Sex Hormones Profile (estrogens, androgens, progesterones)
Doctor's Data
Sample type: Urine
Requires fasting: No
At home test
Details
The Sex Hormones Profile provides a broad overview of sex steroid hormones, their metabolites, and the efficiency of the enzymes that metabolize these hormones. This non-invasive test requires only 4 or 5 separate urine collections. Because the breakdown of hormones relies so heavily on processes within the liver, this test can also elucidate areas of interest as it pertains to conjugation of each metabolite. Additionally, testing urinary hormone metabolites can contribute to further understanding of endogenous hormone secretion, supplemental hormone utilization, enzyme activity, oxidative stress, and insight into whether your body is safely metabolizing hormones.
This profile is a consideration for patients with concerns that are particular to sex hormones and/or monitoring for harmful metabolites due to the influence of HRT/BHRT.
- Etiocholanolone
- 16-Hydroxyestrone
- 5a-Dihydrotestosterone
- Epi-Testosterone
- 5b-Androstanediol
- 5a-Androstanediol
- Androsterone
- Testosterone
- Estradiol, Urine
- Estrone, Urine
- Progesterone, Urine
- 21-Hydroxyprogesterone
- 11-Hydroxy-Etiocholanolone
- 11-Hydroxy-Androsterone
- Allopregnanolone
- 5b-pregnanediol
- 5-pregnanetriol
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
- 4-hydroxysterone (4-oh-e1)
- 2-methoxyestrone (2-m-e1)
- 4-methoxyestrone (4-m-e1)
- 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-oh-e2)
- 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-oh-e2)
- 2-methoxyestradiol (2-m-e2)
- 4-methoxyestradiol (4-m-e2)
- Creatinine/day
- 2-hydroxyesterone (2-oh-e1)
- 5a-pregnanediol (5a-pd)
- 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Urine
- Androstenedione, Urine
Estimated days for results: Results should arrive 5 to 7 days after the lab receives samples.
The Sex Hormones Profile reports not only important markers and metabolites, but it also calculates the relationship of catechol estrogens (2OHE1, 4OHE1, and 16OHE1) representative of phase 1 detox as well as phase 2 activity of the COMT enzyme via methoxy estrogen ratios. Understanding how catechol estrogens break down as well as the rate of methylation, which renders potentially harmful metabolites inactive, can help mitigate risk and determine individualized treatment. Determining the preference for 5-alpha vs. 5-beta is desirable for optimal health. 5α-reductase converts testosterone into the metabolite 5α-DHT which is three times more potent than testosterone. Symptoms associated with higher androgen levels (thinning hair, acne, etc.) are often seen when levels of 5α-reductase and its corresponding metabolites are elevated. Additionally, the activity of aromatase (CYP19) is an integral part of the health of both men and women. Aromatase is more active in peripheral tissues increasing estrogens in males as well as the main source of estrogens in the postmenopausal female.
Determining the activity of aromatase can assist with understanding the root cause of lower testosterone as well as estrogen dominance. Progesterone is found in the urine in very small quantities due to its molecular structure making it difficult to obtain without sensitive LCMS testing methodologies. The Sex Hormones Profile measures the metabolites of progesterone, (5α-pregnanediol and 5β-pregnanediol), and also progesterone itself. This level will be of particular interest to practitioners prescribing oral progesterone as they may now track the metabolism of progesterone into its metabolite allopregnanolone, known to have GABA like effects for sleep and relief of anxiety.
Determining the activity of aromatase can assist with understanding the root cause of lower testosterone as well as estrogen dominance. Progesterone is found in the urine in very small quantities due to its molecular structure making it difficult to obtain without sensitive LCMS testing methodologies. The Sex Hormones Profile measures the metabolites of progesterone, (5α-pregnanediol and 5β-pregnanediol), and also progesterone itself. This level will be of particular interest to practitioners prescribing oral progesterone as they may now track the metabolism of progesterone into its metabolite allopregnanolone, known to have GABA like effects for sleep and relief of anxiety.
5–7 business days
- Add-on: Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile
- Add-on: DNA Oxidative Damage Assay
- Add-on: NeuroBasic Profile
- Add-on: Urine Amino Acids
Please follow the preparation and collection instructions provided in the kit.
Patient Collection Instructions
Patient Collection Instructions
BEFORE YOU START: Please read all of the instructions in the sample collection kit carefully.
Collect urine on days that are determined by you and your provider. We recommend that you adhere to your most common sleep schedule and collect your urine samples as close as possible to the times specified on page 5 of the instructions included in the sample collection kit. Shift workers should adapt the collection times in accordance with sleep schedule.
Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your provider. Please do not send any medications with your kit.
Collection Schedule Summary
Please follow instructions included in sample collection kit.
Day 1 Collection
#1 Dinnertime: collect within 1-2 hours prior to eating dinner
#2 Bedtime: collect within 1 hour prior to sleep
Mid Sleep
Midsleep: collect only if you wake to urinate while sleeping
Day 2 Collection
#3 Waking: collect within 10 mins of waking
#4 Post-waking: collect after 2-4 hours
What days of the month should I collect?
- Men, post-menopausal women, and those testing only corticoids: collect any day.
- Women with menstrual cycles: begin the collection between days 19 and 23 of a 28-day cycle, counting the first day of your period as day 1.
- If cycles are irregular, contact your provider for clarity about the timing of your collection.
Recommendations for women and men on hormones
- 72 hours prior and during collection: Discontinue oral and sublingual hormones.
- 72 hours prior and during collection: Do not use hormones vaginally, as this may directly contaminate the urine.
- Other hormones such as topical creams and gels, injectables, and patches can be used on your regular schedule.
- Do not skip doses of oral birth control pills unless instructed by your healthcare provider.
A baseline hormone level may require supplement usage to stop for a longer period of time. Call your provider with questions.
Additional Recommendations
- Cortisol/glucocorticoid supplementation: Consult with your health care provider if you are taking glucocorticoids. Certain medications such as asthma inhalers and hydrocortisone contain cortisol. To evaluate natural cortisol production, it is recommended to stop cortisol containing products 5 days prior to sample collection.
- 24 hours prior and during collection: avoid alcohol, caffeine, tobacco or nicotine-containing products and strenuous exercise.
- 24 hours prior and during collection: for best results, minimize fluid intake (between 4-8 cups/1-2L).
- The intent of this collection method is to create a urine test that closely represents a 24-hour collection. With this in mind, we want you to include as much urine as possible that is produced throughout a day and night. During the time period that urine is being collected it is important to collect urine from a full bladder as much as possible. It is more important to get a good representation of urine than it is to collect at a precise time.
Never discontinue prescription medications without first consulting your provider. Please do not send any medications with your kit.
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, New York, or Rhode Island
