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Decoding Women's Health:
In the evolving landscape of healthcare, a paradigm shift is underway. One that emphasises personalised, root-cause-focused approaches over one-size-fits-all solutions. This transformation is particularly significant in women's health, where complex hormonal interactions, metabolic nuances, and lifestyle factors necessitate a more tailored approach. Integrative and functional medicine testing stands at the forefront of this shift, offering insights that empower women to take charge of their health journeys.
Understanding Integrative and Functional Medicine
Integrative medicine combines conventional medical practices with evidence-based complementary therapies, focusing on the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. Functional medicine, a subset of this approach, delves deeper, aiming to identify and address the root causes of disease through a systems-oriented methodology. Together, they offer a comprehensive framework for understanding and optimising women's health.
The Imperative for Personalised Testing in Women's Health
Traditional medical testing often provides a snapshot of health, sometimes missing subtle imbalances that can lead to chronic conditions. Functional medicine testing, however, offers a panoramic view, uncovering underlying dysfunctions before they manifest as disease. This proactive approach is crucial in women's health, where early detection of hormonal imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic disturbances can prevent long-term complications.
Key Functional Medicine Tests for Women
In the realm of women's health, functional medicine offers a nuanced approach to diagnostics, focusing on optimal ranges rather than merely identifying disease states. This perspective enables early detection of imbalances, facilitating proactive interventions. Below is an in-depth exploration of essential tests, their significance, and the optimal ranges pertinent to women's health.
1. Comprehensive Hormone Panels
Hormonal fluctuations significantly influence women's health, affecting mood, energy, reproductive function, and overall well-being. Comprehensive hormone panels assess key hormones to identify imbalances that may underlie various symptoms.
Oestradiol (E2): Optimal levels vary across the menstrual cycle. During the follicular phase, levels typically range from 70–500 pmol/L, peaking around ovulation. In the luteal phase, levels may rise to 100–800 pmol/L. Postmenopausal women generally have levels below 130 pmol/L. For symptom relief in menopausal hormone therapy, an optimal level is around 400 pmol/L (Newson, 2023).
Progesterone: In the luteal phase, optimal levels are between 30–90 nmol/L. Levels below this range may indicate luteal phase deficiency, potentially affecting fertility and menstrual regularity.
Testosterone: Optimal levels for women are approximately 0.5–2.5 nmol/L. Both low and high levels can impact libido, mood, and muscle mass.
DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate): Optimal levels range from 2.0–10.0 µmol/L. DHEA-S serves as a precursor to sex hormones and influences energy and immune function.
Cortisol: A diurnal pattern is expected, with peak levels in the early morning (6–8 am) ranging from 140–690 nmol/L, and declining throughout the day to 83–359 nmol/L by late afternoon. Deviations from this pattern may indicate adrenal dysfunction.
2. Thyroid Function Tests
Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, energy production, and menstrual cycles. Comprehensive testing includes:
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone): While standard reference ranges are 0.38–5.33 mU/L, functional medicine practitioners often consider 0.5–2.5 mU/L as optimal (Rupa Health, 2021).
Free T4 (Thyroxine): Optimal levels are 12–22 pmol/L. Levels outside this range may indicate hypo- or hyperthyroidism (North Bristol NHS Trust, 2024).
Free T3 (Triiodothyronine): Optimal levels are 3.8–6.0 pmol/L. Low levels may suggest impaired conversion from T4, affecting energy and mood (North Bristol NHS Trust, 2024).
Thyroid Antibodies (TPOAb and TgAb): The presence of these antibodies can indicate autoimmune thyroid conditions like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
3. Adrenal Stress Index
Chronic stress impacts adrenal function, influencing cortisol production and overall hormonal balance. The Adrenal Stress Index assesses cortisol and DHEA levels throughout the day to evaluate adrenal health.
Cortisol: As noted, optimal morning levels are 140–690 nmol/L, decreasing to 83–359 nmol/L by late afternoon.
DHEA: Optimal levels vary by age and sex but generally range from 2.0–10.0 µmol/L in women. Imbalances can affect energy, mood, and immune function.
4. Micronutrient Testing
Micronutrients are vital for enzymatic reactions, hormone synthesis, and overall health. Testing can identify deficiencies that may contribute to various symptoms.
Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D): Optimal levels are 75–150 nmol/L. Deficiency can impact bone health, immunity, and mood.
Vitamin B12: Optimal serum levels are 300–700 pmol/L. Deficiency may lead to fatigue, neurological issues, and anaemia.
Ferritin: Optimal levels are 30–100 µg/L. Low ferritin can cause fatigue and hair loss, while high levels may indicate inflammation.
Magnesium: Optimal serum levels are 0.75–0.95 mmol/L. Deficiency can affect muscle function, sleep, and mood.
Zinc: Optimal plasma levels are 10–18 µmol/L. Zinc is crucial for immune function, wound healing, and hormone production.
5. Comprehensive Stool Analysis
Gut health is integral to nutrient absorption, immune function, and hormone metabolism. Stool analysis can detect:
Microbial Imbalances: Overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria or yeast can disrupt digestion and immunity.
Digestive Markers: Enzyme levels, pH, and short-chain fatty acids provide insight into digestive efficiency.
Inflammatory Markers: Calprotectin and lactoferrin levels indicate intestinal inflammation.
Parasitic Infections: Detection of parasites that may cause gastrointestinal symptoms.
6. Food Sensitivity Testing
Identifying food sensitivities can alleviate chronic inflammation, digestive issues, and other systemic symptoms. Testing typically measures IgG antibodies against various foods to pinpoint sensitivities.
Integrating Test Results into Personalised Care
The true power of functional medicine testing lies in its integration into individualised care plans. By interpreting test results within the context of a patient's unique history, genetics, and lifestyle, practitioners can develop targeted interventions. These may include dietary modifications, supplementation, stress management techniques, and lifestyle changes aimed at restoring balance and promoting optimal health.
The Role of Rebalance and Its Partners
Rebalance is committed to empowering women through personalised healthcare solutions. As an official partner of Lola Health, Bluehorizon, and EasyDNA, Rebalance offers access to a suite of advanced functional medicine tests. These collaborations ensure that women receive comprehensive evaluations, enabling proactive management of their health and well-being.
Embracing integrative and functional medicine testing marks a significant step toward personalised, proactive healthcare for women. By uncovering root causes and tailoring interventions, this approach not only addresses existing health concerns but also fosters long-term wellness. As we continue to prioritise women's health, such comprehensive strategies will be instrumental in achieving optimal outcomes.
References
Newson, L. (2023). Understanding hormone levels in your blood. [online] Dr Louise Newson. Available at: https://www.drlouisenewson.co.uk/knowledge/understanding-hormone-levels-in-your-blood.
Rupa Health. (2021). A Functional Medicine Approach to Thyroid Hormone Labs. [online] Available at: https://www.rupahealth.com/post/a-functional-medicine-approach-to-thyroid-hormone-labs.
North Bristol NHS Trust. (2024). Thyroid Function Tests. [online] Available at: https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/severn-pathology/requesting/test-information/thyroid-function-tests.
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