Hormones play a big role in the life of every person. Good health, mood, healthy sleep, the presence or absence of excess weight depend on the correct hormonal background. Men suffer from a malfunction of even one link in the system no less than women. For this reason, passing tests for hormones is a fairly frequent prescription of doctors. What is such an analysis and what are the norms for its decoding?
Hormones and their features
Hormones are the basis of all life support systems of the human body. They affect various types of metabolism: protein, carbohydrate, water-salt, lipid and others.
It is an even hormonal background that is able to ensure the proper functioning of the whole organism and its timely response to various diseases, overwork or stress. Hormones activate the defenses of a person, and they also contribute to proper rest and recovery.
Genetically determined hormonal background is the cause of the development and maturation of a person, and later his old age and death.
The so-called male-type hormones are present not only in the male body, but also in the female, only in a different amount. In men, hormone production depends on the function of the testes and adrenal glands.
Testing
Analysis of hormones in men is not checked as planned. Such tests are prescribed as an additional way to diagnose the disease, in order to obtain a more complete picture.
Such an additional check makes it possible to establish:
1. The presence of infertility.
2. Improper thyroid function.
3. The presence of diabetes.
4. Possible inflammatory processes.
5. The reason for being overweight.
6. Improper adrenal gland function.
7. Delayed sexual development.
8. The cause of skin problems.
The interpretation of the hormone test in men will depend on factors such as age, the presence of concomitant diseases, taking medications, as well as the general condition of the patient.
Rules and Procedure
In order for the hormone analysis in men to be the most correct, it is recommended to observe some rules:
1. Similar tests should be taken on an empty stomach. For this reason, it is best to schedule a laboratory visit in the morning.
2. To avoid hormone surges, it is better to exclude physical activities that are severe for the body.
3. Do not take drugs that affect the hormonal background during the test period. If you cannot cancel the appointment, inform your doctor.
4. Exclude alcohol on the eve before visiting a doctor.
5. It is better to give up smoking at least two hours before blood donation.
6. On the eve, refuse fatty, fried and heavy foods.
7. Try not to be very upset. Excessive emotional stress can affect results.
What tests should be taken for hormones for men?
A blood test is taken to determine male hormonal levels. It is blood that allows you to determine the work of two types of hormones (produced by both the testes and adrenal glands).
In order to compile the correct picture of the disease, it is possible to prescribe the following hormones:
1. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
2. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
3. Testosterone.
4. Luteinizing hormone (LH).
5. Prolactin.
6. Estradiol.
7. Progesterone.
8. Binding sex hormones (SHBG).
Any type of hormone has its own function in the male body. Only their correct work allows to maintain the healthy functioning of the body. Referral may be given by a specialist based on complaints and symptoms.
Analysis of hormones in men: how to take, the rules for taking material
To determine the hormonal background of a man, an analysis of his blood is taken, and from a vein. To take the material, the specialist uses disposable tools. After extracting the required amount of biological material, it is placed in sterile tubes. Next, the received amount of blood is sent to the laboratory for diagnosis. Getting the results takes 5 to 10 days. The procedure does not cause pain and takes no more than 5 minutes of time.
Follicle-stimulating hormone
Follicle-stimulating hormone is one of the most important hormones in the male body. Its function is to conceive a child, and it also affects the level of such an important male hormone as testosterone. A similar analysis is prescribed to exclude infertility. It is a continuation of the study of spermograms. If weakly active sperm are found, sexual desire and sexual contact are reduced, a similar study is prescribed.
Normal indicators of this type of analysis are its fluctuations from 1.37 to 13.58 units. Any deviations from these figures are a negative indicator.
Dihydrotestosterone
Dihydrotestosterone is a steroid hormone. It provides normal puberty during the formation of a young man, and is also responsible for the ability of men to have sex. Most of the DHT is produced by the testes, with the adrenal gland remaining.
The age of the patient has a great influence on the performance of this hormone. So, for boys, the norm of DHT is 5-50 pg / ml, for older men - 250-990 pg / ml. By a more mature age, the content of this hormone in the body again decreases markedly. Any deviations from the normal boundaries of the indicators may indicate the presence of one of the following diseases:
- inflammatory processes in the prostate gland;
- excessive activity of the gonads;
- endocrinological abnormalities;
- hormonal treatment disorders;
- inflammation in the adrenal glands;
- beginning of andropause.
The deficiency and excess content in the body of DHT can be determined by external signs. So, with a lag in the physical development of a teenager, it is recommended to take a test for dihydrotestosterone, and if a man has rapid baldness, it is also possible to diagnose excess of normal indicators.
Testosterone
Testosterone is the most famous hormone. It plays a significant role in the maturation of men and their sexual activity. Testicles are responsible for its formation in the body. The main functions of testosterone are:
1. The formation of the male body, its maturation in adolescence.
2. Hormonal background determines the sexual behavior of men.
3. Affects the metabolic processes of the body.
4. Promotes the release and formation of sperm.
5. It has a great influence on the formation of muscle corset.
This analysis of hormones (the norm and deviations from it) in men depends on the following indicators: the patient’s age, his lifestyle, the presence of concomitant and chronic diseases, smoking, alcoholism, drug use, and methods of collection. A similar analysis is given in the morning.
This hormone test in middle-aged men should have indicators ranging from 345 to 950 ng / dl.
Luteinizing hormone
Luteinizing hormone is involved in such an important process as the production of sperm and a sufficient amount of testosterone. This analysis is included in the list of mandatory checks in the presence of any hormonal failure.
This hormone test in men should range from 2 to 9 mU / L. Deviations can indicate the presence of problems in the body. So, if the numbers are exceeded, inflammation in the pituitary gland can develop, while at low rates, renal failure can occur.
In the presence of small indicators, we can talk about violations in the genital area, which can be caused by excess weight, the presence of bad habits, taking medications, improper development of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
Prolactin
Prolactin is a hormone that is important for the female body. It provides the normal conception, development and birth of a healthy baby in the light. In a man’s body, prolactin carries other tasks, and deviations in its parameters can cause sexual dysfunction, lack of offspring and other problems.
This analysis of hormones in men should normally correspond to the following values: 2.5-15 ng / ml. Excess indicators may be evidence of the following problems in the body: a change in the liver and kidneys, the development of inflammation in the pituitary gland, inflammation of the thyroid gland and others. However, exceeding the results does not necessarily indicate negative processes taking place in the body. It can be caused by the use of potent drugs (for example, antidepressants).
Estradiol
Estradiol is a hormone that is more important for the female body than for the male, nevertheless, when checking the male hormonal background, this analysis is necessarily prescribed. Estradiol is produced in the adrenal gland, but most of it is secreted from human body fat. Thus, the more a man is overweight, the higher the likelihood that his body has a reduced testosterone content and an excess of estradiol (female sex hormone) is exceeded.
The objectives of this hormone in the male body are the regulation of sperm production, metabolic processes, as well as the normalization of blood coagulation.
This blood test for hormones in men should normally be 16-73 pg / ml.
A decrease in the level of the hormone in the blood may be associated with active physical education, smoking, lack of protein foods, as well as exceeding normal prolactin levels.
To donate blood to determine the level of estradiol, you should take into account some requirements and tips:
1. Refuse from serious physical activity for several days before donating blood.
2. Refrain temporarily from all bad habits. This will reduce the likelihood of an incorrect result.
3. Two days before the test is not worth having sex.
Progesterone
Progesterone is a universal hormone, no less important both for the male body and for the female. In representatives of the strong half, it plays an important role in the process of sperm production, as well as their activity.
This blood test for hormones in men normally varies on average in the following ranges: 0.35-0.63 nmol / L. With age, indicators can increase, which can cause the development of diseases. To obtain a more accurate result, it is recommended to take the analysis in the first half of the day (preferably in the morning) on an empty stomach.
Binding sex hormones
Binding sex hormones transport all hormones throughout the body, including as important as testosterone.
This analysis for male hormones in middle-aged men should normally be 13-70 nmol / L. Representatives of a more mature age (over 55 years) are characterized by a decrease in these indicators.
Determining the condition of the thyroid gland
Analysis of thyroid hormones for men is prescribed in the following cases:
1. If there is any doubt about the final diagnosis.
2. To test the effectiveness of treatment and its adjustment.
3. After operations.
4. Citizens whose place of residence affects the reduction of iodine levels.
Blood donation recommendations:
1. Analysis is given on an empty stomach in the morning.
2. A few weeks before the test, it is recommended to stop taking hormonal drugs.
3. It is not recommended to take tests in the recovery period after a disease.
Tests for determining the state of the thyroid gland are:
1. Triiodothyronine free (T3).
2. Thyroxine total (T4).
3. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).
4. Antibodies to TSH.
Instead of an afterword
Thus, all of the above gives us a concept of what kind of tests a man gives for hormones . This diagnosis is one of the most important ways to prevent and detect many diseases.