Should Your Order Hormone Tests Online?

Medical advances now make it possible to undergo essential testing right in the comfort of your own home. This is especially true when it comes to hormone testing, as there are a variety of tests that can be ordered online and delivered right to your door.


Hormone levels have a major impact on many bodily functions. When levels are out of whack, people can experience a wide range of bothersome symptoms. Hormone dysfunction can cause extreme tiredness, digestive issues, depression, unwanted weight gain or loss, excessive urination and many other health effects.


When these symptoms arise, hormone testing can identify the underlying cause, which is the first step toward treating it. While convenient, you may be wondering whether online hormone tests are actually worthwhile. This guide provides important insights to help you make the right decision.

Types of Tests You Can Order Online

The body uses many hormones to perform its essential functions. As a result, problem hormone levels can cause a variety of health effects. There's a wide range of online hormone tests to choose from, including the following:


Menopause - These tests look for specific hormones that can indicate whether you've entered menopause. This is often the first step for getting help with bothersome issues like night sweats and insomnia.
Stress - Known as the stress hormone, cortisol is crucial for activating your fight or flight response. However, too much cortisol increases your risk of heart disease and other ailments, including headaches and nausea.

 
Genomics - Genomics testing studies your DNA, but not to find distant relations. Instead, this test looks for possible markers that could indicate a higher risk of certain diseases. By knowing these markers, you can make changes to your lifestyle to lower your disease risk.

 
Metabolism - Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions needed to convert food into energy. This test will measure the hormones necessary in the metabolic process to ensure they're working properly.


Thyroid - Your thyroid gland is also crucial for your metabolism, as it controls your metabolic rate. Some thyroids are underactive, while others are overactive. This test can help determine thyroid function and whether there are any issues you should be aware of.

Benefits of Online Hormone Tests

The biggest benefit offered by online hormone tests is the convenience they afford. Tests are sent directly to your home and contain easy to understand instructions to ensure you conduct testing appropriately. From there, you can send the completed test back to the lab and receive the results once they've been interpreted.


Online hormone tests can also be the first step to making healthy decisions regarding your life. For example, they can uncover the reasons for unintended weight gain, extreme fatigue and other issues that can get in the way of your quality of life.

Drawbacks of Online Hormone Tests

There are lots of reputable companies that offer hormone tests online, meaning you can trust the results provided. However, you must perform your due diligence to ensure you purchase from a reputable brand. Many of these tests are not approved by the FDA and may not be as comprehensive as the tests you would undergo in your doctor's office.


Additionally, you should get any new symptoms assessed by your doctor as they arise. Home hormone tests can provide insight, but you may still require treatment for the issues you're experiencing. Checking in with your doctor ensures you receive timely treatment to prevent bothersome symptoms and other effects.


Having greater control over your health and wellness is definitely a good thing. And when online hormone tests are used correctly, that's exactly what they provide.

How Meditation Benefit Your Life?

It's hard not to feel stressed these days, whether you're concerned about work, family, or world events. It can also be hard to release stress and get your mind back on track, which increases your risk of experiencing a physical or mental health issue.

If you're looking for an all-natural method of relieving stress, meditation is the way to go. This guide explains more about the practice, as well as how it can benefit you.

What Is Mediation?

An ancient practice, meditation has been in use for thousands of years. The goal is to focus your mind and clear it of extraneous thoughts for improved mental wellness. It can entail deep breathing, repeating a mantra (a word or phrase that is supposed to help with concentration), or just sitting quietly.

Additionally, there are different types of meditation one can use. Visualization entails thinking about pleasing images to induce a relaxed and happy feeling. Conversely, mindful meditation involved being fully present and "in the moment" to boost self-awareness. While it's also a form of martial arts, tai chi uses gentle gestures performed slowly that can also have relaxing effects.

What Benefits Does It Offer?

When you make it a regular part of your lifestyle, meditation offers certain key benefits:

  • Stress can exacerbate certain medical conditions, such as anxiety and chronic pain problems. Meditation can reduce stress and have a positive effect on underlying medical conditions. 
  • Reducing stress can also have other physical effects, including decreased heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced sleep quality. 
  • When worried, meditation can help clear the mind and allow you to make decisions reasonably. 
  • Meditation also offers mood enhancement, which can boost the quality of life and improve relationships with others.

Is Meditation Right for Everyone?

Most people can derive some benefits from meditation. However, it can also be detrimental when used incorrectly. It can take some time to experience a peaceful and relaxed feeling, and people can sometimes become frustrated when it doesn't happen quickly. In this case, you must allow yourself time to get acclimated to the practice.

Additionally, meditation can be problematic for people who fall victim to procrastination. You can avoid this time trap by scheduling meditation at certain times each day, such as in the morning or later at night before bed. Keep in mind that each person is different, so it's important to find a strategy that works best for you.

How Can Beginners Get Started?

Getting started with meditation is often the most challenging aspect. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to speed up the adjustment process. Begin by establishing a short time limit, such as five minutes. That way, you won't feel pressured if you're not able to get in the right frame of mind.

Find a quiet, comfortable place in your home, a place where you can fully unwind uninterrupted. Any position is acceptable, provided that you feel comfortable. For instance, some people choose to sit while others might lie down. The most important factor is that you feel relaxed.

Focus on your breathing when getting started. In the event your mind begins to wander, which is a natural occurrence when meditating, re-focus on your breathing. Don't get discouraged if your mind wanders frequently when first getting started, as this is a common occurrence for beginners.

In terms of how often you should meditate, that's a personal decision that you must make on your own. However, people derive the most benefits from the practice when they do it on a regular basis. Accordingly, try to take some time each day to meditate, even if it's only five to ten minutes.

Life can be pretty hectic and stressful for most people, but meditation is a great tool to have in your arsenal. Along with reducing stress, it can also improve your thinking and boost your overall wellness to enhance your quality of life.