Menopause Comprehensive Profile Test
Menopause Comprehensive Profile Test
The Menopause Comprehensive Profile is a multiphasic health test that monitors the action of certain hormones and other biochemical parameters in women showing signs of menopause or transitioning into menopause. It also guides treatment choices and helps doctors monitor the risk of long-term health complications during and after menopause.
Menopause is a natural process in which women aged between 45 and 55 cease to have monthly menstrual cycles for 12 consecutive months. During this time, the ovaries no longer release eggs and the levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. Even the estradiol levels drop significantly, which leads to most symptoms of menopause. Hysterectomy, radiation therapy, and certain medications are other factors that may induce menopause.
What is Menopause Comprehensive Profile Used For?
Your doctor might order a menopausal comprehensive profile
To find out if menopause or perimenopause have begun
To diagnose menstrual irregularities in women of childbearing age
For individualization of treatment
To monitor the effectiveness of hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women
Symptoms of Menopause
Women, when transitioning into menopause, would experience some or all of the following symptoms
Hot flashes
Night sweat
Irregular periods
Vaginal dryness and pain
Difficulty in sleeping
Mood swings- such as low mood or irritability
Thinning hair and change in skin texture
Worsening headaches or migraines
Breast tenderness
Joint and muscle pain
Rapid heartbeat
Urinary urgency
Weight gain and slow metabolism
Which Tests are Included in Menopause Comprehensive Profile?
The Menopause comprehensive panel includes the following subtests:
- Estradiol (E2): This test measures the levels of E2 hormone in the blood to reflect issues ranging from fertility problems to menopause to liver damage.
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH): This test measures the amount of luteinizing hormone (LH) in blood to determine the underlying causes of infertility, low sex drive, and problems related to the pituitary gland.
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH): It's a blood test that measures FSH levels to diagnose various conditions such as infertility, abnormal menstrual cycles, or early (precocious) or delayed puberty.
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): This test measures the level of TSH in the blood to determine the functional status of the thyroid gland, potentially addressing conditions like menopause.
- Triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4): This blood test measures the level of T3 and T4 in the blood of peri-and postmenopausal women treated for thyroid disorders to determine the likelihood of bone and heart diseases.
- Albumin: This test measures the level of albumin in the blood to predict the future risk of cardiometabolic diseases in women experiencing menopause.
- Alkaline phosphatase (ALP): This blood test determines ALP activity in the blood to reflect the onset of bone loss occurring after menopause.
- Calcium: This test measures and compares calcium levels in pre- and postmenopausal women.
- Phosphorus: The test evaluates the levels of phosphorus in the blood to determine the onset of menopause and predict the risk of future coronary heart problems in postmenopausal women.
Lipid profile extended: This test measures the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) in the blood to determine the women's menopausal status and their risk of various health disorders.
Preparation for Test
No special preparation is required. But let your doctor know all the medications and supplements you take.
Interpretation of Test Results
The normal value for each sub-test in the profile may vary depending on the patient's age. So, the results are often interpreted in conjunction with clinical symptoms.
FSH: Levels of serum FSH consistently higher than >30 mIU/mL indicate the early onset of menopause or fertility issues. However, it's important to note that pelvic surgeries may also elevate FSH levels temporarily.
Estradiol (E2): The level of estradiol below 20 pg/mL is suggestive of menopause. However, during the perimenopausal period, estradiol levels may fluctuate.
Luteinizing Hormone (LH): Higher levels of LH in women aged 45 and older indicate approaching menopause. While in women of childbearing age, it may indicate the presence of disorders affecting the ovaries, such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), primary ovarian insufficiency, etc.
Lipid Profile Test: Increased levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglycerides (TG) suggest perimenopause.
Calcium: Low serum calcium levels indicate postmenopausal status. However, it may also arise after a hysterectomy due to insufficient hormone production.
Phosphorus Test: Low phosphorus levels may occur in women experiencing early menopause or menstrual irregularities, whereas high levels of this mineral may occur after menopause.
Albumin: Higher levels of albumin indicate an early onset of menopause.
TSH, T3/T4: Low TSH levels with normal T3/T4 indicate hyperthyroidism, whereas high TSH and normal T3/T4 indicate hypothyroidism.
Alkaline phosphatase: ALP levels typically range from 44 to 147 IU/L, with higher levels indicating bone loss in postmenopausal women.
FAQs
Who Should Get the Menopause comprehensive profile Test Done?
This test is usually advised for:
- Women showing early signs of menopause
- Women having menstrual irregularities
- Women with uterine or ovarian cancers and have undergone radiation therapy or hysterectomy
Women experiencing problems with conceiving
How often should a Menopause comprehensive profile test be done?
The frequency of doing this test depends on the symptoms you may have and the discretion of your doctor.
Does menopause put me at risk of other health conditions?
Yes, women after menopause are at increased risk of developing osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases due to falling estrogen levels.
Why do I need a thyroid test with the menopause test?
Thyroid disorders can present with similar symptoms to menopause, so checking thyroid function helps differentiate between the two.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy, or menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), alleviates symptoms of the menopausal transition (MT) and actual menopause by supplementing estrogen and progesterone levels when they drop.
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