Symptoms questionaire to identify hormone imbalance
These questions are indicated at Dr. J. Lee’s website to determine what hormones you might need to have tested.
1. Read through the list of symptoms in each group, and put a check mark next to each symptom that you have. (Its OK to check off the same symptom in more than one group);
2. In any group where you have two or more symptoms checked off, there’s a good chance that you have the hormone imbalance represented by that group (The more symptoms you check off, the higher the likelihood);
3. Some people may have more than one type of hormonal imbalance.
Hormone Balance Questionaires for Women
Transdermally absorbed hormones are biologically active (not protein bound) and show up in the mucins of saliva. Therefore saliva hormone radioimmunoassay (RIA) is a relevant and convenient way to measure how much transdermal, free estrogen, PROGESTERONE , TESTOSTERONE, DHEA and other fat soluble hormones are actually available to carry messages to other organs. Women experiencing perimenopausal symptoms will almost always have salivary hormone levels that reflect a PROGESTERONE deficiency, estrogen excess or both.
What are normal saliva levels for hormones?
- Normal saliva PROGESTERONE level. About 0.3-0.5 ng/ml. With 1.5ng/ml at the upper limit.
You can order saliva tests to determine your hormone levels online at John R. Lee. M.D.
Symptom Group for PROGESTERONE Deficiency in Women | |
☐ PMS | ☐ Insomnia |
☐ Early miscarriage | ☐ Painful and/or lumpy breasts |
☐ Unexplained weight gain | ☐ Cyclical headaches |
☐ Anxiety | ☐ Infertility |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If two or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: PROGESTERONE deficiency – the most common hormone imbalance among women of all ages. You may need to change your diet, get off of synthetic hormones (including birth control pills), and you may need to use some PROGESTERONE cream. Maybe have saliva tested for PROGESTERONE and ESTRADIOL. | |
Symptom Group for Estrogen Deficiency in Women | |
☐ Vaginal dryness | ☐ Night sweats |
☐ Painful intercourse | ☐ Memory problems |
☐ Bladder infections | ☐ Lethargic depression |
☐ Hot flashes | |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If t wo or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: Estrogen deficiency – This hormone imbalance is most common in menopausal women; especially if you are petite and/or slim. You may need to make some special changes to your diet. Take some women’s herbs. Some women may need a little natural estrogen (about one-tenth the dose prescribed by most doctors). Maybe have saliva tested for ESTRADIOL. | |
Symptom Group for Excess Estrogen in Women | |
☐ Puffiness and bloating | ☐ Cervical dysplasia (abnormal pap smear) |
☐ Rapid weight gain | ☐ Breast tenderness |
☐ Mood swings | ☐ Heavy bleeding |
☐ Anxious depression | ☐ Migraine headaches |
☐ Insomnia | ☐ Foggy thinking |
☐ Red flush on face | ☐ Gallbladder problems |
☐ Weepiness | |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If t wo or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: Excess estrogen – In women, this is most often solved by getting off of the conventional synthetic hormones most often prescribed by doctors for menopausal women. See article: Getting Off HRT . Once on a natural hormone regimen, maybe get a comprehensive saliva test, Female/Male Saliva Profile III . You should also strive to avoid xenoestrogens and eating excessive amounts of soy products, which have a pervasive presence in our world today. | |
Symptom Group for Estrogen Dominance in Women | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A combination of the symptoms for PROGESTERONE Deficiency and Excess Estrogen
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TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If two or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: Estrogen dominance – This happens when you don’t have enough PROGESTERONE to balance the effects of estrogen . Thus, you can have low estrogen but if you have even lower PROGESTERONE , you can have symptoms of estrogen dominance. Many women between the ages of 40 and 50 suffer from estrogen dominance. This topic is covered in much detail in Dr. Lee’s timeless book,What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause, and also in the May 1998 issue of theJohn R Lee, M.D. Medical Letter. Maybe have saliva tested for Female/Male Saliva Profile I or just test for PROGESTERONE and ESTRADIOL . | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Symptom Group for Excess Androgens in Women | |
☐ Acne | ☐ Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) |
☐ Excessive hair on face and arms | ☐ Hypoglycemic/unstable blood sugar |
☐ Thinning hair on the head | ☐ Infertility |
☐ Ovarian cysts | ☐ Mid-cycle pain |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If t wo or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: Excess androgens (male hormones) – This is most often caused by too much sugar and simple carbohydrates in the diet and is often found in women who have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). You can find out more about PCOS in”What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause”, as well as the March 1999 issue of theJohn R Lee, M.D. Medical Letter. Maybe have saliva tested for PROGESTERONE , ESTRADIOL and TESTOSTERONE . | |
Symptom Group for CORTISOL Deficiency in Women | |
☐ Debilitating fatigue | ☐ Unstable blood sugar |
☐ Foggy thinking | ☐ Low blood pressure |
☐ Thin and/or dry skin | ☐ Intolerance to exercise |
☐ Brown spots on face | |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If two or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: CORTISOL deficiency – this is caused by tired adrenals, which is usually caused by chronic stress. If you’re trying to juggle a job and a family, chances are good you have tired adrenals. There is good information on restoring your adrenal function in both the”What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause” and “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” books, as well as in the July 1998 John R Lee, M.D. Medical Letter. Maybe have saliva tested for adrenal function or one of the individual CORTISOL tests. | |
Hormone Balance Questionaires for Men
Symptom Group for TESTOSTERONE Deficiency in Men | |
☐ Weight loss | ☐ Enlarged breasts |
☐ Loss of muscle | ☐ Lower stamina |
☐ Lower sex drive | ☐ Softer erections |
☐ Fatigue | ☐ Gallbladder problems |
TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If two or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: | |
Symptom Group for Excess Estrogen in Men | |
☐ Hair loss | ☐ Headaches |
☐ Prostate enlargement | ☐ Breast enlargement |
☐ Irritability | ☐ Weight gain |
☐ Puffiness/bloating |
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TOTAL BOXES CHECKED ☐ If t wo or more boxes checked in this group, you may have: Excess estrogen: In men, excess estrogen can be balanced with one of the male hormones and changes in diet and lifestyle. You can read about this in detail in Dr. Lee’s booklet,”Hormone Balance For Men”. It is recommended that you get a saliva hormone test to pinpoint your hormone balance more exactly. | |
Saliva Tests
Saliva testing is a simple, accurate way to determine your “free” or bioavailable hormone levels.
Help on which saliva test(s) to order from Dr. John Lee’s website (without affiliation). There are suggestions after each Symptom Group above, but if you’re still confused, try these guidelines:
- If you haven’t had a saliva hormone level test before, or you fit into more than one category above, it’s ideal if you can get “The Works,”Female/Male Saliva Profile III to give you the big picture. This is a great way to get baseline measurements of your hormones,anda very informative and comprehensive analysis from the experts at ZRT Lab.
- If you fit into more than one category above,including fatigue, and you’re on a budget, you’ll get a lot of useful information from Female/Male Saliva Profile II.
- If you fit into more than one category above not including fatigue, try Female/Male Saliva Profile I.
- If you’re primarily having issues with stress and fatigue, try the Adrenal Function or one of the individual CORTISOL tests.
- If you just want the basics, test for PROGESTERONE , ESTRADIOL and TESTOSTERONE.
- If you have estrogen dominance symptoms and want just a bare bones look at your hormones, just test PROGESTERONE and ESTRADIOL .
- If you recently started supplementing with PROGESTERONE and only want to find out whether your levels are within “normal” ranges, just test PROGESTERONE .
- If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and/or symptoms of excess male hormones such as excess hair growth, test PROGESTERONE , ESTRADIOL and TESTOSTERONE.
- If you have PMS, endometriosis, infertility or postpartum blues, you’ll get a lot of helpful information from one of the Female/Male Saliva Profiles
