Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — fasting insulin testing

Thinning hair is more than a cosmetic concern — it is often a signal of something happening internally. From stress and cortisol to menopause, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS and nutritional deficiencies, hormones play a central role in hair health. Dr. Kate Placzek breaks down the science behind hormonal hair loss and what you can do about it.

When a patient with PCOS or weight issues is told “your blood sugar is normal,” the story is far from over. In this clinical article, Dr. Alison McAllister of ZRT Laboratory explains why insulin — not glucose — is the primary driver of PCOS symptoms, weight gain, testosterone and DHEAS excess, and cortisol dysfunction. Understanding the progression from insulin resistance to hyperinsulinemia to type 2 diabetes is essential for identifying and treating PCOS at the earliest possible stage.

At-home hormone testing using saliva, dried blood spot and dried urine collection is not only more convenient than clinic-based blood draws — it is also safer, more accurate for certain hormones, and essential for capturing time-sensitive samples like waking cortisol or first-morning melatonin. This article explains how each collection method works, why dried samples carry minimal infection risk, and how ZRT Laboratory’s CLIA-certified processes ensure reliable results.