Articles on Hormonal Imbalance: male, female, adrenal, insulin

Hormone Imbalance

Testing

Johnson Compounding and Wellness Center now supplies saliva and blood spot testing for kids. They allow for the collection of samples to take place within the home and come with prepaid shipping to the lab. Tests include Vitamin D, Female and Male panels, CardioMetabolic profiles, Adrenal, Thyroid, HS-C-Reactive Protein, A1cohol and Cholesterol levels, just to name a few.

The kits are free of charge, and the patient can pay the lab directly. Johnson Compounding has negotiated a discounted price structure for its clients. The tests range from $29.00-$240.00 for the comprehensive male/female tests. A private fee based consultation is also available to help the patient understand their results.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

Hormones have a profound effect on a person’s everyday health and well-being. Although present in only tiny amounts, hormones act on every cell in the body. Hormones have individual effects, but also interact with each other to produce dramatic effects internally. Because of these interactions, they are able to trigger multiple body systems.

Types of Hormone Imbalance

Female Hormone Imbalance

The ovaries produce many hormones. The most prominent are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone interact to coordinate a woman’s menstrual cycle during her reproductive years. The brain produces the hormones follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which triggers hormone production from the ovaries. When any of the hormones coming from the brain or the ovaries are imbalanced, symptoms may occur. Imbalances are most common in puberty and menopause, but imbalances can happen at any age. Several conditions are well known to be associated with hormonal imbalance including: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, breast disease, and menstrual irregularities.

[back to top]

Symptoms of Female Hormone Imbalance

Acne (oily skin)
Bloating
Bone loss
Decreased fertility
Depression
Excess facial/body/scalp hair
Hot flashes/Night sweats
Heavy/painful/irregular periods
Irritability
Loss of muscle mass
Low libido
Memory lapses/Poor concentration
Mood swings
Nervousness
Sleep Disturbances
Tender/Fibrocystic breasts
Urinary incontinence
Vaginal Dryness
Weight gain

Male Hormone Imbalance

The testes produce nearly 95% of all male testosterone. The balance is supplied by the adrenal glands and they also produce small amounts of estrogen. The brain produces the pituitary hormones follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which trigger hormone production from the testes. As a man gets older, testosterone levels fall and estrogen levels tend to rise. Lower testosterone levels may affect bone density, muscle strength, body composition and sex drive. The imbalance that occurs when testosterone is low in relation to estrogen may also contribute to prostate problems.

[back to top]

Symptoms of Male Hormone Imbalance

Bone loss
Decreased mental clarity/concentration
Decreased muscle strength
Decreased stamina
Decreased urine flow
Depression
Erectile dysfunction
Hot flashes/Night sweats
Increased abdominal fat
Increased urge to urinate
Irritability
Low sex drive
Mood swings
Sleep disturbances

Conditions of Hormone Imbalance

Adrenal Imbalance

The adrenal glands produce three types of steroid hormones: glucocorticoids (cortisol), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), and androgens (DHEA/DHEAS). Cortisol enables the body to respond and adapt to the stresses of daily life. It also helps to maintain blood sugar levels and promote a healthy immune system. Aldosterone works to balance salt and water in the body. Androgens secreted by the adrenals provide the majority of DHEA for both men and women. For women, the adrenal glands are the major source of testosterone. Imbalances in the adrenal system can contribute to problems with the nervous and immune systems, body composition difficulties, blood sugar irregularities, and high androgen levels.

[back to top]

Symptoms of Adrenal Imbalance

Allergies
Asthma
Arthritis
Bone loss
Chemical sensitivities
Morning/evening fatigue
High blood sugar
Increased abdominal fat
Memory lapses
Sleep disturbances
Sugar cravings

Thyroid Function Imbalance

Thyroid hormones control the body’s metabolism. The brain produces thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) which triggers the thyroid gland to produce two types of hormones – T4 and T3. In hypothyroidism, the body has inadequate levels of the thyroid hormones. This often leads to imbalances in relation to other hormones. Hyperthyroidism is a less common condition that exists when excess thyroid hormones are present. Because every cell of the body is affected by thyroid hormones, symptoms of imbalances are often varied and affect multiple body systems.

[back to top]

Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function (Hypothyroidism)

Brittle hair/nails
Cold temperature intolerance
Cold hands/feet
Constipation
Decreased sweating
Depression
Dry skin
Fatigue
Inability to lose weight
Low libido
Menstrual irregularities
Shortness of breath
Sluggishness
Weight gain

Symptoms of high thyroid function (Hyperthyroidism)

Anxiety
Diarrhea
Eye/vision changes
Fatigue
Hair loss
Insomnia
Palpitations
Rapid heart beat
Sweating
Weakness
Weight loss

[back to top]

Insulin Imbalance

Insulin is secreted by the pancreas. Insulin “unlocks” the cells to allow glucose (sugar) from food to enter and be converted into energy. When too much glucose is present in the body, the pancreas increases the amount of insulin being produced. High insulin as well as high glucose may contribute to multiple symptoms. A number of conditions are associated with insulin and glucose imbalances and regulation problems. These include chronic stress, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

Symptoms of Insulin Imbalance

Abnormal blood cholesterol
Fatigue
High blood triglycerides
Increased abdominal fat
Increased hunger/sugar cravings
Low/high blood sugar
Poor circulation to extremities
Skin changes

Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency

In childhood, growth hormone (GH) controls a child’s height. It is normal for GH levels to decline as a person reaches adulthood, but new research suggests that some adults may have too low a level. Low levels of GH are linked to poor muscle tone, increase body fat, low energy levels and cardiovascular changes. GH insufficiency is associated with pituitary gland problems, brain injury, autoimmune disorders and nervous system conditions.

Symptoms of Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency