Weight Management Test 101

Obesity is a growing epidemic. The average person gains 1.5 pounds of fat every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 40 percent of adults are obese, with the highest prevalence of obesity occurring in men and women older than 40. Your metabolism is directly affected by your hormone levels, dietary patterns, stress levels, and your ability to maintain physical activity, muscle mass, and optimal nutrition status.

Hormones

Your body composition changes naturally over time because of fluctuating hormone levels associated with age. Thorne's Weight Management test measures estrogen (in the form of estradiol), testosterone, DHEA-S, and progesterone ‐ all hormones that naturally decrease with age (except for estrogen levels in men, which tend to go up with age as testosterone goes down). These hormones, along with the other biomarkers in this test, are important regulators of body composition, including maintenance of muscle mass and changes in body fat accumulation, metabolism, and energy levels. An imbalance in one or more of these hormone levels could be sabotaging your ability to lose weight or maintain your current weight.

In addition to the sex hormones, the Weight Management Test measures thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), a primary indicator of thyroid function. TSH stimulates the production of thyroid hormones T3 and T4, which are responsible for regulating the speed at which cells work ‐ everything from how fast your heart beats to how fast your intestines process food. An underactive thyroid gland slows down your body's metabolism, which decreases energy production and contributes to weight gain. Progesterone levels also play a role in thyroid function.

Insulin Resistance

Thorne's Weight Management test measures insulin and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), two biomarkers of carbohydrate tolerance and blood sugar management. When you consume sugar, the hormone insulin is released from your pancreas to take that sugar from the bloodstream into your cells to be used for energy. Any extra sugar is stored and converted into body fat. Type 2 diabetes occurs as a result of insulin resistance ‐ the inability to use insulin effectively or make enough insulin ‐ which results in elevated blood glucose levels. Being overweight can increase your risk of becoming insulin resistant or having an elevated level of blood sugar. And on the flipside, a high insulin level can contribute to you being overweight.

HbA1c is a measure of your overall blood sugar control and can be used as a marker of risk for diabetes. The HbA1c test measures your average blood sugar during the past three-month period by measuring the amount of hemoglobin in your blood that has glucose attached to it. Having higher average blood sugar levels over time will result in an elevated HbA1c level. An elevated HbA1c increases your risk for insulin resistance, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D has always been known for its capacity to support calcium absorption and bone health. More recently, an understanding of its wider role in the body has emerged, which includes healthy immune function, maintaining a normal inflammatory response, supporting muscle structure and function, and support for weight management. Overweight individuals tend to have a lower vitamin D level because vitamin D can be sequestered in body fat, and the ability to maintain higher vitamin D levels is associated with weight loss. Although the sun is a primary source of vitamin D for humans, we don't get as much sun as our ancestors did, which puts us at risk for lower levels. A chronically lower level of vitamin D is also associated with a higher risk for diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Stress

Cortisol is a hormone made in your adrenal glands. It is often called "the stress hormone" because your body releases more cortisol when you are experiencing stress, are ill, or have a low blood sugar level. Cortisol levels fluctuate naturally during the day, with the highest level usually being in the morning to help you wake up, to enhance your energy and appetite, and to moderate your normal response to physical and emotional stress during the day. When your cortisol levels are altered, a wide variety of adverse health effects can be experienced, including mood changes, energy changes, altered immune function, and weight changes.

Test taker must be 18+ and reside in the U.S. 

At-home tests are not permitted for use in:

• Armed Forces Americas
• Armed Forces Europe
• Armed Forces Pacific
• American Samoa
• Maryland
• Northern Mariana Islands
• New Jersey
• New York
• Rhode Island
• United States Minor Outlying Islands

How it works

1 • Delivered

After purchasing, all home-test materials are delivered to your door

2 • Locate Barcode

Locate the barcode included with your kit and enter at thorne.com

3 • Complete Collection

Complete your test collection and return with prepaid shipping

4 • Reviewed

Your results are reviewed by an independent board-certified physician

5 • Receive Results

You'll receive your results & personalized recommendations within 7-9 days