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

Weight management is a topic that generates a lot of questions — and hormone imbalance is one of the most common but overlooked causes. Hormone Health Educator Candace Burch of ZRT Laboratory answers the 10 most frequently asked questions about hormones and weight gain, covering everything from postmenopausal belly fat and estrogen dominance to vitamin D deficiency, thyroid imbalance and why standard blood tests often miss the picture.

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.

Neurotransmitter testing is one of the most powerful functional assessment tools available — but it requires a nuanced approach to interpretation. In this clinical overview, Dr. Kate Placzek of ZRT Laboratory outlines the key fundamentals every practitioner needs before reading a neurotransmitter report: from understanding patterns over numbers and treatment sequencing, to the clinical significance of low serotonin on SSRIs, GABA’s peripheral mechanisms, and when to run a diurnal catecholamine assessment.

If you are experiencing infertility issues, understanding which hormones to test — and why — is the essential first step. Dr. Alison McAllister of ZRT Laboratory explains the full fertility hormone profile: from LH and FSH as indicators of ovarian reserve, to estradiol, progesterone and testosterone for ovulation health, adrenal hormones cortisol and DHEA-S, thyroid markers including TPO antibodies, and the often-overlooked role of vitamin D in fertility and PCOS.

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands in response to physical, mental and emotional stress. While it plays a vital role in energy metabolism, immune function and cardiovascular health, both chronically high and chronically low cortisol levels can cause significant health problems — from fatigue, weight gain and sleep disorders to burnout and adrenal exhaustion. This article explains what cortisol is, what happens when it goes wrong, and why regular testing matters.