The weather is getting warmer, and the days are getting longer — a reminder of the change into the spring and summer months. With this environmental change, be aware that your body is also changing. In fact, no matter your age or gender, you are always going through a season of change.

Uh-oh, Something is Off

As the temperature gets warmer, we find ourselves focusing more on fitness to lose weight and comfortably dress for the summer. However, maybe the diet and exercise regimen that’s always worked in the past isn’t budging the scale this year. Maybe you notice that despite the rising temperatures, you’re always cold, or just don’t have the energy or focus you are used to having. Or maybe you just feel a bit “off.” These are indicators you shouldn’t ignore. Your body may be trying to tell you something.

Could It Be Hormones?

Just like we experience seasonal cycles, our body works cyclically in harmony with hormones. The Cleveland Clinic describes hormones as chemical messengers. They essentially coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles, and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it.

If something goes wrong with a hormonal cycle, whether you’re a male or female, your hormones will let you know. Everything in the body is interwoven, which means if you are not responding to the diet and exercise or can’t seem to focus — the answer may be a hormone imbalance.

Hormonal Health Issues

Imbalances or deficiencies in hormones can lead to a wide range of health problems, including diabetes, thyroid disorders, infertility, and mood disorders, according to research from the Endocrine Society. Therefore, hormones are crucial to the proper functioning of the body, and any disruption in their production or regulation can have significant consequences.

Hormones are important to our bodies because they play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions and maintaining homeostasis, which is the balance of the body’s internal environment. Produced by the endocrine glands and released into the bloodstream, these chemical messengers regulate a wide range of physiological processes, including growth and development, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and behavior.

For example, insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake of glucose by cells. Testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones that play a role in the development of secondary sexual characteristics and reproductive function. Cortisol is a stress hormone that helps the body cope with stress by increasing blood sugar levels and suppressing the immune system.

Health Screenings for Women and Men

What this means is that it’s possible that your lack of energy or failure at weight loss may be due to a hormonal issue. At Any Lab Test Now®, we can help. We are your partner in health, helping you get the answers you need. We offer two very effective tests to screen for a possible hormonal issue you may be experiencing.

  • The first is the COMPREHENSIVE FEMALE PANEL. This screening will help you recognize and address hormone imbalances and assess the overall condition of your health. It’s designed for women at all stages of their life so that you can make an informed decision about your own healthcare goals. It includes blood counts, and a metabolic panel, which includes kidney and liver functions, female hormones, thyroid, heart health, and your nutritional status.

with a wide range of tests designed to give a broad overview of your health. It includes blood counts and a metabolic panel, which includes kidney and liver functions as well as heart health and hormone information. Men will also receive a PSA test designed to evaluate prostate health.

Finding Answers

Since hormones are cyclical, in order to obtain an accurate snapshot of your health, theremay need to be multiple tests to discover a pattern depending on where you were in that cycle when you were taking the test. These comparative tests are valuable to ascertain if something is off or if further tests are needed for diagnosis of a problem.

These tests are not only beneficial for hormonal results but as an overall annual health screening. If there is a problem, you can consult with your healthcare provider to review the results and discuss potential next steps.

How to Handle Your Test Results

The lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. You own the results, and you choose how to proceed with them. We do encourage you to consult with your provider for further details and to make the best decisions about your health. If you do not have a primary care physician, Any Lab Test Now® has partnered with DialCare, a service that helps you find a provider licensed in your state.

Any Lab Test Now® is Your Partner in Health

If your body is signaling you to a problem, listen to it. The first step to obtain answers is by coming to Any Lab Test Now®for tangible results. We are here to provide the lab tests you need for answers to your health concerns and optimum wellness. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.