ABSTRACT
It is often helpful to look at hormones from a functional, hierarchical perspective when considering their potential roles in causing or contributing to depression. When we look at lab assessments for adrenal and reproductive steroids and thyroid hormones, we are looking at extremely important information because these are genomic hormones; they directly switch “on and off” the body’s
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 189 A Functional Endocrinology Approach to Depression .................................................................. 190 Testing Adrenal Steroids, Reproductive Steroids, and Thyroid Hormones in Blood, Urine, and Saliva: Advantages and Disadvantages ................................................................................... 191
Salivary Hormone Testing: Advantages .................................................................................... 191 Salivary Hormone Testing: Disadvantages................................................................................ 192 Blood (Serum) Hormone Tests: Advantages ............................................................................. 194 Blood (Serum) Hormone Tests: Disadvantages ........................................................................ 194
24-Hour Urine Hormone Testing: Advantages .............................................................................. 195 24-Hour Urine Hormone Testing: Disadvantages .......................................................................... 198 24-Hour Urine Test Analytes: Sex Hormones ................................................................................ 198
Estrogens ................................................................................................................................... 198 Progesterones ............................................................................................................................ 199 Androgens .................................................................................................................................200
24-Hour Urine Test Analytes: Glucocorticoids .............................................................................. 201 Pregnanetriol ............................................................................................................................. 201 Cortisol ...................................................................................................................................... 201 Cortisone ................................................................................................................................... 201 Tetrahydrocortisone, Tetrahydrocortisol, and Allo-tetrahydrocortisol ......................................202 11β-OH Androsterone and 11β-OH Etiocholanolone ...............................................................202
24-Hour Urine Test Analytes: Mineralocorticoids .........................................................................202 Aldosterone ...............................................................................................................................202 Allo-tetrahydrocorticosterone, Tetrahydrocorticosterone, and 11-Dehydrotetrahydrocorticosterone ........................................................................................202
Thyroid Hormones .........................................................................................................................203 Urinary Minerals (Sodium and Potassium) ....................................................................................203 Enzyme Activity .............................................................................................................................203 Conclusion .....................................................................................................................................204 References ......................................................................................................................................205
DNA programs. We could call this class of hormones the “supreme commanders,” because they signicantly impact protein synthesis and can have a profound effect on moods, behavior, and inammatory cytokines.
