Detecting Hormonal Imbalances

Experiencing fatigue, itchy skin, weight gain, or mood swings? Hormonal imbalances may be the culprit!

While hormone levels fluctuate throughout our lives for different reasons (such as during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause), other factors such as lifestyle and certain health challenges and medical conditions can also influence them.

Hormones are chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system and released into the bloodstream. We have over 50 different types of hormones in our bodies, and they are connected to every organ and system in some way. They play a crucial role in regulating numerous bodily processes, including appetite and metabolism, sleep patterns, reproductive cycles and sexual function, body temperature, and mood. As a result, any imbalance of any hormone – regardless of whether it’s an excess or deficiency – can significantly impact your overall health and well-being.

Here's what you need to know about hormonal imbalances, how you can detect hormonal imbalances, and some steps you can take to address them and restore balance in your system.

What Causes a Hormone Imbalance?

Hormone imbalances can be the result of many different factors. Some of the most common causes are:

• Age 
• Lifestyle
• Stress levels 
• Certain medications
• Environmental exposure to chemicals
• Cysts and tumors 
• Thyroid disorders 
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Diabetes
• Eating disorders
• Severe calorie restriction
• Over-exercising 
• Addison’s Disease
• Cushing’s Syndrome

And to make it more challenging, the issues that can cause a hormonal imbalance are also issues that can be caused by a hormonal imbalance, such as PCOS.

As a result, many of the most prevalent health challenges women face in developed nations, particularly in the United States, have been tied to hormone imbalances, including:

• Obesity
• High blood pressure 
• Joint pain and arthritis 
• Fatigue 
• Anxiety
• Depression 
• Gut and digestive problems
• Infertility

So, why is this the case? Modern life, characterized by poor nutrition, exposure to toxins, and relentless stress, wreaks havoc on hormonal equilibrium. We face an onslaught every day of both external and internal stressors that can take a toll on our bodies and throw our hormones out of whack. And, because our bodies are so heavily dependent on hormonal balances to functional properly and optimally, it is essential to understand how to evaluate and manage your hormonal health effectively.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance 

There is a laundry list of indicators that your hormones might be out of balance. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it might be time to call a health practitioner and get your hormones tested:

•  Insomnia
• Forgetfulness
• Migraines/headaches
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Low sex drive
• Fluctuating weight 
• Hair loss (or excessive hair growth, especially in unusual places)
• Irregular or absent periods
• Fatigue
• Hot flashes/night sweats

Next Steps: Diagnosis and Testing

Think your symptoms like stubborn weight, insomnia, mood swings, low libido, brain fog, or age-related hormone decline might be due to a hormone imbalance? Because of the number of different hormones, knowing if you have a hormone imbalance and, if so, which one is out of balance (or which ones, if it’s more than one) can prove very difficult. Time to test so you can get an accurate picture of what’s off in your system!

There are several ways to test for and diagnose a hormonal imbalance. They include:

• Physical exams and a review of health history to detect any underlying conditions 
• Lab tests to measure hormone levels in your bodily fluids
• Pelvic exam to assess for cysts or tumors possibly interfering with hormone production
• Ultrasound of potentially affected organs and glands

Also, always provide your doctor with a thorough review of medications and supplements taken. You never know if something as seemingly innocent as your daily multi-vitamin is causing some sort of reaction and throwing off your system.

Hormonal Health: A Path Forward

When it comes to testing for hormonal imbalances, I highly recommend the Salivary Hormones panel, following by a 60-minute session to go over your results and chart a path forward. This easy, all-in-one test that looks at various hormone pathways in your body. The results offer a clear picture of your hormone levels, measuring key reproductive and metabolic hormones that affect your energy, weight, water retention, muscles, sleep, mood, and even brain power.

This handy test doesn’t only measure individual hormone levels, though. It also checks the potential interaction with each other to see how they're affecting your system, helping to identify the underlying causes of any imbalances and flagging potential health risks related to hormone issues. It’s an excellent first step in taking control of your hormone health.

Once you’ve tested, schedule a consultation so we can go over the results and figure out next steps to get your hormonal health back on track!