Hormone Balancing

Hormones are powerful chemical messengers that regulate metabolic and reproductive processes.  For optimum health they need to work in concert like the fine instruments in an orchestra. When a hormone is imbalanced or "out of tune" it can affect the action of all other hormones in your body. You may experience this as PMS or menopausal hot flashes and insomnia or as a sluggish metabolism with fatigue and pain.

Hormones can be tested using saliva or blood. We suggest salivary testing because it measures the free form of the hormones, which act directly on your body. Conventional blood testing measures both bound and free hormones which can have more indirect actions. Saliva testing also reveals the changes of hormone levels throughout the day, as opposed to blood testing, which typically shows a one-time level.

To help you balance your hormones the first thing we do is assess your history and current symptoms. If salivary hormone testing is indicated we provide testing kits for simple at-home collection. You then mail your specimens directly to the laboratory and we get the results within 10 business days. In a follow-up consultation, Dr. Gleason typically will recommend nutritional supplements as well as changes in lifestyle and diet.

Your hormone levels should be retested after your body responds to the recommended changes, typically in four to six months. Subsequent testing will help you to maintain the right hormone balance for your personal path to optimum health. While there is no magic one-size-fits-all formula, we will work with you to determine which levels are right for you at your stage of your life.