Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone

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What's

Pregnenolone

Pregnenolone, sometimes called the "master hormone," is a natural substance produced in your body. It's mainly created in your adrenal glands, but also in other parts like your liver, skin, brain, testicles, ovaries, and the back of your eyes. Pregnenolone is the foundation for making all your steroid hormones, such as DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrogen, and cortisol. It plays a crucial role in thinking, memory, and mood regulation. Moreover, it's involved in many body functions, like dealing with stress, supporting the immune system, and managing inflammation. In short, pregnenolone is essential for keeping your hormones balanced and maintaining overall health.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated pregnenolone levels might suggest that your adrenal glands are working extra hard, which can happen for various reasons. Chronic stress, an overactive immune system, or certain medications like corticosteroids might be causing this increase. Lifestyle factors, such as eating a lot of fatty foods, not exercising enough, or drinking too much alcohol, could also play a role. Additionally, as we get older, our bodies might produce more pregnenolone to make up for a decrease in other hormones.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Pregnenolone may include anxiety, irritability, restlessness, or insomnia. Some individuals might also experience physical changes such as acne, oily skin, or increased body hair.

If Your Levels are Low

Low pregnenolone levels might mean that your body isn't making enough of this important hormone. This can happen for various reasons, such as being under a lot of stress, getting older, or not getting enough nutrients. When you're stressed, your body might focus more on making cortisol, a stress hormone, instead of pregnenolone. As you age, your body naturally makes less pregnenolone. Not having enough cholesterol in your diet can also affect pregnenolone levels, since cholesterol is needed to make this hormone. Some medications, like corticosteroids, could also impact how much pregnenolone your body produces.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Pregnenolone may include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, mood swings, decreased libido, and memory problems.

See References

Test for

Access Med Labs

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring pregnenolone. It is used to help diagnose adrenal disorders.

Pregnenolone

Access Labcorp Draw

Serum

This is a single-marker test measuring pregnenolone. It is used to help diagnose adrenal disorders.

CONTENTS

What is it?

High Levels

Low Levels

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