Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health Show

The Truth About Hormone Testing

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What’s the first thing you want when your health feels off? A test. But in the world of hormone health, testing often doesn't tell us much more than what you already know.


In this solo episode of Phase to Phase, Dr. Anne Hussain discusses the complexities of hormone testing and its role in understanding the world of hormone imbalances. She tackles the myth that labs are always the answer, explaining why hormones are meant to fluctuate, and why sex hormone testing doesn't work like testing for iron or vitamin D.


She offers evidence-based guidance on when testing actually matters (like fertility work-ups, missing periods, diagnosing PCOS, etc.), why blood tests are the tried-and-true method, and why many costly salivary or urinary tests are unnecessary. She ends off sharing what kinds of things you need to start paying attention to, how you can advocate for better hormone healthcare, and which non-hormonal tests are important for your hormonal symptoms. 


Takeaways

  • Hormone testing has a time and place, but you likely don’t need a “fancy” (and expensive!) salivary or urinary hormone test. Blood testing and consulting with your medical team is what’s best to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
  • Hormones naturally fluctuate, which means you’ll have some highs and lows when we test your estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, FSH, and LH depending on where in your menstrual cycle you are and what else is going on. 
  • Not all symptoms are directly linked to hormone levels. In fact, 10 people with PMS could have very different hormone levels when we test. How your body and brain perceive hormone change matters. Hormone testing should answer specific questions or guide treatment.
    • Your experience is the most important information when it comes to your hormone health. Hormone testing doesn’t always tell us more than what your symptoms and story tell us, especially for PMS and perimenopause. 

      • Connect with Dr. Anne Hussain, ND:

      ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://phasetophase.ca/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

      ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://annehussain.com/ ⁠

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      Phase to Phase: The Hormone Health ShowBy Anne Hussain