Hormones

  

Lipid levels << >> Various values

Several hormones affect the growth of the abdomen. Sometimes the abdomen also has an effect on the formation of hormones, so that there is an interaction.

Insulin

The hormone insulin interacts closely with the internal abdominal fat, as described earlier.

Although insulin is on everyone's lips as an important metabolic hormone, it is rarely tested as a blood value. The usual blood tests do not include insulin levels.

However, if insulin resistance or even diabetes is suspected, the insulin level should definitely be checked.

An increased insulin level, especially on an empty stomach, clearly shows that the carbohydrate metabolism is not in order. So you should urgently do something about a possibly existing stomach. In addition to increased exercise, this includes a diet that is low in quickly digestible carbohydrates such as sugar or white flour. You should also be careful with fructose.

Normal insulin laboratory values

Following are the normal insulin blood values:

Before breakfast: 4 - 24 pU/ml
After dinner: 20 - 300 pU/ml

Thyroid hormones: T3, T4, TSH

Thyroid hormones play an essential role in the overall metabolism. Among other things, they control the body temperature and blood pressure and thus also how much energy the body consumes.

Hypothyroidism is not as rare as most people suspect. About one third of all women over 40 suffer from a more or less pronounced underactive thyroid gland, which not only makes them tired but also promotes obesity.

In addition to an over- or underactive thyroid gland, there is thyroid hormone resistance, which is shown by an increased TSH value (thyroid stimulating hormone). Such thyroid hormone resistance has similar effects to thyroid insufficiency. It is triggered, for example, by an estrogen dominance. As you can see, the hormones interact closely with each other, even in areas where you would not expect it.

An examination of the thyroid hormones is part of the standard programme of blood tests.

If you have abnormal values here, you should definitely seek treatment from a hormone specialist (endocrinologist). The correct treatment of thyroid disorders is not so easy and requires a lot of experience in this field.

Normal thyroid laboratory values

Following are the normal thyroid hormone blood levels:

T3 (triiodothyronine): 2.0 - 4.4 ng/l
T4 (thyroxine): 9.3 - 17 ng/l
TSH: 0.27 - 4.2 mIU/l

cortisol

The strong effects of the hormone cortisol on the growth of internal abdominal fat have already been described in detail.

However, the examination of cortisol blood values is not carried out frequently. You may even have to pay for this examination out of your own pocket. However, the indication of pronounced permanent stress could be a sufficient reason for some health insurers to pay for this examination.

Normal cortisol laboratory values

Below are the normal cortisol blood values, which are higher in the morning than in the evening:

Mornings (8:00 am): 5 - 25 pg/dl
Evening (0:00 am): < 5 pg/dl

Oestradiol - Oestrogens

The estrogen value is determined relatively frequently by gynaecologists during menopausal examinations.

However, the estrogen level varies from day to day and in some cases from minute to minute. In order to get a reliable impression of the oestrogen level, several tests should be carried out.

In addition, the oestrogen level in the blood is not necessarily meaningful about the oestrogen level in the tissues. In addition, a saliva test is sometimes more meaningful.

Even a low estrogen value does not necessarily speak against an estrogen dominance. If the progesterone level is even lower, estrogen dominance may well be present. Paradoxically, even oestrogen deficiency and oestrogen dominance may be present simultaneously. One suffers then both from the complaints of a lack (e.g. dry mucous membranes) and from the complaints of a dominance (e.g. water retention).

An oestrogen test is interesting, but for these reasons it is not always meaningful enough to be helpful in practice. In the menopause, this examination can normally be avoided. However, if you suspect that the oestrogen levels in younger women or men are not okay, an examination makes sense.

Normal estradiol -laboratory values

The blood values of estradiol depend on the cycle phase you are in.

In the second half of the menopause, the level of estradiol naturally decreases. This often leads to numerous complaints.

Follicular phase (before ovulation): 12,5 - 166 ng/l
Ovulation phase (at ovulation): 85.8 - 498 ng/l
Luteal phase (after ovulation): 43.8 - 211 ng/l
After menopause: < 5 - 55 ng/l

Progesterone

Like oestrogen levels, progesterone levels fluctuate from day to day and even more in the menopause.

A repeated examination is therefore necessary to get a correct picture of the situation.

In menopause, a progesterone test is usually superfluent, because it can be assumed that the values will drop significantly.

However, if one suffers greatly from PMS in younger years or if fertility is restricted, then a progesterone examination is quite meaningful and necessary.

Normal progesterone laboratory values

The blood levels of progesterone depend on the cycle phase you are in.

During the menopause, the progesterone level naturally decreases. This often leads to numerous complaints.

Follicle phase (before ovulation): 0.2 - 1.5 µg/l
Ovulation phase (at ovulation): 0.8 - 3.0 µg/l
Luteal phase (after ovulation): 1.7 - 27.0 µg/l
After menopause: < 0.8 µg/l

testosterone

Testosterone levels are essentially the same as oestrogen levels. However, testosterone levels do not fluctuate within the monthly cycle.

An examination of testosterone levels is useful if a deficiency is suspected in men. In women, a testosterone test makes sense if, for example, there is pronounced beard growth.

Normal testosterone laboratory values

Normal testosterone blood levels in men and women generally differ significantly:

Men: 3.5 - 8.6 ng/l
Women: < 0.86 ng/l


Lipid levels << >> Various values


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