Testing hormones is vital in order to know exactly if an imbalance exists and where it may lie. Saliva testing is preferred because it tests for the active available hormone versus blood testing for the protein-bound inactive form. Also, for women who are still cycling, it is imperative to get multiple samples throughout the cycle as hormones rise and fall. It is much easier and less expensive to use saliva over blood tests. The ranges given to blood tests also reflect a very wide, and often unhealthy, range; whereas saliva has ranges more in the healthy range for women. Hormones should never be given without the proper testing and follow up.

Synthetic hormones are given routinely with traditional medical intervention. All HRT research has been done on women who have taken synthetic hormones. It is accepted and assumed that synthetic hormones act the same as natural hormones, and this simply is not true. Tell me, just how many horse hormones does a woman need??? Synthetic estrogen made from a pregnant mare’s urine and synthetic progesterone have been linked to breast, uterine and ovarian cancer, heart disease and blood clotting. Natural progesterone is protective of cancer, heart disease and the formation of blood clots.

Typically, as female hormones become imbalanced, progesterone is much lower in ratio to estrogen causing Estrogen Dominance. As a woman gets older, the ovaries slow down production of progesterone and the adrenal glands become the backup system by producing more progesterone. Despite conventional medical thinking, progesterone is a very necessary hormone after menopause. Estrogen is typically in abundant supply as it is produced in the fat cells and consumed in non-organic dairy products and meat. A woman in Estrogen Dominance will produce a multitude of symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, difficulty getting to or staying asleep, mood swings, depression, anxiety, sweet/carb cravings, salt cravings, weight gain, body aches and pains (which when left uncontrolled may become Fibromyalgia), fatigue (which may become Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), and many more. Estrogen Dominance is, most often, the cause of heavy bleeding which is the more common reason for hysterectomy. After which, a woman is put on more estrogen!! Obviously, the bleeding is halted but the Estrogen Dominance is enhanced.

There is a better way!! By testing the hormones accurately, understanding where the imbalance lies, we can rebalance the system using whole food supplements and herbs. Remember, hormones are very powerful substances found in very small amounts in our bloodstream. Hormones are part of a family, and they function and dysfunction together. Any hormones, even bioidentical hormones, should be used only as a temporary crutch or as a last resort and never slathered on in a more-is-better approach. And if hormones are used, testing and monitoring is vital. Otherwise, easily the wrong hormone could be given – once again upsetting the delicate balance. The use of supplements and herbs can frequently bring the body back into balance. The body was designed to regenerate for well over 100 years, and is internally driven to homeostasis – balance and health. We do not need to make the body healthy; we only need to allow the body to be healthy.

1. An evaluation of overall health
2. An evaluation of health trends
3. An evaluation of how a patient is managing lifestyle stressors.

Hair analysis can be an effective way to view the WHOLE body at a cellular level.  Hair analysis would be considered a screening test.  By definition a screening test is not meant to be diagnostic of a disease or condition, but could be considered an overall evaluation of the current state of health for that individual.

A hair analysis can tell us about a patient’s: metabolic rate, stage of stress, immune function, adrenal activity, thyroid activity, hormone balance, cardiovascular risk, digestive health, carbohydrate/sugar handling, protein intake and usage.

The mineral patterns and ratios presented on a hair analysis are interpreted to evaluate a patient’s health trends.  Mineral patterns indicate metabolic trends.   Mineral ratios futher define trends, representing relationship and balances in the body.

A hair analysis is a way to view the interplay occurring between minerals in order to maintain balance in an individual.  The body is intent on maintaining balance at all costs!  Low blood sugar, high blood sugar, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, acidity and alkalinity; the list goes on.

A hair analysis will allow you to see lifestyle trends (diet, stress, addictions, etc.) that a patient is juggling, and how their body is truly managing it.

As life takes its toll on us, multple layers of compensation build.  Each layer takes additional energy from the body.    As the layers heal, the body releases more and more energy.