Dr. David Peterson, DC

Alternative, Functional, or Medical Hormone Chart

Which Hormone Chart is your Alternative, Functional or Medical Doctor using? Are they missing anything? Are you still having “hormone” symptoms?

Recommended Complete Hormone Pathway Chart Test

Coming Soon! Functional Bio-Identical Hormone Analysis Book.

Complete Hormone Chart

Typical Hormone Test Chart

Figure 1 illustrates all of the hormones focused on by Alternative, Functional, and Medical Doctors. 

Recommended Standard Medical Hormone Chart Test

Ignore the torn out hormones. These hormones are not important enough to even be considered. Yes, they are hormones and the arrows are enzymes that convert upstream hormones into downstream hormones. Ignore them too. They have an effect on your body but to keep things simple. Just ignore them like they don’t exist.

Just pick your favorite hormone and focus all attention on that hormone. Since the others do not exist on the chart. There is no need to look at how they affect the body.

Complete 41 Hormone Chart used by Dr. Peterson

Figure 2

Enzymes are  involved in the biosynthesis of active steroid hormones from cholesterol in the endocrine glands. Figure 2 illustrates all of the enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the three different types of steroid hormones, the glucocorticoids, the mineralocorticoids and the androgens.

The arrows representing enzymes fall into two major classes of proteins: the cytochrome P450 heme-containing proteins and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

Which “Estrogen” are you referring to?

Using Figure 3 as an example, “estrogen” is referred to eleven times. Of the studies referenced, only three of the ten studies use Estradiol, while the other seven studies use the generic Estrogen term. Two of the studies are Menopausal related referring to “Estrogen”. It would be incorrect to assume Estradiol – the preparation for the possibility of pregnancy Estrogen – is the primary Menopausal Estrogen. Estradiol stimulates the proliferation of breast and uterine epithelial cells; which in menopausal women forebodes the possibility of breast and uterine cancer. Most Menopausal women are not focused on the possibility of pregnancy, nor feel the need to increase their risk of breast or uterine cancer. Even so, Healthcare Providers continue to order predominantly Serum Estradiol tests based upon the Figure 1 Hormone Chart. 

Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. There are three major estrogens in women and one in the developing fetus that have different and specific hormonal activities in the body: estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), estriol (E3) and estetrol (E4). Estradiol (E2) is the most potent and prevalent in child bearing aged women. During the onset of menses and the duration of menopause, Estrone (E1) is the predominant estrogen. Estriol (E3) is the predominant estrogen during pregnancy. Estetrol (E(4)) is a hormone synthesized exclusively by the fetal liver during pregnancy and reaching the maternal circulation through the placenta.

Studies, Blogs and Internet article commonly use “estrogen” generically. Most without any graphic, chart or any mention of “which estrogen” the authors are referring to. Most of the authors do so without any idea of which “estrogen” are referring to. It is all “Estrogen” to them. This can be critically important for those dealing with chronic health conditions. 

Hormone Ratios

One could argue that is important to know what a Menopausal woman’s Estradiol levels are. This is true. But then why are Doctors then prescribing Estradiol or Alternative / Functional Doctors recommending Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) in addition to foods that increase estrogen levels? Some would further insist Estradiol and SERMs are balanced out by including Progesterone or Wild Yam creams. This is based on a Pg/E2 Ratio theory promoted by John Lee, M.D. in the book “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause” using the Figure 1 Hormone Chart.

When symptoms return; those using the Figure 1 Hormone Chart will attempt to explain it away with: “This case example highlights a misunderstanding that topical progesterone therapy only works for a limited period. It’s not that the progesterone stops working, it’s that the patient’s E2 level has declined further and the Pg/E2 ratio is now too high.”

This misleading statement leads to a further increase in Progesterone and Estradiol dosage, in a misguided attempt to get the Pg/Ex ratio back in balance. All the while assuming that an unbalanced Neuro-Endo-Immune (NEI) Supersystem will be restored to a balanced state by over-loading the NEI Supersystem with drugs, supplements and food. Further confusing the matter, those following – knowingly or not – John Lee’s tenets never consider the fact that Progesterone converts into Estrogen(s). Especially, in excess quantities when using Pharmaceutical and Supplemental Progesterone. See Figure 2 if you question the possibility.