I am new posting on this topic. I am going to my gyn. next week and I want a Hormone Panel done because of severe meno. symptoms that I have been having for around a month now. It came on like a switch. I am 49 yrs. old and have been in perio. for years but this has hit me so suddenly. I have the hot flashes on and off all day, insomnia severe, sweating at night and most of all hair shedding like crazy - Scary ! Can anyone let me know what is it they test for in a hormonal panel and what hormone is lacking for the hair shedding ? Thanks.

Cat-e

i would ask for FSH, TH, estradiol, estrone or total estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, prolactine, pregnenolone, DHEA, and a full thyroid panel: TSH, FT4, FT3, RT3, and antibodies.
Frankly, there is no single hormones that causes hair loss, it can be combination of low estrogen with high androgens, or can be your thyroid, the symptoms can overlap.
I would try to outrule autoimmune hypothorodism, this alone can cause lots of nasty symptoms.
Now sure if you use soy in your diet, if so, this can be a culprit, IMHO.
Also, see if you getting enough protein, and I mean from animal sources, not from soy. Protein is the most important during perimenopause and enough of good fat, as these are building blocks for hormones.
Best of luck,
I.

Cat-E:
Iradan has given you some good advice. You may also want to have an iron panel (including serum ferritin) done.
Avi

There is an endocrinologist Geoffry Redmond who specializes in hormone issues as well as hair loss. His book is called "Its Your Hormones". Here is a link to his website.

http://www.hormonehelpny.com/column/alopecia.htm

Was there a change in your period that triggered this sudden worsening of symptoms?

I've discovered that since beginning calcium supplements a few years ago, my hair doesn't fall out like it used to, and I've actually got more hair than I had before the hormone problems. I think it's the zinc and magnesium in the supplements that actually helps.