Male and female hormonal profiles

According to their age and other variables such as obesity and diseases in the endocrine system, many women may have hormonal imbalances that may impact their fertility and overall health. To detect these abnormalities, your doctor may order a profile to evaluate the functioning of hormones and thus recommend the appropriate treatment to improve or regulate your production.

The hormones studied in a hormonal profile are:

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): A hormone in the gonadotrophin group that acts on the ovary, favoring the development and maturation of ovarian follicles.
• Luteinizing hormone (LH) is another gonadotropin in the final step of follicular growth, ovulation, and progesterone production in the corpus luteum.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): A hormone released in the pituitary that regulates the production of thyroid hormone in the thyroid gland.
• Prolactin: This hormone is crucial during pregnancy. It stimulates milk production in the mammary glands and progesterone synthesis in the corpus luteum. Elevated levels in a non-lactating woman give the diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia, which is a cause of infertility and requires treatment to achieve pregnancy.
• Estradiol (E2): A hormone produced by the ovaries in the ovulatory follicle in response to Gonadotrophins (FSH), which, among other functions, allows the body to complete secondary sexual development and female sexual characteristics, stimulates maturation of the ovum inside the follicle and activates the release of LH, thus inducing ovulation. In addition, progesterone intervenes in preparing the endometrium for embryonic implantation.
• Progesterone (P4) is a hormone released mainly by the corpus luteum and the placenta (in case of pregnancy). It acts during the second phase of the menstrual cycle, preparing the endometrium for embryonic implantation. It is also in charge of maintaining pregnancy. If the pregnancy does not occur and its level decreases, it causes the expulsion of the endometrium, also known as menstruation.
• Antimullerian hormone (AMH): This hormone is secreted by the immature follicles of the ovary. It is used as an indicator of ovarian reserve. It does not depend on mature eggs or gonadotrophins, which means it is not dependent on the menstrual cycle, and because of this, it can be taken at any time.
• Free Triiodothyronine (T3): A hormone produced in the thyroid gland in response to the stimulation performed by TSH. It helps to evaluate thyroid function.
• Free thyroxine (T4): Another hormone produced in the thyroid gland in response to TSH. Low free T4 and T3 values may indicate decreased thyroid hormone production, essential for metabolism, including ovulation and pregnancy.
• Total testosterone (T): The male hormone par excellence. However, women produce low levels of testosterone that should later become estrogen. It may be elevated in diseases such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia or polycystic ovaries.
• Inhibin B: A hormone produced by the ovary that allows the selection of a single follicle for ovulation. Its levels have been associated with the study of ovarian reserve; however, its results have not been those expected as far as the prediction of ovarian reserve, and its use has decreased in recent years.