Tying it all together – Whether your goals are to maximize your athletic performance or simply optimize your overall level of health, an adequate balance of both the anabolic (testosterone and :: DHEA ::) and catabolic (cortisol and estrogen) hormones is key. The terms “anabolic” and “catabolic” refer to the specific effect that these hormones have on the growth, maintenance and repair of cells inside your body. Anabolic hormone levels reach their peak during a man’s twenties and decrease with age. These powerful hormones are essential for healthy muscle growth, tissue repair, :: immune response :: and metabolism. Catabolic hormones have just the opposite effect. They promote muscle and tissue breakdown, decreased immunity and reduced metabolism. Catabolic hormones increase with age, stress, and illness.Optimal health is a state characterized by a high ratio of anabolic to catabolic hormones.

Only through comprehensive hormonal testing of testosterone, DHEA, estrogen and cortisol can this important ratio be assessed. :: Testosterone :: and DHEA levels should be in the high normal range. Levels of estrogen and cortisol should be in the low normal range. Comprehensive hormonal testing can be a useful tool in providing insights into the cause of low testosterone. High estrogen may be at the root of the problem inhibiting testosterone production. And stress may be the culprit when low DHEA and/or abnormal cortisol levels are observed  :: Read More ::