URINE HORMONES & ESTROGEN METABOLITES
Hormones that don’t break down properly in the body can increase the risk for certain cancers – like breast cancer.
Urinary hormone metabolites testing provides a unique diagnostic view that no other hormone testing offers.
Because it assesses both parent hormones and their corresponding metabolites, it reveals how the body is breaking down key hormones like estrogens, progestogens, androgens, cortisol and melatonin.
This testing gives insight into whether we are fully detoxifying our hormones, which is important because some hormones can be carcinogenic if they don’t break down properly – leaving us more at risk for a variety of diseases, like cancer.
Why the Focus on Estrogen Metabolism?
A growing conversation in the medical community centers on estrogen metabolism and the risk for hormone-driven cancers. With every published study, there is increasing evidence that the amount of estrogen we make and how our bodies process (metabolize) this estrogen has significant implications for cancer risk. In women, this is breast cancer. In men, it’s prostate cancer.
Measuring hormone levels, as well as the resulting by-products (metabolites) is a simple, non-invasive way to better understand our risks.
When is it a good idea to consider urinary hormone metabolite testing? In cases where someone has:
- Family history of hormone-dependent cancers – like breast or prostate cancer
- Normal saliva cortisol levels but still experiencing symptoms of adrenal dysfunction
- Symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as weight gain and insomnia
- Symptoms of PCOS, such as acne and excess facial hair
- Symptoms of menopause and ready to begin hormone replacement therapy
- Symptoms of estrogen dominance while on physiological replacement dosages of therapy
Info Guide: Estrogen Metabolites
While other labs offer similar testing, ZRT’s urine hormone testing is the most complete available.
With 44 unique markers, ZRT’s urine hormone profiles are more comprehensive than any other lab’s.
ZRT assesses a total of 13 estrogens, including 2-Methoxy and 2-Hydroxy, 4-Hydroxy and 4-Methoxy and 16a-Hydroxy estrogens. We test more 4-Hydroxy metabolites than any other lab.
ZRT assesses a total of 8 androgens, which is more than most labs offer.
ZRT is one of few labs to include an assessment of BPA in its urine hormone testing.
ZRT provides diurnal patterns for both cortisol and cortisone, which help get to the root of stress-related issues. It’s also ideal for those unable to collect a saliva sample for diurnal cortisol.
Diurnal Melatonin: ZRT is the only lab to include a diurnal pattern for melatonin, which helps evaluate sleep-related issues.
ZRT’s dried urine method offers a discreet, at-home testing alternative and eliminates the hassles of all-day jug urine collection. Patients collect urine on a filter strip at four time points during the day. Dried strips are shelf-stable for 30 days and easy to mail back to the lab for analysis.
Learn More About Urine Hormone Testing
