Hormones

Question 1

17 hydroxyprogesterone (female, follicular):

Answer 1

0.2-1 mg/L

17 hydroxyprogesterone (female, follicular): an intermediate product in the synthesis of cortisol and androgens. It becomes elevated when two enzymes in the synthesis of cortisol are defective, leading to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Question 2

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH):

Answer 2

4.5-20 pmol/L

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH): hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and stimulating the adrenal cortex to produce cortisol.

Question 3

Estradiol - 
(male); 
(female, follicular); 
(female, luteal); 
(postmenopausal)

Answer 3

Estradiol:

1.5-5 ng/dL (male).

2-14 ng/dL (female, follicular).

2-16 ng/d/L (female, luteal).

<3.5 ng/dL (postmenopausal).

Estradiol - estrogen hormone and a major female sex hormone involved in menstrual reproductive cycles and responsible for secondary sex characteristics. Also assists in bone, fat, liver, brain regulation. Produced in follicles of ovaries, testicles, adrenal glands, fat, liver, breasts, brain. Produced from cholesterol.

Question 4

Free T3:

Answer 4

0.2-0.5 ng/dL

Free T3: Triiodothyronine (T3) is a major hormone produced by thyroid gland. Evaluates thyroid dysfunction.

Question 5

Free T4:

Answer 5

10-20 pmol/L

Free T4: Thyroxine (T4) is another major hormone of the thyroid gland. Helps diagnose thyroid disease or monitor effectiveness of treatments.

Question 6

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH):

Answer 6

FSH:

1-10 IU/L (male).

1-10 IU/L (female, follicular/luteal).

5-25 IU/L (female, ovulation).

30-110 IU/L (postmenopausal).

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland; regulates development, growth, pubertal maturation, and reproductive processes. FSH and luteinizing hormone (LH) work together in the reproductive system.

Question 7

Growth hormone (fasting):

Answer 7

0-5 ng/mL (fasting).

Growth hormone (fasting): peptide hormone, stimulates growth, cell reproduction and regeneration.

Question 8

Progesterone (ovulation):

Answer 8

70-280 ng/dL (ovulation).

Progesterone (ovulation): first follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) stimulates an ovarian follicle to develop, then progesterone is the hormone produced from the ovarian follicle (inside the corpus luteum) which has developed/matured. Progesterone helps prepare the body for pregnancy - if the egg is not fertilized then the progesterone levels decrease causing the endometrium lining to breakdown and shed (menstruation). Evaluates ovulation, infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy.

Question 9

Prolactin

Answer 9

<14 ng/mL

Prolactin (PRL) - also known as luteotropic hormone, secreted by pituitary gland, enables milk production, regulated by hypothalamus. Used to evaluate fertility issues, irregular periods, erectile dysfunction, sex drive problems, pituitary dysfunctions, abnormal growth of body/facial hair.

Question 10

Testosterone (male):

Answer 10

10-25 nmol/L (male).

Testosterone (male): primary male sex hormone and anabolic steroid. Plays a role in development of male reproductive tissues such as testes and prostate, as well as secondary sex characteristics.

Question 11

Thyroxine-binding globulin

Answer 11

12-30 mg/L

Thyroxine-binding globulin: globulin that binds thyroid hormones in circulation. One of three transport proteins responsible for carrying T4 and T3 in the bloodstream.

Question 12

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH):

Answer 12

0.5-5 mIU/L (TSH).

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): anterior pituitary gland hormone that stimulates thyroid to produce thyroxine(T4) and then triiodothyronine(T3) which stimulates metabolism of almost very tissue in the body.

Question 13

Total T4

Answer 13

4.9-11.7 mg/dL

Total T4: (thyroxine) test that measures both free and bound T4. Free T4 - enters body tissues where it’s needed. Bound T4 - attaches to proteins, preventing it from entering body tissues.

Question 14

Total T3

Answer 14

0.7-1.5 ng/dL

Total T3: (triiodothyronine) Determines thyroid problems. Measures both free and bound T3. Free T3 - enters body tissues where it’s needed. Bound T3 - attaches to proteins, preventing it from entering body tissues.

Question 15

Folate (serum):

Answer 15

7-36 nmol/L

Folate (serum): refers to folic acid, dietary source along with some synthesized by intestinal microorganisms, associated with macrocytosis, magaloblastic anemia, neural tube defects.

Question 16

Vitamin A

Answer 16

30-65 ug/dL

Vitamin A: fat-soluble, leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, est. to affect 1/3 of children <5yrs worldwide. Found in sweet potato, squash, kale, turnips, carrots, etc.

Question 17

Vitamin B12

Answer 17

130-700 ng/L

Vitamin B12: (cobalamin) water-soluble vitamin involved in every metabolic process in the body; cofactor of DNA synthesis, assists nervous system functions and myelin synthesis, along with maturation of RBC’s in the bone marrow. Impaired absorption may be caused by loss of gastric intrinsic factor, which must be bound to food-source B12 in order for absorption to occur. Long term antacid users, PPI’s, H2 blockers may contribute to limb neuropathy, pernicious anemia (type of megaloblastic anemia.

Question 18

Vitamin C

Answer 18

0.4-1.5 mg/dL

Vitamin C: (ascorbic acid) water-soluble vitamin, involved in tissue repair, scurvy prevention, antioxidant, smoking destroys absorption; high food sources - kakadu plums, acerola cherries, guavas, sweet yellow peppers, blackcurrants, thyme (3x higher than vit C), parsley, kale, kiwis, lemons, broccoli, etc.

Question 19

Vitamin D

Answer 19

5-75 ng/mL

Vitamin D: fat-soluble vitamin; increases intestinal absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphate. Major vitamin D synthesis of cholecalciferol in the lower layers of the epidermis skin through a chemical reaction dependent on sun exposure. Only a few foods contain the source- fish skin. Plays major role in calcium function; decrease levels can cause rickets in kids(childhood form of osteomalacia).