Melatonin

Melatonin

What's

Melatonin

Melatonin is a natural hormone produced by your body's pineal gland, a small, pea-sized organ located deep within your brain. Often referred to as the "sleep hormone," melatonin plays a vital role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle, also known as your circadian rhythm. As daylight fades and darkness sets in, your body starts to produce more melatonin, signaling that it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Conversely, when the sun rises and light increases, melatonin production decreases, helping you feel awake and alert. In essence, melatonin helps your body maintain a healthy sleep pattern, ensuring you get the rest you need to feel refreshed and rejuvenated each day.

If Your Levels Are High

High levels of melatonin could indicate that your body is producing more of the sleep hormone than usual, which might be due to various factors such as exposure to less natural light, certain medications (like sedatives or antidepressants), or medical conditions affecting the pineal gland. This increased production can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle and affect your overall well-being. It's essential to identify the underlying cause to maintain a healthy sleep pattern and ensure you feel refreshed and rejuvenated each day.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of melatonin may include excessive sleepiness, fatigue, dizziness, headaches, irritability, and disrupted sleep-wake cycles.

If Your Levels are Low

Low levels of melatonin could indicate a disruption in your body's natural sleep-wake cycle, which may be caused by factors such as stress, exposure to artificial light at night, or certain medications like beta-blockers and antidepressants. Additionally, low melatonin levels could be linked to specific conditions like insomnia or delayed sleep phase syndrome. Essentially, when melatonin production is insufficient, your body may struggle to maintain a healthy sleep pattern, potentially affecting your overall well-being.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of melatonin may include difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, insomnia, delayed sleep phase syndrome, and overall disrupted sleep patterns.

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See References

Test for

DUTCH Complete (Dried Urine) by Precision Analytical (DUTCH)

Urine

The DUTCH Complete™ is a comprehensive assessment of sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites and includes the daily, free cortisol pattern, organic acids, melatonin, and 8-OHdG. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 12 years of age.

DUTCH Plus by Precision Analytical (DUTCH)

Saliva

Urine

The DUTCH Plus™ offers an extensive assessment of sex and adrenal hormones and their metabolites. It also assesses the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR) and includes the insomnia cortisol sample. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 12 years of age.

DUTCH Cycle Mapping + Complete (Dried Urine) by Precision Analytical (DUTCH)

Urine

This bundle combines the DUTCH Cycle Mapping™ and the DUTCH Complete™ tests. It offers a comprehensive hormonal analysis throughout the entire menstrual cycle. This bundle cannot be ordered for patients under 12 years of age.

DUTCH Cycle Mapping Plus by Precision Analytical (DUTCH)

Saliva

Urine

The DUTCH Cycle Mapping™ PLUS provides a comprehensive analysis of a woman's monthly cycle, including hormone metabolites and the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR). This helps to identify issues with infertility, PCOS, and other month-long symptoms. This test includes the insomnia cortisol sample. This test cannot be ordered for patients under 12 years of age.

One Day Hormone Check by Genova Diagnostics

Saliva

The One Day Hormone Check™ evaluates unbound, bioavailable hormone levels over 24 hours. It provides valuable information about the impact of shifting hormone levels in men and women. It can reveal imbalances of primary sex hormones and how they relate to other hormones, such as DHEA, cortisol, and melatonin. This test includes the Adrenocortex Stress Profile.

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High Levels

Low Levels

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