What sex hormones to hand over. Brief description of indicators
How to donate blood for hormones? It is important to follow a diet, do not overexert yourself, do not be nervous, and in the morning do not eat anything, do not take medicine, do not smoke, etc.
How are tests done, how to donate blood for thyroid hormones, for female sex hormones? This analysis is very important, the well-being of a woman or a man, her health, her ability to become parents depends on the content of hormones. But, if you do not prepare for this analysis, pass it incorrectly, then this can distort the results. How to prepare for tests, how to properly donate blood for hormones, how to prepare for the procedure?
It is important for both women and men to properly prepare for the test. There are a number of rules that are important to follow for those who decide to take tests. For analysis, blood is taken from a vein. It will require no more than 5 ml of blood.
- It is done on an empty stomach. We all know that it is right to donate blood on an empty stomach. But, when it comes to the analysis of thyroid hormones, everything is more complicated. How to prepare? You can not eat all night, on this day you should refuse breakfast. Tea and coffee are banned. In the morning you can drink one glass of water.
- Choose the right time. The blood test is done between 8 and 9 am. And all because the wrong time of delivery can distort the results. Closer to lunch or evening, the level of thyroid hormones decreases, so it will be difficult to decipher such results, they will be distorted. The best is to take blood 2 hours after the patient wakes up. The same rule applies when testing for female hormones.
- Choose the right day. If you need to take an analysis for female sex hormones, then you should choose the right day: 5-7 after the start of the menstrual cycle in order to decipher the correct results.
- Eat right before testing. Many people know that they donate blood on an empty stomach, but diet is also important. 2 or 3 days before you go to take a test for thyroid hormones, you need to prepare. Eliminate all fatty foods, do not eat pastries, give up alcohol and soda. Prepare low-calorie meals, servings should not exceed 200 g. Those who are tested for thyroid hormones should not eat iodized salt, seafood, fish.
- Forget about physical activity. If you are testing for female sex hormones, forget about physical activity. How else to prepare? Try not to move on the day of blood donation, i.e. can't be rushed. It is right to remain calm, so leave the house early. Calculate the time so that you have time to get to the clinic, undress and sit in front of the office doors for at least 20 minutes. Also, endocrinologists do not advise making love before taking tests. Forget about the bath or sauna.
- Avoid stress. We cannot control our emotions, there are difficult days, but we can avoid stressful situations, not worry about trifles, for example, because of a place in line. It is especially hard for women, who often take everything to heart, but they have to pull themselves together.
- On this day, you can’t brush your teeth or even chew gum, even if you don’t feel comfortable going to the clinic with bad breath.
- Cannot be given to those who are sick. It is not correct to donate blood for hormones during a cold, it is taken only from a healthy person. This analysis is not prescribed for those who drink hormonal drugs. If you are taking other medicines, do not drink them that day in the morning before you go to donate blood. You can not smoke before donating blood for hormones. It is worth giving up vitamins, preparations with iodine, even if you drink them every day.
- If you have recently undergone a tomography, x-ray or ultrasound, warn your doctor about this. He should order a thyroid hormone test 5 days after the examinations or a little later.
Preparing for a specific analysis
We wrote about how to take a blood test for hormones. These are general rules. Now we will take a closer look at each type of analysis, for example, we will briefly talk about testing for female sex hormones.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone Analysis
Anti-Mullerian hormone plays an important role in the body. There is a lot of it in the blood of men, but it is also present in the ovarian follicles of women, in the resting phase. By the amount of this hubbub, you can find out the number of ovarian follicles that have not begun to mature. It is done to a woman to find out how long to wait for menopause, and whether it is possible to conceive a child.
You need to hand it over in a certain period, i.e. on day 3 of the cycle. But sometimes it is carried out a little later. How to prepare for the analysis? As soon as she began menstruating, ie. 3 days before delivery, you need to take care of yourself, avoid stress and physical exertion. One hour before donating blood, you can not smoke, otherwise, after the specialist manages to decipher the results, they will be incorrect.
Analysis for female hormones
Important female sex hormones, they are for the normal functioning of the ovaries. They are taken by those who cannot conceive a child. If after 6 months of regular sexual activity pregnancy does not occur, then this may indicate a malfunction in the endocrine system, ovaries. The most famous female sex hormones are estradiol, estriol. Their production requires the normal functioning of the ovaries.
Progesterone is a male hormone, but it also plays a huge role, the moment when it is produced not only by the adrenal glands, but also by the ovaries, when the egg leaves the follicle, is especially important. When an analysis is given for female sex hormones, it is important to properly prepare.
Women during this period should not be nervous They need to reduce physical activity. For several days, do not eat fatty foods that can affect the functioning of the ovaries, do not drink alcohol, do not smoke, do not have sex. You can not eat 12 hours before she goes to take an analysis for female sex hormones, on this day you can drink water.
Analysis for the thyroid gland
If you need blood for thyroid hormones, how to donate correctly? We have already covered the main points. Most often, attention is paid to thyroid-stimulating hormone or TSH. This thyroid-stimulating hormone ensures that the thyroid gland is working properly.
How to get tested for thyroid-stimulating hormone?
- Cancel hormonal drugs a month before the date of delivery.
- Do not take iodine preparations for 3 days
- Give up bad habits, physical activity.
- Rent on an empty stomach, during this period you can not eat 12 hours.
In any case, before going for this or that analysis, talk to your doctor, ask him in more detail how to take these tests. He should also decide on drug withdrawal issues.
Today, there is an increase in the number of diseases that are associated with the improper functioning of the human endocrine system. This is facilitated by the unfavorable ecological situation, a large number of genetically modified products and hereditary factors. In women, disorders in the endocrine system often provoke various gynecological diseases. In such cases, hormone tests allow you to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment. Therefore, it is very important to know when and which ones to take correctly in order to get the most reliable results. In addition, today research on sex hormones is very much in demand when planning a pregnancy.
Causes of hormonal disruptions and when tests are prescribed
Studies may be ordered if there is any outward sign of hormonal imbalance. They are recommended for:
- diverse delay in sexual development,
- multiple miscarriages,
- menstrual irregularities,
- polycystic ovaries,
- neoplasms in the ovaries,
- the appearance of excess weight without changing the diet,
- skin problems,
- baldness or accelerated growth of body hair.
You need to take these tests at different times. They are assigned to certain days of the cycle, so you should definitely know when to donate blood in order to get a reliable result, which can also be used when planning the birth date of the unborn child.
Preparation for testing
Whenever blood is taken for research, it is necessary to prepare in advance:
- For a few days, it is necessary to reduce physical activity and, if possible, eliminate stressful situations.
- The emotional state of a person on the day of blood sampling should be calm, otherwise the results will be distorted.
- For a few days, eliminate all fatty foods from the diet.
- Give up smoking, alcoholic drinks and sex for a day.
- For 12 hours, completely refuse food, it is allowed to drink only clean water in a small amount.
- It is necessary to stop taking hormonal drugs, including contraceptives, a week before the scheduled examination.
The results of the analyzes can also be influenced by such reasons as infectious diseases, the use of dietary supplements, dieting, stressful conditions, sudden climate change, self-medication, infections of the reproductive system. You should try to eliminate these factors seven days before the study.
Blood for analysis is taken from a vein and sent to the laboratory. Results are usually available the very next day.
Types of the main female sex hormones and features of the test
In the body of a woman, both female sex hormones (estrogens) and male sex hormones (androgens) are produced. It is their balance that ensures the normal development of the female body as a whole. Based on the resulting transcript, you can plan a pregnancy. Female sex hormones are represented by a wide variety of substances, and they largely affect the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Therefore, if there are any deviations, the endocrinologist must appoint a specific day when blood will be taken for research.
Estradiol and estriol
In the group of female hormones, the most significant are estradiol and estriol. They are produced mainly by the ovaries and partly by the adrenal glands. These substances are most indicative in determining the correct functioning of a woman's reproductive function. Estradiol is considered the most active and powerful, but during pregnancy and its planning, estriol comes to the fore. Under the influence of these substances, the female figure and character of a woman are formed. When there is an excess of these substances, an increase in body fat is observed, on the other hand, a deficiency leads to an increase in body hair and premature aging of the skin. The main functions of these substances:
- development of normal primary and secondary sexual characteristics,
- regulation of the menstrual cycle,
- development of the uterus during childbearing,
- egg cell formation.
In case of any failure of these functions, the level of this substance in the blood must be checked. It is correct to take the analysis on the 21-22nd day of the menstrual cycle. A significant upward deviation in the level of these substances may indicate neoplasms in the ovaries. With a decrease, there may be a lack of ovulation and, as a result, the development of infertility.
Progesterone
Despite the fact that this hormone belongs to men, it also plays a significant role for women. Progesterone is produced in small quantities by the adrenal glands, but a very important factor is its production by the ovaries at the time the egg is released from the follicle. This substance is directly responsible for the normal bearing of the fetus, and an insufficient amount of it can lead to miscarriage. In the process of gestation, this hormone is produced up to 16 weeks by the corpus luteum, and subsequently directly by the placenta. Progesterone deficiency does not allow planning a child. Deviations from the normative value are allowed only during pregnancy. In all cases, they are evidence of a serious pathology.
It is correct to take an analysis for progesterone on the 19-23rd day of the menstrual cycle and the indications for it are:
- lack of menstruation or irregular menstruation,
- uterine bleeding,
- infertility,
- risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.
General hormonal examination
For a general examination, if a hormonal imbalance is suspected or when planning a pregnancy, tests for substances produced by the pituitary gland are prescribed. In this case, donating blood for research is required on the 3rd-5th day of the menstrual cycle. Deviations from the normative values can be caused by tumors of the pituitary gland.
Luteinizing hormone in women regulates the work of the gonads in terms of estrogen production, it affects ovulation and the formation of the corpus luteum. In addition, this sex hormone is responsible for many functions of the female body, so an analysis to determine its level can be prescribed in a wide variety of cases:
- with deviations from normal sexual development,
- in the absence of sexual desire,
- with polycystic ovaries,
- with infertility.
An increase in the level of luteinizing hormone can be caused by increased physical exertion associated with sports training, fasting while following diets for weight loss and stressful situations.
Follicle-stimulating hormone ensures the formation and growth of follicles in the ovaries. The maximum level of this substance determines the moment of ovulation. During menopause, an increase in the level of this hormone is considered the norm. In addition, a large amount of this substance appears after X-ray exposure. The study is indicated for:
- violations of sexual development, both delay and acceleration,
- lack of ovulation
- menstrual disorders,
- obesity
- periodic disruptions in the menstrual cycle,
- infertility.
Prolactin plays an important role in the production of progesterone in the female body during pregnancy. In addition, this hormone provides conditions for lactation. Deviations from the norm of this hormone are allowed only when carrying a child, in all other cases this indicates the presence of serious pathologies. Pass tests in the following cases:
- with mastopathy,
- with failures in the menstrual cycle,
- in the absence of ovulation,
- with a decrease in sexual desire,
- with obesity.
Testosterone belongs to the male sex hormones and in the female body is produced in a small amount by the ovaries and adrenal glands. It is responsible for the sexuality of a woman, but also affects the normal functioning of a wide variety of organs and body systems. But perhaps the most important function of the hormone is the effect on the maturation of the follicle in the ovaries, therefore, this study can be carried out when planning a pregnancy.
When conducting an analysis, the level of free testosterone is important, which can confirm the existing hormonal imbalance. Donate blood to determine the amount of testosterone should be on the 6th-10th day of the menstrual cycle. The indications for the appointment of the study are:
- amenorrhea or irregular menstruation
- lack of ovulation
- polycystic ovaries,
- benign tumors in the uterus.
A slight increase in testosterone can be observed in deciphering with great physical exertion. Lack of testosterone is marked by a lack of sexual desire and, as a result, the development of frigidity.
Hormone analysis during pregnancy
The role of sex hormones during childbearing is difficult to overestimate. But at the same time, such a study is not mandatory when registering a pregnant woman. As a rule, this analysis is prescribed by a doctor with a threat of spontaneous miscarriage on any day. Also, deciphering the data can clarify if fetal development with abnormalities is suspected.
Most often, you need to donate blood in order to determine the level of the following substances:
- Progesterone, which is responsible for the successful bearing of the fetus. In most cases, such an analysis is given in the second half of pregnancy on any day in order to monitor how well the placenta copes with the production of this substance. In addition, it is recommended to pass it in cases where the appointed term of childbirth has passed and it is required to establish whether the gestation of the fetus is true or pathological.
- Estradiol and estriol, which are responsible for the successful course of pregnancy. The day of the study is appointed by the doctor as needed. A drop in the level of these substances almost always causes spontaneous miscarriage.
- Alpha-fetoprotein, which is a very important hormone indicating the normal development of the fetus. It is produced directly by the fetus and enters the woman's body through the placenta. When there is a deviation from the norm, this indicates the presence of congenital pathologies.
When there are significant deviations from the norm in any direction in the results, then, as a rule, repeated studies are prescribed in order to eliminate errors. It is important that they are carried out in the same laboratory. Very rarely there is a deviation from the norm of one particular hormone. And when the imbalance affects a group of hormones, this leads to a serious hormonal failure and the inability to plan the timing of the birth of the unborn child. Accurate diagnostics, based on the correct interpretation of the data, will allow qualified doctors of various specializations to conduct timely adequate treatment and eliminate existing problems.
Hormones- biologically active substances that have a complex systemic effect on the body. Thanks to hormones, all types of metabolism in the body are regulated: protein, carbohydrate, lipid and water-salt.
Hormonal regulation ensures the constancy of the internal environment of the body and a quick response to adverse external influences. So, due to the rapid change in the hormonal background, all the forces of the body are mobilized under stressful factors. And the same system provides rest and restoration of the expended energy.
Due to a genetically programmed change in the hormonal background, the body grows, develops and matures. The gradual decrease in the level of hormones in the blood leads to aging. The most complex changes in the hormonal background in a woman's body provide the possibility of the birth of a new life, the normal bearing of a child, childbirth and the lactation process.
Most of the hormones are produced in specialized organs - endocrine glands (endocrine glands). These glands got their name because they secrete their product inside - directly into the blood.
The endocrine glands are subject to the central complex of neuroendocrine regulation, the so-called hypothalamic-pituitary system, located in the brain.
Features of preparation for the delivery of hormonal analysis: in a day it is necessary to exclude sexual contacts and thermal procedures (sauna, bath).
Chorionic gonadotropin
Chorionic gonadotropin is a specific hormone of pregnancy, which is similar in action to gonadotropins (LH and FSH).
Progesterone
Progesterone is the hormone of the corpus luteum of the ovary, which is formed after the release of a mature egg from the follicle. This hormone is necessary for the course of a normal pregnancy, so its concentration increases throughout gestation.
Outside of pregnancy, progesterone levels begin to increase just before ovulation, and reach a maximum in the middle of the luteal phase of the cycle (the interval between the release of the egg and the start of the next menstruation - days 14-28 of the cycle).
A hormonal blood test for progesterone is given on the 22-23rd day of the cycle in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Estradiol
Estradiol is the most active female sex hormone, which is produced in the ovaries, placenta and adrenal cortex under the influence of pituitary gonadotropic hormones.
Hormonal analysis for estradiol is given on the 6-7th day of the cycle in the morning, on an empty stomach.
Estriol
Estriol is a female sex hormone, which is called the main estrogen of pregnancy. When taking a hormonal analysis for estradiol, it should be borne in mind that taking antibiotics and some other medications can significantly reduce the concentration of estriol in the blood.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the main male hormone that determines the development of secondary sexual characteristics, puberty and reproductive function.
In men, most of the testosterone is produced in the testicles, while the smaller part is produced in the adrenal cortex. In women, testosterone is partly formed in the process of transformation from other steroids, as well as in the cells of the inner lining of the follicle and the reticular layer of the adrenal glands.
Hormonal tests for amenorrhea
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding in women of reproductive age for 6 months or more. This is one of the most common sexual dysfunctions in women. There are primary and secondary amenorrhea. Primary is called amenorrhea, when a woman has never menstruated, secondary - when the monthly cycle was present, and then stopped.
It should be noted that in both primary and secondary amenorrhea, first of all, it is necessary to do a pregnancy test (determine the level of HCG (chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood).
Primary amenorrhea
Primary amenorrhea can be caused by a number of reasons, such as congenital anomalies (including chromosomal), infectious or immune damage to the ovaries, tumors of the adrenal glands, and pathologies of the pituitary-hypothalamic system. Depending on the characteristics of the hormonal imbalance, there are four groups of primary amenorrhea:
1.
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism.
2.
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.
3.
Eugonadotropic hypogonadism.
4.
Hyperandrogenemia.
Hypergonadotropic hypogonadism (an increase in the level of pituitary stimulating hormones with a reduced level of ovarian hormones) indicates an ovarian pathology, which may be the result of primary agenesis (underdevelopment) of the ovaries or Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome. This is a chromosomal pathology in which a set of chromosomes (karyotype) lacks one sex chromosome (X0 karyotype).
With hypergonadotropic hypogonadism, there is an increase in the secretion of gonadotropins FSH (especially increased levels of follicle-stimulating hormone in Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome) and LH (luteinizing hormone). Stimulation test with hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) is negative.
To verify the Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome, it is necessary to conduct a study of the karyotype. In addition, it is recommended to do hormonal tests that determine the level of testosterone (male sex hormone) and cortisol (hormone of the adrenal cortex) in the blood.
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (simultaneous decrease in the level of stimulating pituitary hormones and ovarian hormones) indicates damage to the hypothalamic-pituitary system. To determine the level of damage, a stimulation test with GnRH (gonadotropic-releasing hormone) is performed. If, in response to stimulation, the level of the hormone in the blood rises, then we can conclude that the cause of the pathology lies in the insufficient release of releasing factors by the cells of the hypothalamus. If the stimulation test is negative, then the cause of ovarian hypofunction is the pathology of the pituitary gland.
Eugonadotropic hypogonadism (reduced level of ovarian hormones with a normal concentration of gonadotropins in the blood). It occurs with anatomical defects, testicular feminization syndrome, polycystic ovaries.
With anatomical defects leading to amenorrhea, the hormonal status is usually normal.
Thus, with the onset of placental insufficiency, the level of hCG and progesterones decreases, and with the development of chronic placental insufficiency, when fetal suffering is expressed, there is also a decrease in estrogen levels.
With a frozen pregnancy, there is a sharp decrease in the concentration of hCG and estrogens (100% below the average norm).
An increase in the level of hCG is also a very important sign that may indicate a multiple pregnancy or an incorrect determination of the gestational age. In addition, the level of hCG rises in pathological conditions such as early and late pregnancy toxicosis, maternal diabetes mellitus, multiple fetal malformations, Down syndrome.
A reduced level of estradiol, which is observed in anencephaly, intrauterine infection, fetal adrenal hypoplasia, and Down syndrome, may also indicate fetal malformations.
Hormonal blood tests for thyroid pathology
The thyroid gland is an endocrine organ that produces iodine-containing hormones that regulate basal metabolism (maintain energy constancy of the internal environment). So, with an excess of thyroid hormones, all metabolic processes are accelerated, which leads to their mismatch, and with a deficiency, metabolic processes slow down, which negatively affects the activity of organs and tissues. Since thyroid hormones are necessary for the normal functioning of all body cells without exception, organ diseases have systemic manifestations (central nervous activity suffers, vegetative-vascular reactions are disturbed, dystrophic processes occur in the myocardium, and the coordinated activity of the entire endocrine system of the body is disrupted).
Hormonal tests for suspected thyroid pathology
There are characteristic signs of hyperthyroidism:- a sharp decrease in body weight;
- exophthalmos (bulging eyes);
- goiter (pronounced enlargement of the gland).
- bradycardia;
- myxedema (mucous edema);
- endophthalmos (retraction of the eyes);
- hypothermia.
- amenorrhea;
- infertility;
- depression;
- cardiac arrhythmias;
- delayed mental and physical development in children.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Thyroid-stimulating hormone is a hormone from the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the secretion of thyroid hormones.TSH production is characterized by pronounced diurnal fluctuations with a maximum at 2-4 am and a minimum at 5-6 pm. This rhythm is lost during night vigils.
The concentration of TSH physiologically increases during pregnancy and with age (in the latter case, slightly).
The production of TSH is inhibited by thyroid hormones, therefore, with an increase in the level of fractions of its hormones, the concentration of TSH decreases, and with a hypofunction of the gland, it increases.
Fractions of hormones synthesized by the thyroid gland
Fractions of the hormones of this gland are formed under the influence of TSH, and stimulate the basic exchange and absorption of oxygen by the cells of the body.All factions are subject to seasonal and daily rhythms. A physiological decrease in the level of thyroid hormones is observed after the age of 65, an increase occurs during pregnancy, as well as with a rapid increase in body weight.
An increase in the level of fractions of thyroid hormones may indicate its hyperfunction, or the presence of other diseases (hepatitis, nephrotic syndrome, HIV infection, high estrogen levels).
In addition to hypothyroidism, a decrease in thyroid hormone levels is observed in the following cases:
- low protein diet or fasting;
- adrenal insufficiency;
- severe general exhaustion of the body;
- chronic liver diseases.
Total thyroxine (T4 total) is the main iodine-containing thyroid hormone (the gland produces 93% thyroxine, and only 7% triiodothyronine).
The concentration of total T4 has pronounced daily fluctuations with a maximum falling on the period from 8 to 12 o'clock in the afternoon, and a minimum between 23 and 3 o'clock in the morning.
thyroxine free
Thyroxine free (T4 free) is a fraction of T4 that is not associated with proteins. In women, the concentration of free thyroxine is lower than in men, and increases during pregnancy, reaching a maximum in the last trimester.
Triiodothyronine total
Triiodothyronine total (T3 total) is formed in the thyroid gland from T4, and has the same effect, but is 4-5 times more active than its predecessor. This hormone is characterized by seasonal fluctuations: its maximum level is contained in the blood from September to February, the minimum - in the summer.
Triiodothyronine free
The concentration of free triiodothyronine (T3 free) is the non-protein bound fraction of blood triiodothyronine. The level of free T3 physiologically decreases in the last trimester of pregnancy.
Hormones of the adrenal cortex. Symptoms indicating cortical pathology
adrenal glands
Biological action of adrenal hormones
The adrenal cortex produces several dozen different hormones, which can be divided into three groups:1. Glucocorticoids.
2. Mineralocorticoids.
3. Adrenal androgens.
Glucocorticoids are the most important hormones of the adrenal cortex and, as the name implies, regulate glucose metabolism, having the opposite effect of insulin. They increase the level of glucose in the blood, causing its synthesis and reducing its uptake by peripheral tissues. So with an increase in the concentration of glucocorticoids, the so-called steroid diabetes develops.
In addition, glucocorticoids are involved in protecting the body from stress and shock, have a powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect.
Mineralocorticoids regulate water-salt metabolism, contributing to the maintenance of blood pressure and the preservation of water, sodium and chlorine in the body. With an increase in the concentration of mineralocorticoids in the body, hypertension and edematous syndrome develop.
Adrenal androgens are secreted in small quantities, so that their action becomes noticeable only in the case of pathology (masculinization of women with tumors of the adrenal cortex, etc.).
All hormones of the adrenal cortex are secreted under the influence of the hormone of the anterior pituitary gland - ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). In this case, regulation occurs by the type of feedback: with a decrease in the production of hormones of the adrenal cortex, the secretion of ACTH increases - and vice versa.
Clinical manifestations of hormonal imbalance requiring analysis
levels of adrenal hormones in the blood
Hypoproduction of hormones of the adrenal cortex is called Addison's disease
. This is a fairly rare disease that has the following symptoms: - increasing muscle weakness, constant feeling of fatigue;
- reduced blood pressure with increased heart rate;
- irritability, tendency to depression, anxiety;
- loss of appetite and weight, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain;
- the formation of dark spots on exposed skin;
- craving for salty foods, constant thirst;
- excess urine in the presence of symptoms of dehydration.
Less often, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome develops with hyperplastic processes of the adrenal cortex, as well as with prolonged treatment with glucocorticoid medications, and has very characteristic symptoms:
alcoholism, some neuropsychiatric diseases, sometimes during pregnancy. In such cases, they speak of Pseudo-Cushing's syndrome, or functional hypercortisolism.
We hand over hormonal tests in case of suspected pathology of the cortex
adrenal glands
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates the production of hormones from the adrenal cortex.An increase in indicators occurs with primary insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, as well as with tumors that produce ACTH.
A decrease in the level of ACTH is observed with insufficient production of the anterior pituitary gland, as well as with hormone-producing tumors of the adrenal cortex (inhibition of synthesis by the feedback principle).
cortisol
The main glucocorticoid of the adrenal cortex, which is characterized by a pronounced daily rhythm with a maximum in the morning (6-8), and a minimum in the evening (20-22). It should be remembered that during pregnancy there is a physiological increase in the concentration of cortisol in the blood.
Aldosterone
Major mineralocorticoid of the adrenal cortex. Hormonal analysis for aldosterone is mandatory prescribed for high blood pressure, and during the diagnosis of renal failure, as well as to monitor treatment in patients with heart failure.A physiological increase in the level of aldosterone is observed during pregnancy, salt-free diet, increased water and physical activity.
Many people before the blood donation procedure are interested in how to donate blood for hormones. There are several rules that must be followed in order for the analyzes to be correct and accurate. First you need to figure out where to donate blood for hormones. Not every hospital does this, so you need to get a referral from a doctor. After that, the doctor will dictate all the conditions that must be met before donating blood fluid.
How to donate blood for hormone analysis
Blood for hormones (the price of the analysis depends on the clinic, its methods and other factors) is given at the request of the doctor or at the request of the patient. Raw materials for analysis must be taken from the veins. Most often, the doctor makes a puncture in the elbow area. In most cases, no more than 5 ml of liquid will be needed for the study.
How does nutrition affect tests?
Food that has been previously eaten can spoil the raw material, making the data not as accurate as it should be. Many people think whether they need to donate blood for hormones on an empty stomach or not. Of course, there are special cases where raw materials need to be analyzed as quickly as possible. In this case, its sampling is carried out very quickly, while not paying attention to whether the patient ate before or not. However, according to the terms of the study, it is necessary to hold out on an overnight fast on the day before passing the liquid. In addition, the patient is also forbidden to eat in the morning.
Many people do not know how to properly donate blood for hormones, so they make mistakes after having breakfast. This distorts the data obtained during the study, so that it will not be possible to establish a clear diagnosis after deciphering the parameters. Do not even drink coffee or tea. It is permissible to drink a glass of pure water without any additives. The day before the day of delivery of liquids, it is forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages. You will have to quit smoking.
How does the timing of blood donation affect tests?
Particular attention is paid to the time of delivery of liquid for research. It is very important to complete the entire procedure in the morning. For example, the optimal hours would be from 8 to 9 am. This is due to the fact that many hormones have a certain mode by which they are released. For example, blood for thyroid hormones (how the doctor tells you to donate) is necessary for the analysis of thyroid-stimulating hormone.
It is he who is necessary in order to analyze the functionality of the thyroid gland. This substance will have a maximum volume in the human body, more precisely in its blood fluid, between 7 and 8 o'clock in the morning. Then its volume will gradually begin to decrease. Moreover, by noon the volume will decrease several times, which is inconvenient for the examination. If the liquid for analysis was collected after 11 am, then the data will be incorrect, and this may lead the doctor astray, because. he will misjudge the data so that the study is meaningless.
How does the menstrual cycle affect the tests
Women often think about the fact that blood for hormones should be donated on which day of the cycle. For example, women should remember before taking fluids for hormonal testing that individual hormones that are responsible for the sexual functions of the body are clearly dependent on the woman's menstrual cycle and its phases. These substances include FSH, prolactin, estradiol, progesterone, and LH. The guidelines for the investigation and analysis of these substances have been developed exclusively for a particular phase. The beginning of the cycle is called the follicular stage. The middle part of the cycle is known as the ovulatory period, and the end period is called the luteal period. If the doctor did not give any clear instructions regarding the examination, then it is understood that the liquid must be taken approximately 5-8 days from the beginning of the entire cycle, and it is necessary to count from the first day of menstruation.
How exercise affects hormones
Many hormones and their secretion depend on physical activity. For example, such compounds include cortisol, prolactin, catecholamine, insulin, and others. Their volumes in human blood vessels can change dramatically under various loads on the body. The same applies to stressful situations. For example, changes in hormonal levels can be dramatically affected by hypothermia, emotional stress, infection, frostbite, trauma of a mental or physiological nature, and so on.
In this regard, physical exercises will have to be abandoned a few days before taking fluid for research. In addition, it is necessary to refrain from mental and emotional stress. It is also forbidden to donate fluid for examination if he has an elevated body temperature due to an infectious disease.
How does taking medication affect hormones?
Blood for thyroid hormones or sex hormones must be donated so that before this there was no intake of various medications. All medicines contain foreign substances that can change the hormonal background. If you take medications before the examination, then donating blood for hormones, the decoding of which will be incorrect, is not worth it. For example, Cerucal affects prolactin. As a result, the amount of the hormone in the blood fluid increases dramatically. Because of this, the diagnosis will be incorrect. Phenazepam and other medicines have the same effect. If possible, then taking all medications should be canceled a week before the appointed day for taking blood fluid. If it is impossible to cancel the drugs, then the doctor must be warned about their use.
How diseases affect the production of hormones and the analysis of hormonal levels in the blood fluid
If the patient is sick, then the doctor must also be warned about this. This is important because various diseases change the hormonal background of the patient, so the data obtained during the examination will be incorrect. It is best to cure the disease and only then proceed to donate blood fluid for analysis. But if this is not possible, then the doctor should be warned about it. Many diseases have been established that affect the internal organs and at the same time lead to an increase or decrease in the production of various hormones. For example, such diseases include chronic kidney and liver diseases. Some connective tissue diseases that are systemic in nature also lead to changes.
It is best to donate blood fluid early in the morning, and this must be done no later than 2 hours after the woman woke up. The volume of production of hormones that are responsible for the functions of the reproductive organs can largely depend on the menstrual cycle and its phases.
For example, prolactin must be taken on the 22nd day of the cycle if the cycle is only 28 days. Otherwise, you can calculate the 7th day after ovulation, if a study was previously done at the expense of ovulation. Dihydrotestosterone can be studied on any day of the cycle. But estradiol, androstenedione, LH, FSH and others are best taken between the 2nd and 5th day, counting from the first day of menstruation. But this must be done if the cycle is 28 days. If the cycle contains more days, then you can count between 5 and 7 days. If the cycle is only 21-23 days, then you need to donate fluid on the 2nd or 3rd day after the onset of menstrual bleeding.
male sex hormones
Male hormones include dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and testosterone. Many women believe that they need to study these hormones, but in reality it is not so. They are also necessary for the woman's body, although, of course, they affect it to a lesser extent. For example, all androgens affect the sexual desire of individuals of both sexes. So if their number in the circulatory system is sharply reduced, then this leads to violations of a person's libido. In addition, testosterone affects the functionality of many organ systems. For example, it affects the sebaceous glands, skeleton, muscles, brain, and more. In addition, it must be taken into account that the sex hormones of women are formed on the basis of testosterone. During menopause, the normal level is 1.7 pg per ml. But for women who are of reproductive age, the norm is 4.1 pg per ml.
Thyroid hormones
Your doctor may order a blood test to test your thyroid hormones in some cases. Firstly, it is necessary when there are violations in the functionality of the mass of the gland. The doctor determined this based on the symptoms, but further testing is needed to confirm hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Secondly, repeated analyzes are prescribed in order to check the effectiveness of therapeutic therapy, and then to correct it. Thirdly, such an analysis can be prescribed after surgery. In addition, it is necessary for pregnant women, as well as people who live in areas with iodine deficiency. In some cases, such a study is required when a woman uses hormonal contraceptives or is being treated for infertility.
Hormones affect various processes occurring in organs and physiological functions. The amount of hormones depends on many factors: age, the period of the menstrual cycle in a woman, on nervous, physical, mental stress and many other circumstances, among which, oddly enough, there is even the time of day and the period of the last meal. Hormonal failure can be an indicator of diseases of the endocrine system and serious health problems. To determine the hormonal background, tests are carried out. With their help, for example, it is possible to determine the state of the organs responsible for reproduction. What hormones donate blood?
Prolactin
The production of this hormone promotes ovulation (the release of a mature egg from the ovary as a result of rupture of the follicle). It also plays an important role in lactation after childbirth. Deviation from the norm of the intensity of prolactin production can affect the period of egg maturation and lead to infertility. The production of the hormone during the day is pulsating. Its level rises during sleep and drops sharply upon awakening. In the follicular phase of the cycle, its level is lower than in the luteal phase. A woman can take a blood test twice a month, and at least half an hour before the procedure, she should be completely at rest.
Follicle stimulating hormone
The tasks of this hormone in the body of a future mother are to stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles (components that include an egg surrounded by epithelial cells and connective tissue), to secrete estrogens.
In men, it affects the development of the testicular efferent tubules, as well as the production of testosterone.
luteinizing hormone
Its amount is inversely related to the follicle-stimulating one: an increase in the production of one leads to a decrease in the production of the other.
In women, the formation of the ovarian corpus luteum after ovulation and the production of progesterone (yellow body hormone) depend on luteinizing hormones, in men, the rate of seed maturation and the intensity of testosterone production.
Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone
In women, sex hormones manifest themselves differently at certain periods of the cycle. So, estradiol (one of the estrogens) is produced in the first half of the cycle by the ovarian follicle, and in the second - by the yellow body that appeared in its place.
Estrogens are hormones belonging to the steroid group. They are produced by the ovarian follicles in women, in small quantities they are also secreted in the male body by the adrenal cortex and testicles.
The main and most active hormone related to estrogens is estradiol. In the female body, he is responsible for the development of the egg, the formation of the menstrual cycle.
Progesterone is a hormone produced by the corpus luteum in a woman and is responsible for maintaining the fetus in the womb. You should take an analysis for progesterone after 2-3 weeks from the beginning of the cycle.
Testosterone is secreted in men in the testicles. Its deficiency causes sexual dysfunction. The production of testosterone is also carried out in women (ovaries and adrenal glands). Its excess in the female body can lead to miscarriage.
Thyroid
A very common cause of many diseases is the lack of substances that are produced by the thyroid gland. These elements affect the nervous system, the functioning of the genital organs, the formation of germ cells, the course of pregnancy and the body as a whole. Blood for thyroid hormones can be donated at any clinic.
Proper analysis
How to donate blood for hormones? Her fence is made from a vein. The main purpose of this analysis is to determine the level of thyroid, adrenal and pituitary hormones. Other studies are assigned individually.
To get a more accurate result, when taking an analysis for hormones, you should follow a few rules:
Blood sampling is carried out on an empty stomach;
. the test result can be affected by nervous strain, therefore, immediately before the analysis, one must be at rest for some time;
. about a week before donating blood, you will have to forget about alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, tea, the body must be completely cleansed of substances that have a psychotropic effect;
. you should not take medicines a week before donating blood (if you cannot refuse to take vital drugs, you must definitely tell your doctor about it);
. on the eve of the analysis, one should not physically and mentally overstrain;
. it is important for women to remember that the results of the analysis depend on the period of the menstrual cycle (a certain group of hormones is examined only in a separate period of the cycle);
. women should be tested for follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones on days 3-8 and 19-21 of the monthly cycle (men do not need to observe any deadlines for taking the test).
Important Points
Hormonal substances are the most important regulators of normal human life. The method of studying the work of the organs responsible for their production is a blood test.
According to the content and concentration of certain hormones, it is possible to identify the presence of deviations, to diagnose the disease. How to donate blood for hormones? The main factors influencing the results of the analyzes are the following: food intake, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, sexual contact. Be sure to inform your doctor about pregnancy, menopause, taking hormonal drugs, even if the course of treatment has recently ended. The timing of the test is also important: different hormones in women are examined on specific days of the menstrual cycle. The countdown is from the day the bleeding started.
Consider in detail how to donate blood for hormones
Progesterone is a sex hormone that ensures the normal course of pregnancy. It is taken on the 20-22nd day of the cycle. On the eve of the analysis, sexual intercourse should be excluded. Blood sampling is performed on an empty stomach, ten hours after the last meal.
Testosterone is the hormone of passion and sexuality. Being, in fact, male, in the body of a woman it provides attractiveness and eroticism. An analysis of sex hormones is perhaps the most unpretentious, and can be carried out both at the beginning of the menstrual cycle and in its middle.
Estradiol is the hormone of femininity. This estrogen forms not only a graceful figure, but also a soft character. The study is carried out on the 2-5th or on the 19-20th day of the cycle. At least eight hours must have passed since the last meal. On the eve, you should cancel physical exercises and stress, do not conduct medical examinations, such as x-rays, ultrasound, FG, and do not smoke.
In a similar period, FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) are given. In some cases, for an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to monitor the level of LH in dynamics. How to donate blood for hormones? Liquid tissue for analysis is taken daily for 10 days before the expected onset of menstruation. The rules for preparing for the study are similar to those described above, however, physical activity should be excluded even earlier - three days in advance.
Prolactin is a hormone that ensures the proper development of the mammary glands and lactation. A day before the study, it is necessary to exclude sexual contact, a hot bath or other thermal exposure, for one to two hours before blood sampling - do not smoke and do not worry.
Cortisol is an adrenal hormone that affects water-salt balance and blood pressure. During the day, the level of hormones in the body changes, so a medical study is carried out strictly in the morning, on an empty stomach. Eliminate smoking an hour before the test, as nicotine increases cortisol levels. After consulting with your doctor, stop taking prescribed medications two weeks in advance. For a day you need to give up sports training.
Why donate blood for thyroid hormones? Their presence determines the normal homeostasis in the human body. The rules for preparing for analyzes can be reduced to the following fundamental principles: you should stop taking hormonal drugs for a month, iodine-containing drugs for a week, you should give up sports activities the day before, do not carry out radiopaque procedures, avoid stressful situations, donate blood for TSH hormones in the morning on an empty stomach .
Pregnancy is one of the most exciting and unforgettable periods in a family's life. Every woman dreams of spending this time in a joyful and calm expectation of a baby. To avoid worries and worries about the health of the unborn child, it is better to approach pregnancy planning with all responsibility.
First of all, visit a doctor and tell him in detail about the state of your health. Examination for hormones is not mandatory when planning a pregnancy, but can be prescribed to spouses who have problems conceiving.
You will receive a referral for testing if you have the following symptoms:
Menstrual irregularities.
. Overweight.
. Male pattern hair.
. Frequent mood swings.
. Sleep problems and chronic fatigue.
. Previous unsuccessful pregnancies (miscarriage, etc.).
. For a year or more, it is not possible to conceive a child.
. Age over 35 years.
. Other symptoms (reduced libido, headaches, painful menstruation).
Below is a list of hormones responsible for a trouble-free pregnancy:
Progesterone is produced in women in the second half of the menstrual cycle. One of its names is "pregnancy hormone". During this period, its concentration in the blood increases by about 100 times. The hormone prepares the inner layer of the uterus for bearing the fetus, and also prevents muscle contraction, which significantly reduces the likelihood of a miscarriage. The merit of progesterone can be considered the presence of maternal instinct in women.
The level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in the body of the fair sex is one of the important indicators of the health of the reproductive system. This element is responsible for the development of the egg, as well as for the production of equally important female health hormones - estrogen. In men, FSH is involved in spermatogenesis.
Estrogens are responsible for the growth and development of the fetus, for preparing the female body for breastfeeding. Estradiol, which is part of the estrogen hormone group, has an important effect on the development of the placenta and the prevention of miscarriage.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) in both men and women affects reproductive function. In women, the LH surge in the middle of the cycle stimulates ovulation, promotes the production of progesterone. During pregnancy, LH levels should be low.
Prolactin provides the process of milk formation, reduces the sensitivity of the mother during breastfeeding. The production of prolactin in large quantities during lactation inhibits the process of ovulation. This prevents a woman from getting pregnant while breastfeeding.
Testosterone belongs to the male hormones, but is also produced by the female body (in a much smaller amount). A large amount of testosterone in a lady can lead to a lack of ovulation. If a woman is already in a position, then an increase in the level of the male hormone can lead to such unpleasant consequences as a miscarriage, pregnancy fading (an excess of the hormone slows down and even stops the growth of the uterus), as well as “habitual miscarriage”, in which the fair sex constantly loses children for various time frames.
Hormones have a huge impact on the development and life of the fetus, therefore, during the planning of pregnancy, it is necessary to seriously approach examinations that reveal their level in the body of the expectant mother.
There are some rules that are very important to follow in order for the hormone analysis to be the most informative. The material is taken in the morning and on an empty stomach. The day before the examination, you should refrain from physical exertion, avoid stressful situations, give up fatty foods and smoking. If a woman is already pregnant, then she may be assigned a study on the level of hormones in the body.
It should be noted that each laboratory uses its own methods. So in order for the analyzes not to differ radically, it is advisable to do them in the same laboratory. Then there will be noticeable changes.
What to do before analysis
1. Stop taking all prescribed medications. If this cannot be done, tell the doctor about it.
2. Do not drink alcohol for at least a few days.
3. Do not eat high-calorie foods before donating blood.
4. Don't smoke.
5. Do an analysis on an empty stomach. Half a day before that, drink water without sugar and gas.
6. Do not expose the body to physical stress.
7. Before passing the analysis, having entered the room, it would be good to rest, relax, calm down, come to your senses.
8. If before taking blood for hormones in the last 3-5 days you had to undergo an X-ray, scan or ultrasound, ask your doctor if it is really necessary to be examined at this time or you can wait a bit. Do not forget that hormone tests done in several laboratories differ from each other. This is because they use different equipment. It is advisable to take all the necessary studies in one place all the time.
Blood for sex hormones is not at all necessary to donate during pregnancy. Of course, this applies to healthy women who have no complaints. A doctor may decide that it is still necessary to donate blood for hormones in a number of situations:
1. If you suspect a threat of miscarriage. Among the main reasons for concern are the presence of miscarriages in history, irregular menstruation. In such cases, they usually donate blood to determine the level of prolactin, progesterone, cortisol.
2. With an already existing threat of miscarriage or fetal death. In such cases, the expectant mother should be tested for hCG (chorionic gonadotropin, hCG). It is taken between the 4th and 12th week, 2 times a week. If you donate blood for hormones so often, the rate will be easily regulated by medication, which, in turn, will help maintain the pregnancy.
3. If there is a suspicion of various defects in the development of the fetus (Down syndrome, developmental delay, microcephaly), a woman takes a test at 14-18 weeks for the amount of three hormones in the blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), hCG, free estriol. Their level can also be influenced by external factors, so do not forget about the rules:
Blood is taken in the morning and always on an empty stomach (tea without sugar is allowed, but food should not be taken within the previous 12 hours).
The quantity and quality of food can significantly affect the test results, therefore, one day before the analysis, it is not recommended to overeat, eat fatty, sweet, spicy foods, or significantly change the diet. You should give up alcohol and smoking.
A day before the analysis, you need to avoid stressful situations, reduce physical activity, you can not have sex and be nervous. If these recommendations are followed, the analysis will show the most accurate results.
If you have already donated blood for hormones, decoding will not take long. A diagnosis based on the results of a hormonal study can only be made by a doctor. Appropriate conclusions are made taking into account additional factors (data on the examination of the patient, anamnesis, etc.)
Where to donate blood for hormones
If you received a referral for analysis from a local doctor, you can take it right at the clinic in the morning. If for some reason you want to donate blood for hormones for a fee, the prices will pleasantly surprise you (the procedure will cost from 300 rubles). Plus, you don’t have to stand in lines, and the result of the examination will be in your hands much faster.
If you donate blood for hormones for a fee, you will not need to decipher a specialist, since the result of an analysis from a medical institution is understandable even to a person who does not have the appropriate education. The answer reflects both your indicator and the interval of the norm.
Do not take tests after undergoing physiotherapy, x-rays, rectal examination. The results of hormonal studies in women of reproductive age can be affected by the menstrual cycle. So this period must be taken into account when donating blood for progesterone, prolactin, estradiol, estriol, as well as for FSH hormones. Passing tests for sex hormones and growth hormone, you need to follow the advice of doctors about the recommended time for testing.
Other studies, such as growth hormone analysis, do not require any special preparations. Nevertheless, we note that consultation with a specialist before conducting them will not be superfluous. One way or another, compliance with the basic principles of preparation will allow the results of the analyzes to be more informative. Don't forget about your health. From time to time, for prevention, take tests and control the level of vital hormones.
