It is important to maintain optimal hormone levels for overall health and well-being, this article will delve into how to choose the right blood test, why you should get tested, and what can impact the results you get.

What can affect the results?

There are various factors to take into account that will influence the results of any blood test you take, with these in mind, make sure to check with your healthcare provider prior to having a blood tests, and they will recommend any adjustments beforehand, if necessary.

Firstly, the levels of hormones in your body naturally decline with age, particularly with testosterone, as levels will usually decrease by around 1% every year, after the age of 30. Although the gradual decline of testosterone is natural, it can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, decreased sex drive, and depression.

What medication you take should also be considered when wanting to have a blood test taken, as certain medications including antidepressants and steroids, can have an impact of hormone levels. Likewise, certain medical conditions including obesity, diabetes, and thyroid disorders can cause hormone levels to fluctuate, similarly, individuals that are suffering from chronic stress will see an increase in cortisol levels in the body, symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and weight gain can rise due to elevated cortisol levels.

Furthermore, consider factors such as lifestyle, where lack of exercise, a poor diet, and excessive consumption of alcohol can negatively affect hormone levels, diets that include processed foods or food that is high in sugar can lead to inflammation, which impact production of certain hormones. Hormone levels can change even due to what time of day it is, so this is an important factor to consider, as previously stated, particularly because hormone levels in men are at their peak in the morning, which tends to yield more accurate results in blood tests.