Ordering the Advanced Metabolites Profile | ZRT Lab
Ordering the Advanced Metabolites Profile | ZRT Lab helps you check a wide range of hormone and metabolite levels that can affect energy, mood, and body function. This test measures estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol, and their breakdown products, which can help pinpoint the source of symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or weight gain. Interestingly, this test also checks for Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in plastics that can disrupt hormone balance.
When ordering, you get a detailed look at how your body processes hormones and stress chemicals:
- Shows how your body breaks down estrogen, which can affect risk for certain conditions.
- Reveals patterns in cortisol and melatonin, which can impact sleep and stress response.
- Checks for hormone imbalances that may cause hair loss, acne, or changes in weight.
- Detects exposure to BPA, which can interfere with hormone function.
- Helps track how your body makes and uses testosterone and progesterone, which can affect mood and fertility.
Who Should Consider Hormone and Metabolite Testing
People who feel tired all the time, have trouble sleeping, or notice changes in mood or weight may benefit from this test. For example, someone who has tried different diets and exercise routines but still struggles with stubborn weight gain and low energy might find answers by checking their hormone and metabolite levels.
Ordering this test may also be helpful if you:
- Experience frequent mood swings or anxiety that do not improve with lifestyle changes.
- Notice hair thinning or loss that is not explained by genetics.
- Have irregular periods or symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes or night sweats.
- Struggle with memory or focus, sometimes called “brain fog.”
- Have unexplained joint pain or inflammation, which can sometimes be linked to hormone breakdown products.
Checking these markers can help you and your doctor find the cause of symptoms like fatigue, sleep problems, or mood changes by showing if your body is making, breaking down, or reacting to hormones in a way that could be causing problems. Delaying this test could mean missing early signs of hormone imbalance, which may make symptoms harder to manage later.
How to Prepare for the Test
Fasting is not required for the Advanced Metabolites Profile, but it’s best to collect your sample at the time recommended in your kit instructions. Always follow any directions your doctor or healthcare provider gives you to make sure your sample is collected the right way and your results are as helpful as possible.
Labs Included When Ordering Your Advanced Metabolites Profile | ZRT Lab
| Test Name | Reference Range | What This Marker Means | Low and High Levels of This Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estrogen Markers | |||
| Estradiol (E2) | Women: 1.3-3.3; Men: 0.2-0.6 | Estradiol is the main estrogen in the body, important for menstrual cycles, bone strength, and mood. It helps regulate reproductive and other body functions. | High levels mean possible estrogen dominance, which can cause heavy periods or breast tenderness.
Low levels mean possible menopause or low ovarian function. |
| Estrone (E1) | Women: 0.5-2.2; Men: 0.2-0.6 | Estrone is another type of estrogen, often higher after menopause. It is made from body fat and can affect hormone balance. | High levels mean increased risk for hormone-related symptoms or conditions.
Low levels mean possible low estrogen production. |
| Estriol (E3) | Women: 0.1-1.2; Men: 0.05-0.2 | Estriol is a weaker estrogen, mostly made during pregnancy. It can help balance stronger estrogens in the body. | High levels mean possible pregnancy or hormone therapy effects.
Low levels mean less estrogen protection or possible hormone imbalance. |
| 2-Hydroxy Estradiol (2-OH E2) | 0.05-0.25 | This is a breakdown product of estradiol, showing how your body processes estrogen. It is linked to lower risk for some hormone-related problems. | High levels mean increased estrogen breakdown through a protective pathway.
Low levels mean less estrogen detoxification. |
| 2-Hydroxy Estrone (2-OH E1) | 0.1-0.4 | This marker shows how estrone is broken down. Higher levels are usually considered protective. | High levels mean more estrogen is processed safely.
Low levels mean less protective estrogen breakdown. |
| 4-Hydroxy Estradiol (4-OH E2) | 0.01-0.08 | This is another breakdown product of estradiol. High levels may be linked to higher risk for certain conditions. | High levels mean more estrogen is processed through a less safe pathway.
Low levels mean less risk from this pathway. |
| 4-Hydroxy Estrone (4-OH E1) | 0.01-0.08 | This marker shows a less common way estrone is broken down. High levels may be linked to cell changes. | High levels mean possible increased risk for cell changes.
Low levels mean less risk from this pathway. |
| 16α-Hydroxy Estrone (16α-OH E1) | 0.05-0.25 | This is a strong estrogen breakdown product. High levels may be linked to certain symptoms or risks. | High levels mean more active estrogen effects.
Low levels mean less estrogen activity from this pathway. |
| 2-Methoxy Estradiol (2-MeO E2) | 0.02-0.12 | This is a protective breakdown product of estrogen. It helps balance stronger estrogens in the body. | High levels mean more protective estrogen breakdown.
Low levels mean less protection from estrogen effects. |
| 2-Methoxy Estrone (2-MeO E1) | 0.02-0.12 | This marker shows another protective way estrogen is processed. It can help lower risk for certain problems. | High levels mean more protective estrogen breakdown.
Low levels mean less protection from estrogen effects. |
| 4-Methoxy Estradiol (4-MeO E2) | 0.01-0.06 | This is a less common breakdown product of estrogen. It helps show how your body handles estrogen. | High levels mean more estrogen is processed through this pathway.
Low levels mean less activity in this pathway. |
| 4-Methoxy Estrone (4-MeO E1) | 0.01-0.06 | This marker shows another way estrogen is broken down. It is less common but still important for balance. | High levels mean more estrogen is processed through this pathway.
Low levels mean less activity in this pathway. |
| Bisphenol A (BPA) | 0-2.0 | BPA is a chemical found in plastics that can act like estrogen in the body. It may disrupt hormone balance and affect how your body works. | High levels mean more exposure to plastics or canned foods.
Low levels mean less exposure to BPA. |
| Progesterone and Metabolites | |||
| Pregnanediol | Women: 0.5-2.5; Men: 0.1-0.5 | Pregnanediol is a breakdown product of progesterone. It shows how much progesterone your body is making and using. | High levels mean more progesterone activity.
Low levels mean possible low progesterone production. |
| Allopregnanediol | 0.1-0.6 | Allopregnanediol is a calming breakdown product of progesterone. It can affect mood and stress response. | High levels mean more calming effects from progesterone.
Low levels mean less calming effect, possible mood changes. |
| 3α-Dihydroprogesterone (3αHP) | 0.05-0.3 | This is a breakdown product of progesterone. It helps show how your body uses this hormone. | High levels mean more progesterone breakdown.
Low levels mean less progesterone activity. |
| 20α-Dihydroprogesterone (20αHP) | 0.05-0.3 | This is another breakdown product of progesterone. It helps balance hormone effects in the body. | High levels mean more progesterone is being processed.
Low levels mean less progesterone breakdown. |
| Deoxycorticosterone | 0.05-0.2 | Deoxycorticosterone is a hormone that helps control salt and water balance. It is made in the adrenal glands. | High levels mean possible adrenal overactivity.
Low levels mean possible adrenal fatigue. |
| Corticosterone | 0.1-0.4 | Corticosterone is a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands. It helps the body respond to stress and control inflammation. | High levels mean increased stress response.
Low levels mean possible adrenal fatigue or low stress response. |
| Androgens and Metabolites | |||
| DHEA | Women: 2-10; Men: 3-12 | DHEA is a hormone made by the adrenal glands. It helps make other hormones like testosterone and estrogen. | High levels mean possible adrenal overactivity or hormone therapy.
Low levels mean possible adrenal fatigue or aging. |
| Androstenedione | Women: 0.5-3.5; Men: 1.0-5.0 | Androstenedione is a building block for making testosterone and estrogen. It helps balance male and female hormones. | High levels mean possible hormone imbalance or PCOS.
Low levels mean less hormone production. |
| Androsterone | 0.5-2.5 | Androsterone is a breakdown product of testosterone. It helps show how your body uses and clears androgens. | High levels mean more androgen breakdown.
Low levels mean less androgen activity. |
| Etiocholanolone | 0.5-2.5 | Etiocholanolone is another breakdown product of testosterone. It helps show how your body processes androgens. | High levels mean more androgen breakdown.
Low levels mean less androgen activity. |
| Testosterone | Women: 10-55; Men: 100-300 | Testosterone is the main male hormone, but women make it too. It affects muscle, mood, and sex drive. | High levels mean possible PCOS or hormone therapy.
Low levels mean possible fatigue, low mood, or low sex drive. |
| Epi-Testosterone | 0.5-2.5 | Epi-Testosterone is a natural form of testosterone. It helps balance the effects of regular testosterone in the body. | High levels mean more testosterone balance.
Low levels mean less balance in androgen effects. |
| 5α-Dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT) | Women: 10-40; Men: 30-85 | 5α-DHT is a strong form of testosterone. It affects hair growth, skin, and prostate health. | High levels mean possible hair loss or acne.
Low levels mean less androgen activity. |
| 5α,3α-Androstanediol (5α3α) | 0.5-2.5 | This is a breakdown product of DHT. It helps show how your body processes strong androgens. | High levels mean more DHT breakdown.
Low levels mean less DHT activity. |
| Cortisol, Cortisone, and Metabolites | |||
| Total Cortisol | 10-50 | Cortisol is the main stress hormone. It helps control energy, blood sugar, and the body’s response to stress. | High levels mean possible stress, inflammation, or adrenal overactivity.
Low levels mean possible adrenal fatigue or low stress response. |
| Free Cortisol x4 | Morning: 3-10; Noon: 1-5; Evening: 0.5-3; Night: 0.2-1.5 | Free cortisol is the active form of cortisol in your body. Testing at four times shows your daily stress pattern. | High levels mean stress or adrenal overactivity at certain times.
Low levels mean possible adrenal fatigue or low stress response. |
| Total Cortisone | 10-50 | Cortisone is a less active form of cortisol. It helps show how your body balances stress hormones. | High levels mean more cortisol is being changed to cortisone.
Low levels mean less cortisone activity. |
| Free Cortisone x4 | Morning: 3-10; Noon: 1-5; Evening: 0.5-3; Night: 0.2-1.5 | Free cortisone is the active form of cortisone. Testing at four times shows how your body handles stress all day. | High levels mean more cortisone activity at certain times.
Low levels mean less cortisone activity. |
| Tetrahydrocortisol (THF) | 1.5-5.0 | THF is a breakdown product of cortisol. It helps show how your body clears stress hormones. | High levels mean more cortisol breakdown.
Low levels mean less cortisol activity. |
| Tetrahydrocortisone (THE) | 1.5-5.0 | THE is a breakdown product of cortisone. It helps show how your body processes stress hormones. | High levels mean more cortisone breakdown.
Low levels mean less cortisone activity. |
| Melatonin | |||
| Melatonin x4 (MT6s x4) | Morning: 10-40; Noon: 5-20; Evening: 20-80; Night: 30-120 | Melatonin is the sleep hormone. Testing at four times shows your daily sleep-wake pattern and if your body makes enough melatonin at night. | High levels mean more melatonin production, which may cause sleepiness.
Low levels mean possible trouble falling or staying asleep. |
Reference ranges may change slightly as labs update their methods or as new research becomes available.
Advanced Metabolites Profile FAQ
Is there Advanced Metabolites Profile testing near me?
This is a home test kit, so you can collect your sample locally and send it to the lab using the included shipping materials. If you have symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or trouble sleeping, having a convenient way to collect your sample at home makes it easier to get answers without extra travel or waiting.
How do I interpret the test results?
While your doctor should review your results, we also offer a one-on-one test results review with our clinical team to help you understand what your numbers mean and what steps you can take next.
What is the cost of the test?
The price you see includes standard shipping to you and back to the lab, but some locations may charge a draw fee if a blood sample is needed. Ordering this test can help you find out if hormone imbalances are causing symptoms like fatigue or mood swings, so you can start working on solutions sooner.
How often should I retest?
It’s best to retest every 6 to 12 months, or as your doctor recommends, to track changes in hormone and metabolite levels over time. Regular testing helps you and your doctor see if treatments or lifestyle changes are working and adjust your plan as needed.
How accurate is the test?
This test uses liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which is highly specific and sensitive for measuring hormones and metabolites. The test has a specificity of 98% and a sensitivity of 97%. TrueHealthLabs.com partners with CLIA-certified and CAP-certified laboratories to uphold rigorous testing standards for dependable results.
Important Notes
- This test cannot be shipped to and collected in New York. Contact us with questions
Medical Review Board
Reviewed by Jeff Donohue M.D. from Body Logic and Brady Hurst DC, CCCN. Written by True Health Lab’s team of editorial health contributors.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
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