Hormones are the ultimate chemical messengers, constantly communicating information to every area of our body, adapting and responding to our many complex needs. Produced by our endocrine glands—adrenals, thyroid, pancreas, and ovaries or testes—hormones execute essential functions, relay important warnings, and constantly communicate. Essentially, hormones ensure everything is running smoothly. However, there are many factors that can easily throw hormone levels and function off-balance, like:
- Stress
- Changes in health
- Age
- Environmental factors
- Disease
- Prescription drugs
- Diet
Identifying and correcting hormone levels early helps maintain health, energy, longevity, and prevents the onset of chronic disease.
Top 5 Common Signs and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances
Weight Gain and Weight Fluctuations
Research shows that hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, affects one in five women and one in ten men. Unfortunately, this condition isn’t diagnosed in over half of these cases. The thyroid hormone affects practically every cell in the body and regulates our entire metabolic rate. Therefore, excess weight can often point to a slow and underactive thyroid gland, which in turn has caused all metabolic processes to slow down.In addition, if cortisol is constantly elevated (seen in many people with stress), it will directly impact your blood sugar levels by signaling your body to consume more calories and store more fat. Insulin, another weight hormone influencer, regulates your blood sugar levels by being secreted in response to glucose (the basic “sugar” compound). Having too much estrogen or not enough progesterone can also be the driving force behind weight gain. These are just a few examples of how hormones change the body which as you can see becomes pretty complex.
The reality is many women struggle… despite cutting back on certain foods, working out, doing “everything they should be doing,” or even “working twice as hard” to see a small change. If you find yourself in that category, it may be time to seek out answers and see one of our providers to order labs and follow with a thorough evaluation and treatment options.
Insomnia, Persisting Fatigue, or Both
There are many reasons why someone may be having difficulty sleeping. If it’s persistent, it’s likely related to your hormones. People with hormonal imbalances often experience extreme fatigue. Everyone is tired sometimes, but with adequate rest, hydration, and a balanced diet, the fatigue should subside.If you feel like you are sleeping adequate amounts or maybe even sleeping too much and can’t seem to shake the constant feeling of exhaustion, you may consider having a comprehensive evaluation of your hormone levels. The fatigue could be associated with your hormones. Adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism are more prevalent in our fast-paced society than you may think.
Skin and Hair Changes
The quality and vitality of your skin and hair are directly related to your hormones. Your hormones must play together in sync in order to have a glowing complexion. When even one is off-balance, you can begin developing skin problems such as dryness, acne, fine lines, wrinkles, and rosacea. Thyroid abnormalities, for example, may cause dry hair or skin, thinning hair, hair loss, and brittle nails.Low Sex Drive
It’s no secret that your levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone naturally decline with age, especially during and after menopause. But did you know that they affect people of all ages? Low levels of estrogen can have a big impact on your sex drive. Women may experience vaginal dryness that can lead to painful intercourse and unstable mood and sleep patterns. Testosterone also is a big factor in libido. Primarily thought of as a male hormone, it is also made by and just as important to women. Testosterone levels naturally decline in women after menopause, low levels can contribute to the reduction of arousal and sexual response. Progesterone can also have a big impact on your drive and should be evaluated when detecting hormonal imbalances.Anxiety
Chronic stress has become an epidemic in today’s society. We are exposed to more information than ever before. Excess adrenal stimulation is what we are gaining from this constant overload of stress. Neuroendocrinology is the study of the close relationship between neurotransmitters and hormones, including those produced by the adrenal glands. What you may not know is that cortisol and norepinephrine, produced and released by the adrenal glands, often underlie the feelings that you may perceive as anxiety. So what many perceive as anxiety and as being all “in their head,” may be an endocrine imbalance.Many people may want a quick fix with an anti-anxiety prescription. People can go a long time without ever exploring if there is another underlying problem that could be treated, all while tackling a new set of problems from medication side effects. Anxiety does not always go hand in hand with a hormone imbalance, but is a top symptom of an imbalance and should be evaluated, especially if other hormonal imbalance symptoms are present.
Hormone Optimization at OnePeak Medical
OnePeak Medical providers can help you to understand and resolve these imbalances. Hormone management is a delicate and complex matter. Ensuring you are getting tested, evaluated, and treated by a specialized provider can be a big game-changer to your quality of life. Our providers understand hormone imbalance is multifaceted and that thorough evaluation (along with education, labs/tests, proper diet, supplements, and natural therapies) should be offered to optimize maximum health and healing. Book your appointment online today to learn more about how hormone balancing can help you.Wishing you health, balance, and vitality!
Nisha Jackson is a nationally recognized hormone and functional medicine expert, renowned lecturer, motivational speaker, radio host, columnist, author of the bestseller “Brilliant Burnout,” and founder of OnePeak Medical Clinics in Oregon. For 30 years, her approach to medicine has successfully reversed chronic problems such as fatigue, brain fog, depression, insomnia, and lack of stamina.
This story originally published on the One Peak Medical Center’s Blog.
