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I’ve been a consultant for Meridian Valley Laboratory since 1976. In fact, this laboratory was started specifically to make available "natural medicine" tests that couldn’t be found elsewhere. Over the years, the list of tests has grown to include amino acids, essential fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, allergy tests, and since the early 1980s, tests of naturally occurring steroids, including of course estrogens and testosterone. Meridian is proud of its ability to provide high-quality tests at the lowest prices available. Meridian can be reached at 1-253-859-8700 or online at http://www.meridianvalleylab.com. Tests that are particularly relevant for assessing sex-hormone-related cancer risk are:

• 2/16a-hydroxyestrone-ratio: This can be done using a single urine specimen, collected at any time of the day or (for women) any time of the menstrual cycle. The test is $89 plus shipping and handling..
• 24-hour-urine-for sex-steroids panel: This panel checks for estrone, estradiol, estriol, progesterone,and testosterone, as well as DHEA and two DHEA metabolites, etiocholanolone and androsterone (these two last steroids are important for properly gauging DHEA dosage). The test is $149.
• Serum testosterone/estradiol ratio: This test (for men) is done using a single serum specimen. It’s $40. For women, serum testosterone alone is $20. (At this price, there is a shipping charge added.)
• Additionally, Meridian has tests for serum DHEA ($49), serum DHEA-S ($20), and serum progesterone ($20.)