High
levels of cortisol, caused either by the body's overproduction or
by chronic administration of cortisone, are well-established causes
of osteoporosis.1,2 Increased cortisol levels have been associated
with calcium malabsorption, as well as osteoporosis in oophorectomized
women.3 Higher cortisol levels in athletes with exercise-related
amenorrhea have also been correlated with significantly lower bone
mineral density.4
Although
testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are considered male
hormones, they are produced in substantial amounts by the ovaries.
Each of these hormones has been shown to enhance new bone formation.
Serum levels of DHEA tend to decline around the time of menopause.
A further fall in levels occurs around age 70, as the adrenal gland
loses its capacity to produce the hormone. Maintaining optimal levels
of DHEA may help to prevent or reverse osteoporosis.
The
Adrenocortex Stress Profile provides a circadian
analysis of cortisol, along with a measurement of DHEA, to reveal
how imbalances of adrenal hormones may be playing a contributing
factor in bone loss.
References:
1 Bockman RS, Weinerman SA. Steroid-induced osteoporosis. Orthop
Clin North Am 1990;21(1):97-107.
2 Catargi B, Tabarin A, Basse-Cathalinat B, Ducassou D, Roger P.
Development of bone mineral density after cure of CushingÕs
syndrome. Ann Endocrinol 1996;57(3):203-208.
3 Manolagas SC, Anderson DC, Lindsay R. Adrenal steroids and the
development of osteoporosis in oophorectomized women. Lancet 1979;2:597.
4 Ding JH, Sheckter CB, Drinkwater BL, Soules MR, Bremner WJ. High
serum cortisol levels in exercise-associated amenorrhea. Ann Int
Med 1988;108:530-534.
All lab tests can be done through the mail in the privacy of your
own home, except blood tests, we send you to a lab to have your
blood drawn for these. After you pay for the test we mail you the
kit, the results take two weeks, the test results will be mailed
to us and we will call you to go over the results, its that easy!
All tests include the consultation for the report of findings.
Click on area
of interest on the left for more information
Call our office
for details. 800-956-7083 OR 818-707-3126 |
hCG
