Hormones are very active substances that are found in the body in small quantities, but at the same time have a significant impact on its functioning. Determination of their amount in the blood allows you to judge the state of human health in general, as well as its individual organs and systems.
These substances are released in the endocrine glands:
- thyroid and pancreas;
- pituitary gland;
- gonads;
- adrenal glands.
Each hormone must be contained in the blood in a certain amount. The norm depends on the age and gender of the person, and in women it depends on the day of the cycle and gestational age. An increased or decreased value of even one hormone can lead to changes in the body. However, since everything is interconnected, this often provokes an imbalance in the entire endocrine system.
It is recommended to donate blood for hormones with sudden weight loss and weight gain, hair loss, pregnancy and preparation for it, pathologies of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, infertility, strong hair growth on the face and body of women, skin problems, impotence, early menopause, psychological problems . These substances affect our character, temperament, sexuality, growth, physique, fertility.
You can take a blood test for hormones in any modern laboratory. However, to obtain reliable results, it is necessary to properly prepare for it. The day before should exclude physical and emotional stress, overheating. A doctor must be warned about taking medication.
With the delivery of sex hormones, sex is excluded the day before. When examining the thyroid gland, you need to refuse to take iodine. You can not take an analysis at elevated temperatures and infectious diseases.
It is necessary to examine blood for hormones on an empty stomach and in the morning - this is the main condition. On the eve of the study, you should give up alcohol, and one hour before the analysis - do not smoke. Some hormones should be given to women on specific days of the cycle, which must be checked with your doctor.
Before taking the analysis, you need to sit for half an hour: relax and calm down. If you have experienced stress, it is best to go through the study another time. Try not to rush anywhere, not worry about the long line, if you donate blood to hormones. A person should be in a state of complete physical and emotional rest.
So, the level of which homons can be checked today:
- thyroid gland (general and free T3 and T4);
- pituitary gland (prolactin, LH, FSH, TSH);
- sex hormones (estriol, estradiol, testosterone, progesterone);
- adrenal glands (ACTH, DHEA-sulfate, DEA-sulfate, cortisol);
- parathyroid glands (parathyroid hormone);
- prenatal diagnosis (growth hormone, C-peptide, osteocalcin, 17-OH progesterone, PAPP-A, B-hCG, SHBG, 17-KS, prenatal screening).
Only a qualified doctor should send and interpret its results. This may be an endocrinologist, gynecologist, oncologist and a number of other specialists. Examining blood for hormones is not an expensive pleasure, but often the only way to make a diagnosis. In addition, several necessary analyzes from the list are usually assigned, and not all at once.
So, factors that can disable the hormonal system:
- genetic predisposition;
- genital surgery;
- abortions
- frequent acute respiratory infections;
- malnutrition;
- psycho-emotional stress;
- food intoxication.
Hormone rates must be indicated on the result form. They depend on the test systems used in a particular laboratory. When passing the test, women must indicate the gestational age or day of the cycle.
So, patients donate blood to hormones in the direction of various specialists. Only a qualified doctor can correctly interpret the results and prescribe treatment. To obtain reliable data, analysis must be done correctly.