How Does Hormonal Imbalance Get Diagnosed
There is no one test that is used for diagnosing a hormonal imbalance. Depending on the symptoms, doctors suggest the following diagnostic tests:
Blood Test: To begin with, your doctor will have a blood test done as most hormones can easily be detected in the blood. The blood test will check your estrogen, thyroid, testosterone and cortisol levels.
Pelvic Exam: In females, the doctor may carry out a pap smear to detect any unusual cysts, lumps or tumors. In males, the doctor checks the scrotum for abnormalities or lumps.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is recommended for getting images of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, uterus, ovaries and the testicles.
Other Tests: Some other tests may also be required for diagnosing hormonal imbalance and these are: sperm count, x-ray, biopsy, MRI and thyroid scan.
Our Doctors And Their Experience
Our team of highly experienced Diabetologists and Endocrinologists have immense experience in providing the best hormone treatment in Coimbatore.
Dr. Suresh Damodharan is a Consultant of the Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. He has over 26 years of experience and is a specialist in Hormone Replacement Therapy.
Dr. SURESH DAMODHARAN
Consultant , MBBS, MRCP, , CCST , CCST , Consultant Diabetes and Endocrinology
Dr. G. Krishna Shankar is a Consultant of the Department of Diabetology and Endocrinology at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. He has over 15 years of experience and is a specialist in treating Hormone issues.
Dr. G. KRISHNA SHANKAR
Female Hormone Imbalance Treatment
Female Hormonal Imbalance Treatment in Fairfax, VA
Hormone imbalance can affect women at any age after becoming adults but it mostly affects menopausal women and less often women who are peri menopausal.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalance can be very difficult to handle.
In women the two main hormones are estrogen and progesterone and their levels can fluctuate a lot during late peri menopause and menopause.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance are:
1. Weight gain
8. PMS (with mood swings, anxiety, depression
– Increasing vitamin intake, B6, zinc, magnesium, omega-3s and calcium early
– progesterone supplementation
– BHRT treatment including estrogen
Hormone replacement therapy has been an option chosen by many women to control their hormone imbalance bioidentical hormone replacement therapy being the most popular form of hormone replacement treatment due to its efficacy, safety and because it utilize hormones identical to the hormones in your own body.
Request more information about hormonal imbalance today. Call 571 992 9815
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What Are Irregular Periods
Most women have menstrual cycles that last between 21 and 35 days. Up to one quarter of women experience irregular periods. This includes having periods that are shorter or longer than usual or periods that are lighter or heavier than usual. Some women who have irregular periods may experience abdominal cramping or a lack of ovulation. Amenorrhea is a medical term that refers to an absence of periods for at least 3 months even though a woman is not pregnant. Menorrhagia is the term that means excessive menstrual bleeding. Dysmenorrhea refers to pain and cramping during periods. Prolonged menstrual bleeding involves periods in which bleeding routinely lasts for 8 days or longer. Oligomenorrhea is a condition in which periods occur infrequently or more than every 35 days. See your doctor if you believe hormonal imbalance is affecting your menstrual cycle.
What Are The Treatment Options
Hormone replacement therapy is one of the most common treatments of low hormone levels.
For people experiencing menopause, premature menopause, or primary ovarian insufficiency as well as after oophorectomy or chemotherapy estrogen therapy can offer some relief. Estrogen therapy alone is recommended for those who have had a hysterectomy. You can take estrogen in different forms, generally estrogen pills and estrogen patches.
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What Painful Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms To Look Out For
Symptoms of a hormonal imbalance Excessive weight gain. Fluctuating hormone levels are associated with weight gain and difficulty losing weight. Sweaty skin. A hormonal imbalance may cause excessive sweating, as some hormones control your body temperature. Decreased sex drive. Hair loss. Extreme fatigue. Persistent acne. Loss of muscle mass. Digestive problems. Hot flashes and night sweats.
Hormones Are The Chemicals Produced By Glands In The Endocrine System Which Are Released Into The Bloodstream And Tell Our Tissues And Blood What To Do
There are be some subtle hints that our body sends us which may signal a deeper problem. For example, if you have tried multiple skincare products to treat your acne and they still persist, or if you have been gaining weight without any sudden change in your diet, chances are you have a hormonal imbalance.
Before we understand what is hormonal imbalance, it is imperative to know the function of hormones in our bodies. Hormones are the chemicals produced by glands in the endocrine system which are released into the bloodstream and tell our tissues and blood what to do. An imbalance of these hormones occurs when there is too much or too little of a hormone produced. When the balance is disturbed, our bodies show various signs. These signs of hormonal imbalance can come in the form of mood swings, weight gain or loss, depression, anxiety, constipation, thinning of hair, brittle hair, excessive urination, and much more.
According to Healthline, in women, signs of hormonal imbalance can be spotted if they have irregular menstruation, hirsutism or excessive hair on the face, chin, or other parts of the body, acne on chin, back and chest, vaginal dryness, and more.
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What Is Hormonal Imbalance
To understand hormonal imbalance, you need to learn about the role hormones play in the body and why theyre so crucial to your overall health.
Hormones are complex molecules produced by glands in various parts of the body. The adrenal glands, for example, produce the hormone cortisol. Each hormone-producing gland is part of the bodys endocrine system.
This system includes:
When the endocrine system works as it should, your body easily regulates all the essential processes you take for granted.
You have specific hormones to thank for falling asleep at night, feeling energized in the morning, experiencing that extra surge of mental acuity in situations of stress, getting your period, and even metabolizing your blood sugar levels.
And it doesnt even end there. Your hormones are the messengers that regulate these additional processes:
- Development and growth
- Reproduction and sexual health
- Appetite
- Cognitive function and mood
Your bodys unique chemistry relies on a specific balance between these hormones, where a slight excess or deficiency causes serious issues. For example, overworked adrenal glands produce a collection of symptoms called adrenal fatigue.
Unlike balanced hormones, which do their job unnoticed, youll experience the impacts of hormonal imbalance right away.
What Is The Price Of The Treatment In India
15 tablets of anti-androgen or testosterone blockers cost around Rs 25 in India. A person may have to take one daily if there is an imbalance in his testosterone levels. Therefore, the monthly cost comes to around Rs 50 per month. One sheet of estrogen tablets cost around Rs 300.
Other hormone replacement therapy medications generally cost around Rs 100 for a weeks dose. Birth control pills generally cost between Rs 100 Rs 500. Antidepressants are available within a price range of Rs 18 Rs 3000.
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Natural Remedies And Supplements
There are many nutritional supplements on the market that claim to treat menopause and hormone imbalance. However, few of them are backed up by scientific evidence.
Many of these supplements contain plant-derived hormones. These are sometimes called bioidentical hormones because they chemically resemble the bodys natural hormones. Theres no evidence to suggest that they work better than regular hormone therapy, though.
Some people find that yoga helps treat symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Yoga is excellent for your strength, flexibility, and balance. It may also aid in weight loss, which can help regulate your hormones.
You can also make the following lifestyle changes:
- Lose weight. A
The primary cause of acne is excess oil production, which leads to clogged pores. Acne is most common in areas with many oil glands, including the:
- face
- upper back
- shoulders
Acne is often associated with pubescent hormonal changes, but theres actually a lifelong relationship between acne and hormones.
What Are The Hormonal Imbalance Tests
Diagnosis is performed to detect hormonal imbalances. Hormonal imbalances can be detected from its symptoms. Hormone levels can be cross-checked through some blood tests. A blood test detects the level of estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid. As per the symptoms, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound to check the pituitary gland, thyroid, uterus, testicles and ovaries.
Folowing tests will be performed based on the symptoms to detect hormonal imbalances.:
- Blood test: Hormone levels can be cross-checked through some blood tests. A blood test detects the level of estrogen, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid.
- Pelvic exam: Doctos perform pap smear test to detect tumors or cysts.
- Ultrasound: As per the symptoms, your doctor may suggest an ultrasound to check the pituitary gland, thyroid, uterus, testicles and ovaries.
Doctors may also perform the following tests as per the requirement:
- Biopsy
- Sperm count
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How Do You Treat Hormone Imbalances
Hormonal imbalance is often treated with the hormone replacement therapy . That includes medications given to alleviate symptoms cause by hormonal imbalance. This therapy effectively treats hormonal imbalance in men and women but it entails severe side effects.
How Do You Diagnose Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance may not be easy to diagnose because the clinical features may be vague and non-specific, yet troublesome and disrupt ones daily routine and function. If you have any of the clinical features described above, consult your family doctor or GP who may refer you to an endocrine specialist for further evaluation.
Situations where hormonal testing may be warranted
- Girl who fails to develop sexual characteristics
- Boys who do not develop hair growth in body and face, absence of deepening of voice, lack of muscle mass, impaired growth of penis at adolescence
- Men and women with fertility issues
- Any of the aforementioned clinical features
The endocrinologist will take a detailed history and do a thorough physical examination and based on clinical suspicion may recommend certain tests
Blood tests
- Levels of most hormones can be detected in the blood. A blood test may be requested to check thyroid, estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol levels.
- Additional blood tests as appropriate such as blood sugar levels, serum electrolytes, serum calcium levels and autoantibodies may be performed to confirm the diagnosis.
Ultrasound imaging
An ultrasound uses sound waves to image the various organs of the body. Diseases of the uterus, ovaries, testicles, thyroid, or pituitary gland can be diagnosed by ultrasound testing.
Pelvic examination
In women with infertility issues, an internal pelvic examination may be necessary to feel for any abnormal lumps or cystic lesions.
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Hormone Problems That Start In The Brain
The hypothalamus is the portion of the brain that lies near the pituitary gland. It helps regulate hormone secretion in various parts of the body, controlling functions like body temperature, mood, hunger, thirst, sleep, fatigue, sex drive, and circadian rhythms. Dysfunction of the hypothalamus may produce many symptoms depending on which hormone systems are affected. Supplementing hormone levels that are low may help relieve symptoms. If the hypothalamus is malfunctioning due to the presence of a tumor, treating the tumor may provide relief.
How Do You Check Hormone Levels
A blood test is the most common method of checking hormone levels.
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Natural Remedies And Lifestyle Changes That Can Help A Hormone Imbalance
If you take the holistic route bio-identical hormones are best and work quickest, says Dr. Eccles. Bio-identical hormones are described by Harvard Medical School as hormones made from a plant chemical extracted from yams and soy identical in molecular structure to the hormones women make in their bodies.
Like HRT, bio-identical hormones come in the form of drugs, such as tablets, and creams and gels that a doctor will prescribe a combination of. This form of treatment should always be monitored by a skilled doctor to get the hormone levels right for each individual, as well as testing to monitor treatment levels, advises Dr. Eccles.
While many women have reported positive results from using natural products natural doesnt necessarily mean safe, and some over-the-counter complementary remedies such as St. Johns Wort can negatively interact with certain medicines. The NHS doesnt offer or recommend bio-identical hormone therapy so its a personal choice. If you choose to go ahead with natural alternatives to HRT find an established practitioner who will be able to provide tailor-made doses.
How Is A Hormonal Imbalance Diagnosed
First, make an appointment with a health care provider for a physical exam. The health care provider will ask about your symptoms. Then, depending on your symptoms, they will suggest which hormone imbalance tests to do. These could be evaluations like:
- Blood test: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroxine, TTH, insulin, and cortisol levels can be detected in the blood.
- Pelvic exam: A health care provider will search for any lumps or cysts.
- Ultrasound: Images of your uterus, ovaries, thyroid, and pituitary gland can be obtained.
- Biopsy
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The Dangers Of Untreated Hormonal Imbalance
Statistics show that hormonal imbalances, especially in women, are much more common than thought previously. You might not be able to see a hormonal imbalance, but its effects can present themselves in all aspects of your life and, left untreated, can be dangerous or even life-threatening. So with the prevalence of a hormone imbalance being so high, why dont more of us seek medical treatment? First, it helps to know what a hormone does, and why left untreated, it can be dangerous.
What Is The Best Diet For Hormonal Imbalances
A healthy diet can go a long way in treating hormonal imbalance in both men and women. When it comes to change in hormonal level, we usually forget to keep a check on our diet as the remedy. However, there are certain foods that actually help out in balancing the body hormones and are also helpful in improving the overall health of individuals without any medications.
Consuming foods rich in healthy fats like coconut oil, grass-fed butter, avocados and salmon help to treat hormonal imbalance. Adaptogen herbs not only help a person to balance hormones but also protect him/her against various diseases. Ashwagandha is one such herb. Breathing exercises and acupuncture help a person to get relief from stress and thus help to restore hormonal balance.
Below foods may help you to keep your hormones in balance the natural way:
- Avocado
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What Our Patients Are Saying
I am a mother of two grown-up children. My weight gain and irritability really worried me. I, fortunately, consulted an endocrine specialist at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. The staff and doctors were very compassionate. It had advanced facilities for correctly diagnosing my hormonal conditions. The doctor patiently listened to my problems and offered appropriate advice for weight management. I got proper hormonal imbalance treatment and am now enjoying life with no symptoms. By the way, my weight is also under control now!
Anaita Krishnamoorthy
Coimbatore
My daughter’s PCOS problem was greatly worrying me. Besides a hoarse voice, she had other awkward symptoms like facial hair growth and weight gain. She was also feeling depressed. This was also affecting her board exam preparation. Thanks to the timely diagnosis and treatment by the caring doctors at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, my daughters condition is now improving remarkably. The hospital has dedicated staff and the latest medical facilities for diagnosing all complex conditions. My daughter has become friendly with the doctors and nursing staff too.
Mohit Sai
Increased Risk Of Sleep Apnea
The risk of obstructive sleep apnea increases in women during and after menopause. Obstructive sleep apnea is a serious condition that causes people to stop breathing repeatedly during sleep. OSA occurs when muscles in the throat relax and block the airway during sleep. People who have this type of sleep apnea often snore. Researchers who performed one study found that perimenopausal and postmenopausal women who had lower estrogen levels were more likely to suffer from obstructive sleep apnea than women who had higher estrogen levels. More studies are needed, but women who feel tired or who have unrefreshing sleep should see their doctors to assess hormone levels and discuss risk factors and testing for sleep apnea.
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What Is A Hormone Imbalance
According to Carolyn Krieg, DO, an internal medicine physician specializing in functional medicine at Parsley Health, to understand what causes hormone imbalances you first have to understand the endocrine system. Our endocrine system is the system in our body that produces hormones, she says. Youve got multiple endocrine glands all over your body, including the ovaries, adrenals, and testes. The ovaries and testes produce sex hormones, like testosterone and estrogen, and the adrenals produce stress hormones, like cortisol.
In the case of a hormonal imbalance, the hormone production in one of these glands goes awry. And unfortunately, when one hormone is thrown out of balance, it can affect others. Indeed, one of the most important things to know about the endocrine system is that the hormones that are produced from each of those glands are very interrelated, says Dr. Krieg. This means that a cortisol imbalance can contribute to an estrogen imbalance and vice versa. One hormone imbalance can quickly become a snowball effect of different hormones getting knocked out of whack, says Dr. Krieg.