Hormone Testing

Pituitary disorders are characterized by an excess or deficiency in one or more of the hormones produced by the pituitary gland and/or by the symptoms caused by the compression of surrounding tissues when a pituitary tumor is present. The pituitary is a pea-sized gland located in the center of the head behind the sinus cavity. It is found at the bottom of the brain, below the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are part of the endocrine system, a group of glands that work together to produce and regulate hormones that affect tissues throughout the body. The hypothalamus communicates with the brain and nervous system. It senses the body’s need for a specific hormone and tells the pituitary when to initiate or increase production of that hormone.

The most common problem with the pituitary is the development of a tumor. While most are benign, they can produce excessive amounts of a specific pituitary hormone, crowd out the production of other hormones, and compress surrounding tissues. The pressure can cause headaches and visual disturbances. Other pituitary disorders can arise from inherited genetic mutations, be congenital, be due to trauma or an impaired blood supply, due to surgical or radiation treatment of a previous pituitary disorder, due to a malignant tumor (rare), or be due to causes that are not yet well understood. The hormone deficiencies and excesses from these disorders can produce a variety of symptoms depending on which hormones and target tissues are affected.

When the hypothalamus is dysfunctional, pituitary hormone production is often affected. Excess or deficient hormone production by the pituitary may also occur if the glands “downstream” from it are dysfunctional. For example, normally the hypothalamus detects thyroid hormone deficiency in the blood and stimulates the pituitary to produce TSH. TSH in turn stimulates thyroid hormone production by the thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is dysfunctional and cannot produce adequate amounts, then blood thyroid hormone levels will remain below normal even though the hypothalamus and pituitary are promoting production. The result is excessive amounts of TSH and deficient thyroid hormone.

A list of both common and rare Pituitary Disorders as stated by The Pituitary Foundation:

1) Common Pituitary Disorders

Pituitary Tumors, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Hypopituitarism, Hyperprolactinemia,
Empty Sella Syndrome, and Diabetes.

2) Rare Pituitary Disorders

Acromegaly and Gigantism, Cushing’s Disease, Nelson’s Syndrome, Kallman’s Syndrome, Pituitary Infarction, and Sheehan’s Syndrome.


The goal with testing for pituitary disorders is to detect excess or deficient hormone production,
determine the cause, and evaluate the severity of the condition. Testing frequently includes both the hormones that the pituitary produces (such as TSH) and the hormones of other endocrine glands that the pituitary is responsible for stimulating (such as the thyroid gland hormone thyroxine). Since pituitary hormones are released as needed, concentrations may be relatively constant in the blood (such as TSH), may vary over the course of a day (such as GH), over a cycle (such as FSH and LH during the menstrual cycle), or be present in specific situations (such as prolactin in a lactating woman or ACTH as a response to a physical or emotional stress). This may lead to the need for suppression or stimulation challenge tests. Medications are given to stimulate or suppress hormone production so that the change can be measured. It may also lead to the measurement of a related test such as the measurement of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), which reflects total GH production, along with the measurement of the hormone (GH).

Relevant Laboratory Tests:

Prolactin
LH (Luteinizing Hormone) and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) and Thyroxine
hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) – to detect pregnancy
ACTH, Cortisol, and Glucose
GH and IGF-1

To purchase any of the above tests simply click on the link above and order online at LabSafe, or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.


All abnormal labs should be evaluated by a Physican for treatment.

Syphilis - The Unexpectedly Emerging STD

SYPHILIS


Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can be easily missed. The first symptom is a painless blister or sore that will disappear on its own. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics. However, if left untreated, the disease can spread throughout your body over the course of many years and cause considerable organ damage.

The latent (hidden) stage of syphilis begins when secondary symptoms disappear. Without treatment, the infected person will continue to have syphilis even though there are no signs or symptoms; infection remains in the body. In the late stages of syphilis, it may subsequently damage the internal organs, including the brain, nerves, eyes, heart, blood vessels, liver, bones, and joints. This internal damage may show up many years later. Signs and symptoms of the late stage of syphilis include difficulty coordinating muscle movements, paralysis, numbness, gradual blindness, and dementia. This damage may be serious enough to cause death.

You should check for Syphilis if you have symptoms of a syphilis infection, if you have another STD, or are pregnant.

Syphilis is passed from person to person through direct contact with syphilis sore. Sores occur mainly on the external genitals, vagina, anus, or in the rectum. Sores also can occur on the lips and in the mouth.

Transmission of the organism occurs during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

In the United States, The Center for Disease Control reported that over the past several years, increases in syphilis has been reported in various cities and areas, including Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Southern California, Miami, and New York City. In the recent outbreaks, high rates of HIV co-infection were documented, ranging from 20 percent to 70 percent. While the health problems caused by syphilis in adults are serious in their own right, it is now known that the genital sores caused by syphilis in adults also make it easier to transmit and acquire HIV infection sexually.

To purchase a Syphilis test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/246/ or visit our website at http://www.labsafe.com/

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

How Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Works in Women And Men

Follicle-stimulating hormone


Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is made by the pituitary gland in the brain. Control of FSH production is a complex system involving hormones produced by the gonads (ovaries or testes), the pituitary, and the hypothalamus. In women, FSH stimulates the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles (eggs) during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This cycle is divided into two phases, the follicular and the luteal, by a mid-cycle surge of FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH). Ovulation occurs shortly after this mid-cycle surge of hormones. During the follicular phase, FSH initiates the production of estradiol by the follicle, and the two hormones work together in the further development of the egg follicle. During the luteal phase, FSH stimulates the production of progesterone. Both estradiol and progesterone help the pituitary control the amount of FSH produced. FSH also facilitates the ability of the ovary to respond to LH. At the time of menopause, the ovaries stop functioning and FSH levels rise. In men, FSH stimulates the testes to produce mature sperm and also promotes the production of androgen binding proteins. FSH levels are relatively constant in males after puberty.

For the medical lab test, a blood sample is drawn by needle from a vein in the arm. Sometimes, a random urine sample may be collected. A 24-hour collection of urine may be requested if your doctor wants to measure FSH levels produced over a 24-hour period. FSH is released intermittently throughout the day and a 24-hour urine collection eliminates problems due to that variation; a random sample might not show the actual activity of the hormone.

The Hormone Foundation stated, “Follicle-stimulating hormone should be evaluated especially in terms of fertility issues”.

To purchase a Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) test simply order online at LabSafe at http://www.labsafe.com/lab-tests/test/359/ or visit our website at www.labsafe.com

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.

Factors in Infertility

Infertility


A woman’s fertility declines substantially by age 35 and even more so after age 40. Common factors in female infertility include blocked fallopian tubes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS interferes with egg release), fibroids, endometriosis, autoimmune disorder (producing antibodies against fetal tissue), diabetes, hypothyroidism, eating disorders, excessive smoking and alcohol use, and gluten intolerance (celiac disease).

The woman’s fertility may also be affected by factors such as fluctuating or diminished hormone levels; inconsistent ovulation; or a poor reproductive environment that does not support proper fertilization of the egg, interferes with the sperm’s transport, or impairs retention of a fertilized egg.

The initial evaluation of a woman’s fertility includes a personal and family history with a thorough physical examination. A number of tests can be used to help diagnose the problem and aid in treatment.

Blood tests: Blood tests that measure the levels of various hormones, such as Luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL), estradiol, and progesterone, aid greatly in determining the cause of infertility.

Because changes in pituitary or thyroid function can also affect the menstrual cycle and ovulation, blood tests that measure thyroid function (TSH and/or T4) and steroids, such as testosterone and DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate is used in creating androgens and estrogens), are also informative.

To purchase a test simply order online at LabSafe by visiting our website at http://www.labsafe.com/

For more information, or to speak with a member of our professional Medical Staff, call LabSafe toll free at 1-888-333-LABS.