7 Hormones that are critical to test in men
DHEA – DHEA is the precursor for both male and female hormones. It’s also an anti-stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Thus, supplementing DHEA without monitoring levels can easily alter the delicate balance between male and female hormones.
Androstenedione – A weak androgen and a precursor to both male and female hormones, unmonitored androstenedione intake in men can cause excessive female hormone production with minimal male hormone production. In women, unmonitored intake usually causes excess male hormone production with body and facial hair stimulation.
Testosterone – Testosterone is the main testicular androgen, and a precursor to the highly potent dihydrotestosterone male hormone. Excessive amounts of testosterone promote hardening of the blood vessels, aggression, prostate problems, and an increase in total cholesterol.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – A very potent androgen made from testosterone, the rate of DHT production is controlled by the level of free active progesterone. Excess DHT causes prostate enlargement and thinning of scalp hair.
Progesterone – A hormone important to both men and women, progesterone acts like a natural calming agent to the nervous system. It also keeps in check excessive DHT production and counterbalances the effects of excessive estrone. Unmonitored intake can lead to breast enlargement, depression and weight gain.
Estrone – An estrogen that both men and women produce in the fat cells. More fat means more estrone, which in turn promotes more fat in a vicious cycle. It is produced from androstenedione, and excess of estrone can cause breast enlargement and contribute to prostate enlargement. In males, a low level of estrone is mandatory to balance the androgens.
Estradiol – Another estrogen that is much more powerful than estrone. It is partially formed in the testes but mostly in the peripheral tissues from both the testicular and adrenal androgens.
