Significant Effects of Mild Endogenous Hormonal Changes in Humans: Considerations for Low-Dose Testing

The document reviewed the health effects of small hormonal changes in humans, emphasizing the need for sensitive testing of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). It discussed how normal physiological activities and conditions like puberty, stress, nutrition, exercise, and chronic disease can lead to hormonal changes that impact health. The paper highlighted the lack of a safe threshold for hormonal perturbations and the importance of considering low-dose exposures to EDCs. It also pointed out the need to focus on subtle health outcomes, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease risk, and cognitive changes, when evaluating the effects of EDCs. The document underscored the complexity of hormonal interactions and the continuum between physiological and pathological hormone levels, challenging the establishment of medical thresholds for diagnosis and treatment.