This test measures melatonin, cortisol, and cortisone. Melatonin is a hormone produced during the night in the absence of light that promotes sleep and regulates the sleep/wake cycle or the “biological clock”. Cortisol, a hormone produced in response to stress, has the opposite pattern to melatonin production in a healthy individual. While melatonin rises at night, cortisol is at its lowest levels throughout the night. The balance and adequate production of these hormones is important to maintain overall health.
The Sleep Balance Profile allows physicians to pinpoint imbalances of melatonin and cortisol circadian rhythms associated with acute or chronic sleep disturbances. This test should be considered for patients with an inability to get to sleep, frequent waking, or chronic sleeplessness affecting vitality, cognition, weight, and diabetes/cardiovascular disease risks.
