Q&A's about the
New "Ru25 Plus" FSH
Menopause Test,
FSH and Hormone testing, Serum (blood) and Saliva Hormone Testing,
and the condition of Menopause and Peri-menopause.
_____________________________________________________________
The "Ru25
Plus" FSH Menopause Test
l
What is the "Ru25 Plus" FSH
Menopause Test?
l What is FSH?
l Who can benefit
from the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test?
l How
is the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause test performed?
l What does mIU/ml stand for?
l What are
the normal expected FSH values of women?
l Does it mean
that I am menopausal if my first test reads positive?
l My test is
negative. Does that mean I’m not in menopause?
l Can I use the test as a form of
birth control?
Peri-menopause and Menopause
l
What is Peri-menopause?
l When does menopause normally
start?
Serum Hormone Testing, Saliva
Hormone Testing and
the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test
l
How are hormones measured?
l Which
type of testing is more accurate for testing estrogen and
progesterone,
the serum (blood testing) or saliva?
l Is
serum hormone analysis better then saliva testing?
l How
does the RU25 Plus FSH Menopause Test compare to the
serum
or saliva testing?
l Who should get hormone
tested?
l What
are the basic serum tests suggested?
l When
having serum testing done, is it important to have all
of
the basic tests done?
l What
is the difference between having serum testing?
saliva
testing, and the RU25 Plus FSH Menopause Test?
l What if I
get serum hormone tested and all my levels are normal?
What is the "Ru25 Plus" FSH
Menopause Test?
The "Ru25
Plus" FSH Menopause Test is an in vitro device which
detects FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) in urine. It can help a woman identify if
her period changes, hot flashes, and other symptoms are being caused by elevated FSH
levels or menopause.
The "Ru25
Plus" FSH Menopause Test is only available by HormoneCheck.com
and approved affiliates, and is only sold in kit form. The kit contains 2 (two) tests so
that positive results can be confirmed. This test is cleared by the FDA for home use. read product
labeling
What is FSH?
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. In women,
FSH plays an essential role in the reproductive cycle as it stimulates the ovaries to
produce eggs. (1,2)
In normal cycling
pre-menopausal women, FSH and LH (lutienizing hormone) levels rise and fall in response to
the rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone levels with peak FSH
levels averaging approximately 25 mIL/mL at mid-cycle. Just before ovulation
(mid-cycle) a rise in FSH and LH can be detected. After an egg is released
(ovulation) the developed corpus luteum secretes estrogen and progesterone which then in
turn causes the levels of FSH and LH to decrease.
As a woman nears
menopause and as her ovarian function and estrogen secretion decreases, her FSH levels
notably surge and rise. The FSH surge is generally that of 10
fold (approximately 110 mIU/mL, can reach as high as 500 mIU/mL) compared to normal
levels, and can remain constant for many years after menopause.(4)
If FSH levels
remain elevated during the entire cycle, then this is evidence that the pituitary gland is
continuing to produce FSH because there has been an interruption or failure in normal egg
follicle stimulation.
Because high
levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are associated with low estrogen levels, the usual reasons for FSH levels that remain evaluated throughout the cycle
are related to the gradual shutdown (failure) of the ovaries or menopause.
Who can benefit from the
"Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test?
Any woman who thinks she may be in the transition of menopause or peri-menopause can
benefit from using this test.
How is the test
performed?
The "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test works like a home pregnancy test. It
is a midstream device which is used by holding the device in your stream, or by dipping
the tip of the device into collected urine. The results will indicate if the FSH levels
are either over 25 mIU/ml (test reads positive) or less then 25 mIU/ml (test reads
negative).
What does mIU/ml stand for?
The definition of mIU/ml is milli-international units per milliliter. The
"m" stands for milli which is 1/1,000g. A milligram (mg) is a measure of
weight while milliliter (ml) is a measure of volume. Simply put, it's a scientific
type of measurement.
What are the normal
expected FSH values of women?
The average FSH levels in pre-menopausal women will vary from 5 to 25 mIU/mL during the
normal menstrual cycle. (3) These FSH levels will form a test line that is lighter
or similar to the color and intensity of the control line. Higher levels of FSH will lead
to a test line that has a stronger color and intensity then that of the control
line.
Does it mean that I am menopausal if my first test
reads positive?
No.
Because there is a short time each month were normal
cycling pre-menopausal women (reproductive
age) have a normal FSH rise, two tests are provided as a kit so you can
re-check to confirm if your FSH levels remain evaluated.
If your first
test reads positive, repeat using the 2nd test approximately 5 to 7 days later to
determine if your FSH levels are still elevated.
Two positive
tests for elevated FSH is a clue to the onset of menopause or some other medical condition
adversely effecting normal ovarian function. It indicates that the levels of sex
hormones such as estradiol, progesterone and testosterone, et. al, have declined and you
are in the stage of the peri-menopause. You should discuss your test results and symptoms
with your doctor.
My test is negative. Does that mean I’m
not in menopause?
No. While a negative test
result means that you are probably not in menopause, if you are experiencing some of the
common symptoms associated with menopause you should discuss your symptoms with your
doctor.
Can I use the "Ru25 Plus"
FSH Menopause test as a form of birth control?
No. Contraceptives should
never be discontinued based on the results of this test.
Prior to use of the "Ru25
Plus" FSH Menopause Test read all product labeling, information, and precautions.
What is peri-menopause?
Peri-menopause is the transition period between pre- and post-menopause. Symptoms of
peri-menopause vary from woman to woman.
The
symptoms of peri-menopause, menopause, or that of a depleted hormonal state often
first manifest as sleep disturbances/insomnia, chronic fatigue, hot flashes,
depression, mood swings, memory loss, urinary infections/incontinence, and loss of sex
drive. The state of being hormone depleted, menopausal, and the symptoms
that accompany the condition can greatly affect a woman's well being, her social/work
life, and family life.
When does menopause start?
The term "menopause" by definition is the point of time of having gone one year
without a menstrual cycle. Once this event occurs it can be stated that your
menopause occurred 12 month prior at the time of your final menstrual period, and that you
are post-menopause.
Menopause
usually occurs in women in their late forties to late fifties. A very small percent of
women (estimated to be less than 1%) experience early menopause before the age of 40.
For women experiencing early menopause, long term effects without treatment may
include earlier and more severe cases of osteoporosis and increased risk of and earlier
onset of heart disease.
The menopausal
transition begins with a rise in FSH levels and changes in menstrual cycle length and ends
with the final menstrual period. This transition period lasts for most women about 4
years. A small portion of women cease menstruating abruptly with no menstrual irregularity
but the majority of women experience menstrual irregularity.
A positive RU25
Plus FSH Menopause test only tells you that FSH levels in your body are (elevated) greater
than 25 mIU/ml and you may be in the transition of menopause. It does not tell you exactly
when you will reach menopause.
How are hormones measured?
Hormones can be detected and measured
with serum testing (blood draw), by collecting saliva/body fluid samples for lab
analysis (could be done during routine paps), and by in vitro devices which detects
hormone presence and volume in urine as the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test does.
Which type of testing is more accurate
for testing estrogen and progesterone, the serum (blood testing) hormone testing or saliva
hormone testing?
Serum analysis (blood test)
measures the true total (100%) of both the unbound (free) hormones and the bound (stored)
hormones. When serum tests are measured and analyzed it is known that 100% is the amount
being analyzed.
The saliva testing and
results can be greatly affected or altered by outside influences such as what you've
recently eaten, drank, smoking, by use of the pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and
many other influences.
Measuring hormones by
saliva does not measure 100% of all the hormones present but just the free, unbound
hormones within your system. The amount of hormones that are free and unbound at any given
moment is has been stated to be anywhere from 1% to 5% of the entire total so it's never
really known if what is being measured is 1% of the total hormone present or 5 % of the
total hormones present. Because it is known that serum testing measures 100% of the total
one could argue that this makes the serum testing a more exact measurement because there
are no unknown variables.
Because the saliva testing
measures the amounts what your body can actually use at that moment it has been strongly
inferred and often outright stated by the promoters of these tests that the saliva testing
is better then serum testing. Women have been told, "what's the point of
knowing how much hormones you're storing, you can't use them anyway so what's the
point?" Women are told that, "it doesn't matter how much is being
stored…" Yes, women have been told that this information is not
necessary! Saliva testing can measure what is free and unbound but to infer
because saliva can make this measurement that it's better then serum at determining a
woman's overall hormonal health is just not true.
A comparison could be made
to fat and energy. We have energy stored in fat as calories. Energy is continuously
available to us (we even burn calories when we sleep.)
A small portion of energy
is always available for immediate use and the rest is stored. To tell a woman how much
"energy" she has at any given moment, or how many calories she is currently
burning but then to tell her that it doesn't matter how much she weighs, that it doesn't
matter what percentage of her body weight is fat, or to make statements that it is not
necessary to know this information for good health would be inaccurate. The same goes for
hormones. When analyzing a women's hormonal health it is very important to
know how much is being stored and in what levels.
Only serum analysis (a
blood test) can measure sex binding hormone (SHBG) because saliva testing can not
measure proteins. Do not get confused that SHBG is a hormone because of the word hormone
is in its title. SHBG is not a hormone, it is a protein. SHBG is the principle
protein that regulates and binds hormones together leaving just a small percentage (1% to
5%) free and unbound. Saliva testing only measures hormones, it can not
measure proteins. You can spit out hormones but you cannot spit out proteins.
SHBG levels can determine
if your hormones are being bound and in what amounts. Your SHBG levels also affect how
much estrogen and testosterone your ovaries produces. If your SBHG level is high, low or
normal and comparing it to your hormone levels, and seeing if those levels are high, low,
or normal gives a much clearer picture of your overall hormonal health then saliva
testing.
Is serum hormone analysis
better then saliva testing?
Both types of tests are good at what they do. They both look for the same thing
(hormones) but in different forms.
For applications such as
obtaining baseline levels and yearly monitoring the serum testing is better. Saliva
testing is good for other applications such as women under going fertility treatments, and
the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test also has a place in women's healthcare. Women
at times might choose to all types of testing in combination.
For anyone to state that
saliva is better, or is the only testing women need is wrong. Each type of
testing has their place and role in the arena of women's health care.
How
does the "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test
compare to the serum or saliva testing?
The "Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test is very good at what it
does. It measures and detects human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
in urine at a sensitivity cutoff level of 25 mIL/ml (anything less the test reads
negative, anything more the test reads positive).
Who should get hormone tested?
It is suggested by some health proffesionals that all women should obtain
baseline serum hormone levels starting at age thirty-five.
The "Ru25 Plus"
FSH Menopause Test is another tool that a woman can use to monitor her hormone
health. it is non-invasive, less expensive that serum testing, does not require
travel to a lab to have a blood draw, and gives a woman accurate results in a matter of
minutes in the privacy of her own home. Many women opt to pre-test at home prior to
requesting serum testing and undergoing the time, cost, and expense of serum
testing.
Still, serum
testing may detect SHBG and estrogen levels changes before the FSH levels changes are
detected, as these changes must take place in order for the FSH level to rise.
Ideally, it would be best, (especially in the case of young women), to know that hormone
levels are changing prior to detecting an evaluated FSH level.
What are the basic serum
tests suggested?
Follow this link for an outline of suggested baseline testing.
Baseline
hormone testing for all women should be as standard as mammograms are for women at age
forty. Loss of hormones or of hormone production can affect both your physical and
mental health (examples include bone health, memory, and libido).
In the U.S.,
your odds are more then one in four of one day having a hysterectomy or a reproductive
surgery which could affect your fertility. Your chance of one-day having a surgery
that could affect your hormone production or possibly castrate you is much higher then
getting breast cancer, yet women are not routinely offered hormone testing as they are
with mammograms. Having information about what your levels are when you are in the
prime of your life and feeling your best is good information to have in your medical files
if you ever need HRT or wish to match your baseline levels.
It is has been
suggested that the medical standard for hormone testing should include:
All women
(including women younger then 30) before all surgical procedures or medical treatments
which could affect her hormone levels short term or long term: This would include being
tested before a hysterectomy, tubal ligation, UAE, prior to donating eggs, lupron shots,
and so on.
Women who are experiencing
irregular periods or cycles. (regardless of age) This would include missing cycles (in
absent of pregnancy), experiencing long periods (longer then 10 days of bleeding) long or
short cycles (having two periods in a month, going 45 days between cycles).
All women who have had a
tubal ligation, hysterectomy, UAE, one or both ovaries removed one or both fallopian tubes
removed, or any type of surgical or medical treatment that could have affected her hormone
production. (regardless of age)
Women who are suffering
hormonal or menopausal symptoms such as: hot flashes, chills, night sweats, bouts of rapid
heart beat, irritability, mood swings, trouble sleeping, loss of libido/sexual drive,
crashing or chronic fatigue (CFS), anxiety, difficulty concentrating, fuzzy logic, memory
lapses, sore joints/muscles, increase in headaches/migraines, depression, allergies
developing or increasing, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), sudden weight gain or loss, hair
loss or thinning, episodes of dizziness or light-headedness, and loss of balance.
(regardless of age)
When
having serum testing done, is it important to have all of the basic tests done?
Yes. Measuring hormones and analyzing hormonal health is like putting together a
puzzle. Many different levels are measured and then compared to each other. To check just
one or two levels would be like looking at just one or two pieces of a 50-piece puzzle.
Levels or measurements are grouped and analyzed in conjunction with others. For example,
it would not make sense to look at a woman's FSH level with out also measuring her LH
level. One is always compared to the other. Looking at only one of the levels would be
like looking at only 1/2 of picture because you are getting only 1/2 of the information.
Information from just one level is useless with out knowing the other level(s).
Cholesterol levels start to
rise as the hormones start to go, so women in menopause or experiencing a hormonal
imbalance are at greater risk for heart disease.
What
is the difference between having serum testing, saliva testing, and tests such as the
"Ru25 Plus" FSH Menopause Test?
Hormones are found in the system in two types of states, bound and unbound (free). Saliva
testing measures the hormones that are unbound (free), or what is available for use at
that very moment. Serum (blood) testing measures the total of both the bound and unbound
(free). The RU25 Plus - FSH Menopause Test test looks for unbound human follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) in your urine at a sensitivity cutoff level of 25 mIL/ml
(anything less is negative, and thing more is positive). To compare the
different types of testing is like comparing apples, oranges, and pears.
Serum hormone analysis has
been and still is the industry standard, ordered and understood by all
doctors.
There has been a big push
by the manufactures and promoters of the saliva tests to sell, sell, and sell! Part of the
marketing of these tests has been statements such as saliva tests are "more
accurate" and "better". The truth is serum testing is accurate and is still
the industry standard because saliva testing has limitations.
Saliva testing is good if
you only want to know what is available for immediate use but bad if you want to know what
your body is storing. Despite what some promoters of the saliva tests say serum
testing is accurate, especially when the tests are grouped and ordered together so that
they can be properly analyzed.
What if I
get serum hormone tested and all my levels are normal?
If your levels are in normal range the information will provide you with a
baseline for future reference. If they are not in normal range you may want to consider
therapy options.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Dahl, K.D.. Stone, M.P. J. Androl. 13: 11-22 (1992).
2. Simoni, M., Nieschlag, E. J.Endocrinollnvest. 14: 983-997 (1991)
3. Chritin-Maitre, S and Bouchard, P. Molec Cell Endocrin. 125: 151-159. (1996)
4. Ushiroyama, T et.al. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scnad 68: 1339-143 (1989)
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