Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — sleep disturbances

  Important clinical context: Hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, so a single blood or saliva result does not reliably diagnose or exclude it. Assessment is often based on age, symptoms and menstrual history; routine hormone testing is not a prerequisite for HRT and home panels do not establish a safe HRT dose. The original discussion below overstates these uses of testing. Discuss persistent symptoms, unusual bleeding or suspected early menopause with a qualified healthcare professional, who can select any appropriate investigations and treatment. Understanding Perimenopause Perimenopause, also known as the menopausal transition, is a natural and normal part of a...

By Tracy Tranchitella, ND ZRT Laboratory SARS-CoV-2 has been circulating in the global population for over a year. According to Worldometer, at the time of this writing on March 2, 2021, 115 million people have been infected with the virus, 2.5 million have died, and 90 million have survived the infection to go on to have possible immunity. The immune response to the virus can range from asymptomatic to severe illness and death and has aroused fear and uncertainty around the world. For those who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and survived, some experience prolonged symptoms beyond recovery from the...

By Dr. Allison Smith, ZRT Laboratory I would like to thank everyone who joined in our webinar on the Role of Hormones in Sleep Disturbances!  There were a number of questions I wasn’t able to address due to time constraints but they were all excellent questions. I thought at least someone would be interested in a follow-up as I speak to the rest of the questions just as a little wrap-up. Q: Wouldn't it be nice to include Dried Urine Melatonin in your ZRT Comprehensive Profile, to be able to evaluate Morning Cortisol when low? Maybe it is low while Melatonin...

Insomnia affects roughly 50% of all adults — and while sleep hygiene is important, herbal nervines offer a powerful, evidence-backed complement to any sleep support plan. Dr. Sherry LaBeck of ZRT Laboratory reviews 9 key botanical remedies for sleep disturbances and nervous system support, from the classic sedative valerian to the gentle tonic oatstraw, explaining the mechanisms behind each herb and the research supporting their use.

GABA is the brain's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter — and its balance is critical for restful sleep. This article explores how both low and high GABA levels can disrupt sleep, and why addressing the adrenal stress response is often the key to resolving GABA-related sleep problems.