17-Hydroxysteroids, Total (menopause)

If high Total 17-hydroxysteroids, with or w/out high cortisol:

Possible causes:

- High cortisol production, e.g., stress, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosa, Cushing’s disease
- Normal or low cortisol production in conjunction with increased clearance of cortisol

--> Confirm adrenal function with salivary AdrenoCortex Stress Profile or serum a.m. cortisol

Treatment Options for Adrenal Excess (confirmed by saliva or serum):

Identify sources of cortisol activation:

- Inflammation, 
- infections,
- hypoglycemia,
- dysbiosis/leaky gut,
- allergies, 
- abdominal fat/insulin resistance,
- hypothyroid, 
- licorice ingestion

Stress management:

- Adequate sleep,
- meditation, 
- yoga, 
- or other stress-reducing activities

Dietary adjustments:

- Reduce stimulants such as caffeine, ephedra, yerba mate;
- minimize high glycemic-load foods

Adrenal nutrient support:

- Vitamin C, 
- zinc,
- B vitamins, 
- consider extra B6 (100 -200 mg/d) and B5 (500-1500 mg/d);
- consider phosphatidyl-serine,
- GABA, 
- L-theanine

Consider additional support:

- Eleutherococcus,
- ashwagandha,
- astragalus, 
- schizandra,
- rhodiola, 
- passion flower, 
- St. John’s wort,
- valerian, 
- skullcap, 
- hops, 
- magnolia bark,
- DHEA

If low Total 17-hydroxysteroids, with or w/out high cortisol:

Possible causes:

- Suppression of endogenous cortisol production from glucocorticoids, e.g., Prednisone
- Low cortisol production, e.g., adrenal insufficiency or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (enzyme deficiency)
- Pituitary insufficiency

Treatment options for Adrenal Insufficiency:

Address physiologic sources of stress:

- Inflammation,
- infections,
- hypoglycemia,
- dysbiosis/leaky gut,
- allergies

Stress management:

- Adequate sleep,
- meditation, 
- yoga, 
- or other stress-reducing activities

Dietary adjustments:

- Reduce intake of sweets and other high-glycemic load foods

Adrenal nutrient support:

- Vitamin C, 
- zinc,
- B vitamins, 
- consider extra B6 (100 -200 mg/d) and B5 (500-1500 mg/d)

Consider additional support:

- Eleutherococcus,
- Panax ginseng,
- ashwagandha,
- astragalus,
- schizandra,
- rhodiola,
- licorice

An elevated 17-hydroxysteroids total and/or cortisol total may be caused by stress, strenuous exercise, inflammation, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, hypothyroidism, or licorice ingestion.