Hormone & Neurotransmitter Testing

Hormone Neurotransmitter Testing is a very useful tool in diagnosing issues that impact your health. Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers. Produced in the endocrine glands, these powerful chemicals travel around your bloodstream telling tissues and organs what to do.

They help control many of your body’s major processes, including metabolism and reproduction.

Types of Hormone & Neurotransmitter Testing

* Salivary Testing for Hormone Levels
* Salivary Testing for Adrenal Cortisol Levels & Function
* Urinary Testing for Neurotransmitter Levels

Hormone Testing Service Anchorage Alaska

How Can Hormone & Neurotransmitter Testing Help You?

Menopause

Menopause is a gradual process that may take years. The years leading up to menopause are known as peri-menopause, during which progesterone levels decline significantly while estrogen levels create an imbalanced ratio with progesterone levels, creating what is known as an estrogen dominance.

Estrogen dominance/progesterone insufficiency during peri-menopause can contribute to symptoms including hot flashes, irritability, menstrual & libido changes, depression/anxiety, weight gain, facial hair growth, and bone density loss.

During menopause, the androgens testosterone & DHEA can decrease or increase, contributing to increased abdominal fat, weight gain, scalp hair loss, and fatigue. Assessing cortisol levels during this transition is also important, as increasing/decreasing levels can contribute to sleep changes, mood changes, metabolism changes, declining energy levels, and hot flashes/night sweats.

Simple take-home test kits that collect salivary and urine samples are available for your convenience to begin the process of restoring graceful aging and optimal wellness.

Low T/Andropause for Men

Male menopause, andropause, refers to a decrease in testosterone relative to a ratio of increased estrogen dominance starting in the late 30’s/early 40’s of a man’s life. Gradual changes in these hormone levels can lead to development of the following: decreased muscle tone, abdominal weight gain, low libido/erectile dysfunction, depression/anxiety, urinary changes, and fatigue.

The decrease in testosterone levels can also contribute significantly to a condition called metabolic syndrome, which is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease (CAD).

Salivary hormone testing with take-home test kits is the best and easiest way to assess your active hormone levels of testosterone, estrogen/progesterone, DHEA, cortisol, and melatonin (no needles) and begin the road back to vitality and optimal wellness.

Anxiety/Depression

Many people have heard of the neurotransmitters (NT’s) dopamine, serotonin, epinephrine & norepinephrine but may not really know their roles in promoting a healthy and well-balanced life. These NT’s help the brain balance the highs and lows of feelings/emotions and manage the hormonal signals that are sent to other organs in the body.

Dopamine is referred to as the ‘feel good’ NT because it is responsible for motivation, drive, and positive feelings such as being in love, exercising, and sexual activity. Low levels can lead to addictive/compulsive behavior, low energy, and poor concentration.

Serotonin is noted for its role in mental/emotional well-being.  Low levels can greatly contribute to anxiety, depression, sleep cycle disruptions, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and PMS.

Epinephrine/nor-epinephrine, also known as “adrenaline/nor-adrenaline,” are vital to the management of the body’s stress response, known as the “fight-or-flight response.” High levels are associated with anxiety, elevated blood pressure, hyperactivity, and sleep cycle disruptions. Low levels are associated with fatigue, poor concentration, depression, and poor motivation.

This take-home test kit involves a simple urine sample collection, no needles, and can start the assessment and treatment approach to a healthier, balanced life.

Insomnia

Many people, of all ages and from all walks of life, experience sleep cycle disruptions collectively known as insomnia. Having difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, feeling unrefreshed in the morning, tossing & turning? The root cause of most of these issues arises from an imbalance of neurotransmitters (NT’s).

NT’s two classes are stimulating and calming. Too much production of stimulating NT’s can inhibit your ability to readily fall asleep, while insufficient production of calming NT’s can interfere with your ability to stay asleep through the night. Either scenario, or a combination of both, can deprive a person of the all-important REM sleep and deep sleep, which are essential for repairing and replenishing the body, and can even hinder dream production.

A simple take-home urinalysis kit is all you need to identify the imbalances in NT’s and begin a natural treatment regimen to restore the NT’s and provide a refreshing and regenerative sleep cycle.

Dr. David M. Newirth is a naturopathic doctor and operator of Alaska Natural Health Solutions in Anchorage, AK. He can be contacted @ 907-569–5757.