Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — saliva hormone testing

Weight loss failure is rarely just about willpower or diet — hormones are almost always involved. In this Q&A, Dr. Alyssa Burns-Hill of ZRT Laboratory tackles the most common questions from people struggling to lose weight despite their best efforts: from thyroid interference by the contraceptive pill and stress-driven cortisol cravings, to estrogen-reducing supplements, natural progesterone for menopause, and why 5-HTP can be a game-changer for mood, sleep and comfort eating.

Imbalances in estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and cortisol — brought on by ageing, diet and modern-day stress — are key drivers of the obesity epidemic. Learn how your hormones influence fat distribution and weight regulation, and how at-home hormone testing can help you take control.

Most of us know when something feels off — fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, poor sleep. But fewer people realise that a hormonal imbalance is often at the root. Learn how the endocrine system works, what throws it out of balance, and how at-home hormone testing can help you find answers.

Hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, insomnia and brain fog — menopause can feel overwhelming. But what is actually happening biochemically? In this case study, Dr. Kate Placzek and Dr. Allison Smith walk through the test results of Julia, a newly postmenopausal woman, showing exactly how hormone and neurotransmitter imbalances drive menopausal symptoms — and what can be done about it.

Testosterone has long been associated with aggression — but new research is revealing a far more nuanced picture. A study published in Nature Communications, involving ZRT Laboratory, found that a single dose of testosterone significantly increased young men’s preference for luxury, status-enhancing goods. Dr. Kate Placzek explores the neuroendocrine science behind this finding — and what it reveals about testosterone’s role in dopamine, reward and social behaviour.