Symptoms And Potential Complications
Imbalances in female hormones can have far-ranging effects on the body, producing a variety of physical, emotional and cognitive changes. These changes can cause symptoms that may include:
- Menstrual cycle changes, including shorter or longer times between periods, and periods that are longer, shorter, heavier or lighter than normal.
- Hot flashes and night sweats.
- Insomnia and other sleep disturbances
- Diminished sex drive
- Unexplained weight gain, especially in the abdominal area, hips and thighs
- Skin changes, such as thinning, dryness and wrinkling
- Dry, brittle hair
Female hormone imbalance can increase a womans risk of a number of diseases and health problems. Among the most serious of these is heart disease, with risk increasing as estrogen levels decrease. Women with hormonal imbalances are also at greater risk for osteoporosis, since low levels of estrogens can interfere with the absorption of calcium and other nutrients essential to the maintenance of bone health and density.
Can A Hormone Blood Test In Bebington Show If I Have A Hormone Imbalance
A blood test is the only reliable way to determine your hormone levels since the symptoms and causes of hormonal imbalances vary so widely. You can therefore take a blood test to detect if you have a hormonal imbalance.
Testing the thyroid, oestrogen, testosterone, and cortisol hormone levels in the blood is commonly done. Diagnoses of endocrine disorders can also be made using urine tests, saliva tests, and imaging tests. As soon as your pharmacist collects a sample, they will send it to a lab for testing.
Tests for hormonal imbalances should be conducted if youre experiencing symptoms that are persistent and unusual. In the case of hormonal imbalances or endocrine disorders, your pharmacist may refer you to an endocrinologist.
Use Your Symptoms As Your Guide
For more serious cases and symptoms, hormone testing can be very helpful. But for most women who experience the normal, if unpleasant, fluctuations of hormones during perimenopause and menopause, hormone tests are not generally needed nor will they offer many answers. The best way to measure your hormones during perimenopause and menopause is to evaluate your symptoms. Take our quick hormonal profile to see how your symptoms rate.
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Treatment For A Hormonal Imbalance
There are many different treatment options for hormonal imbalances. The treatment you ultimately be given will depend on which hormone exactly is unbalance as well as the underlying cause of the imbalance. Sometimes, a life event might cause such a fluctuation in your hormones, such as menopause. In that case, your treatment would be short term one. However, if you have a genetic disorder that causes a lifelong hormonal imbalance, you will need to pursue a more prolonged course of medications.
Hormone therapy is a common treatment for hormonal imbalances. Women who are witnessing uncomfortable menopausal symptoms may choose estrogen therapy. Testosterone therapy is a common choice for men with low testosterone levels or adolescents facing delayed puberty. Taking thyroid hormones can help individuals with hypothyroidism. Such hormone replacement therapies may come in the form of pills, patches, or even injections. Your doctor will help you choose the appropriate dosage by checking your hormone levels test results. This is how he will determine the right amount of supplemented hormone you will need to recreate the balance.
Bioidentical hormones can be produced by pharmaceutical companies using different doses. Examples include bi-estrogen which is 50 to 80 percent estriol combined with estradiol, or tri-estrogen which is 10 percent estrone, 10 percent estradiol, and 80 percent estriol.
What Are The Different Types Of Hormone Tests
Practitioners can test hormone levels using blood, urine, or saliva samples. Each type of test has advantages and disadvantages with regard to an individuals health, the hormones to be tested, the hormone treatments already underway, and other variables. In some cases, your individual preference may also be a factor in choosing the best type of test.
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Female Hormone Imbalance: What Is It
Hormonal imbalance occurs when the amount of estrogen, progesterone or both is altered, disturbing the delicate balance between these powerful hormones. Imbalances in these vital female hormones can stem from a number of underlying causes. The most common cause is perimenopause, the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which the production of estrogens and progesterone begin to decline. Other common causes of hormonal imbalance include pregnancy, endocrine disorders, certain drugs, especially oral contraceptives, drugs used in hormone replacement therapy and cancer medications, and lifestyle factors that include stress, overweight or obesity, poor diet, sleep deprivation and lack of exercise.
Understanding Different Types Of Hormone Tests
Hormone imbalances and fluctuations can leave you feeling awful. Identifying these conditions via hormone testing is essential to re-establish a healthy balance.
Hormone testing allows you to better understand how your body is operating under the surface and helps unravel the complicated internal reality that symptoms alone cant reliably reveal. If initial testing reveals an imbalance or problematic fluctuations, your hormone values can be used to create a treatment plan customized to your needs. Ongoing testing will be critical to monitoring the efficacy of treatment and fine-tune your dosage to achieve optimal hormone levels. Your hormone health practitioner knows best which types of hormone tests you need, but understanding your options can help you understand what to expect.
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Blood Hormone Test Results
A blood test for hormones will produce exact levels of tested hormones in a woman’s blood as well as the normal reference range for those specific hormones, both of which will be analyzed by a licensed medical doctor to confirm or rule out a hormonal imbalance.
Because hormone levels fluctuate on a regular basis, each of the 200 identified hormones and hormone-like substances has its own normal accepted range as well as the best time of the month to test for it.
Do All Patients Need Blood Tests For Hormone Levels
Dr Aziz-Scott: Although treatment is bespoke to you, patients will follow a similar patient journey, and in the initial consultation, blood tests for hormone levels are required for all patients. In some cases, women may come to the clinic with blood tests conducted externally by their GP, or another healthcare professional.
We do see patients that have had a Dried Urine Test for Comprehensive Hormones . The DUTCH test is a urinary assessment of hormones and can provide a great deal of useful information about the different hormone systems in the body. It is very useful in assessing how estrogen is metabolised and this is a very important factor to consider once you are on BHRT as certain estrogen metabolites can be toxic and increase breast cancer risk.
Depending on a patients individual situation, we may be able to work with DUTCH test results, but serum blood hormone levels are the gold standard of testing to provide an accurate baseline. Many clinics offer finger prick tests, but we opt for serum blood tests as these are less likely to provide erroneous results and unnecessary additional costs if repeats needed. Once we begin treatment, the monitoring process is also much more efficient with serum blood tests.
Your Marion Gluck Clinic doctor will advise you of the tests required during your consultation and will explain the options for how you can have blood drawn.
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Why Cortisol Testing Is Important
Cortisol testing is important because that system does not always function in the normal, healthy manner outlined above. Sometimes cortisone levels can stay too high for too long, which can have far-reaching effects on your health, such as:
- Problems with memory and/or concentration
Issues That Can Cause Abnormally High Cortisol Levels include:
1- Chronic stress: The bodys natural fight-or-flight stress response system is set up to manage short-term stress situations. Stress in todays world is often a longer-term health issue. Rather than being stressed by a sudden encounter with a predator, a situation that can be resolved quickly by running away, we are more likely to face ongoing problems that cause stress, like job pressures, for instance, or financial ones. This can cause long-term activation of the stress response system, leading to chronically high levels of cortisol.
2- Problems with the pituitary gland: Tumors on the pituitary gland or excess growth of the gland can cause it to release too much ACTH, increasing cortisol levels.
3- Problems with adrenal glands: Tumors on the adrenal glands can cause overproduction of cortisol.
4- Other tumors: Growths in other areas of the body can increase cortisol production.
5- Medications: Overuse of corticosteroid medications or long-term use of them can lead to abnormally high cortisol levels.
What Causes Hormone Imbalance
Various factors can lead to hormone imbalances. A nutritionally poor diet that is rich in refined foods, certain medications thyroid and other endocrine gland problems cancer treatment, diabetes, eating disorders, hormone therapy, and environmental toxins are some of these factors.
The female reproductive system is prone to hormone imbalances polycystic ovary syndrome , pregnancy, birth control pills, breastfeeding, menopause, and hysterectomy are all causes of imbalances.
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Basic Blood Work To Check Your Hormones
by Deborah Maragopoulos FNP | Last updated: Dec 10, 2022 | Menopause |
Today, we are going to address a question so many have asked: What basic blood work do you need to check your hormones? To determine if your hormones are out of balance?
After thirty years of treating hormonally-challenged patients, I have learned that it is so important to assess the signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance and use your lab results and blood work to confirm them.
This is the blood work I like to look at to determine if your hormones are out of balance:
Treatment Of Hormonal Imbalances
A primary healthcare provider can diagnose hormonal imbalances, but the management is generally planned by specialist doctors known as endocrinologists.
Treatment generally depends on what is causing the hormonal imbalance and whether the hormone is too much or too little.
Hormone replacement therapy is the primary treatment if your hormone levels are below normal. Depending on which hormone is deficient, you may use either an injection or oral medication .
Depending on the underlying cause, there are numerous treatment options if your hormone levels are higher than usual. Medication, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of any of these are available options.
Some common treatment modalities are mentioned below:
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Signs And Symptoms Of A Hormonal Imbalance
Your hormones play an integral role in your overall health. As a result, theres a broad range of signs and symptoms that could signal a hormonal imbalance. Your signs or symptoms will depend on which hormones or glands are not working properly.
Common hormonal conditions affecting people of all genders could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
- purple or pink stretch marks
Keep in mind that these symptoms are nonspecific. Having one or a few of them doesnt necessarily mean that you have a hormonal imbalance.
Some of these symptoms may also reflect other chronic conditions. So, if you find yourself dealing with any notable changes in your body or energy levels, its a good idea to talk with your doctor.
What Is The Best Treatment For A Hormone Imbalance
There are various ways to treat hormone imbalances, depending on the condition and the practitioner. The options include medications, creams, pessaries, the pill, and hormone replacement therapy .
Synthetic hormones are usually included in HRT medications, but there are also natural alternatives.
Below are some healthy lifestyle changes you can make:
Lose weight By losing just 10 percent of your body weight, you can increase your chances of getting pregnant and have more regular periods. Losing weight can also improve erectile function in men.Eat well Diet plays a significant role in general health. Use lubes or moisturisers free of parabens, glycerin, and petroleum.Avoid hot flashes where possible If you experience hot flashes frequently, identify the factors that cause them, such as cold temperatures, spicy foods, or hot beverages.Remove unwanted hair Hair removal cream, laser hair removal, and electrolysis are all options for removing excess facial or body hair.
Get in touch or visit us today for affordable and reliable blood tests.
Female Hormone Profile £79
Well Woman Profile £149
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Hormonal Changes In The Menopause
Menopause causes a change in hormone levels, such as decreased levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone. On average, menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age.
Menopause is a natural change which all women will go through, but it can have a big impact on a woman’s sense of wellbeing. Symptoms of menopause include:
- Mood changes such as depression and anxiety
- Changes to your menstrual cycle
- Reduced sex drive
Introduction To Laboratory Tests
Laboratory tests seek to answer questions raised by doctors after talking with and examining the patient. For example: How can I confirm the diagnosis? Are related illnesses present? Is the treatment working? Are side-effects present?
Laboratory tests are usually carried out on samples such as blood, dried blood spots on a card, saliva, single urine samples and 24-hour urine collections. The type of sample will depend on what is being measured, the accuracy required and/or the age of the patient. Once the sample is taken, the patient does not need to be present for the results to be produced.
The results of hormone tests when healthy vary in response to natural pressures such as food, drink, rest, exercise and the menstrual cycle, which can make results in health and disease overlap. In dynamic tests doses of hormones, drugs, glucose and natural pressures such as exercise or restriction of water intake, are used to control the influences on results and make them more predictable.
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What Do The Results Mean
Your test results will mean different things depending on:
- The reasons for having the test
- The type of estrogen that was measured
- The results of other tests you may have had
Talk with your provider to find out what your results mean for your health. Because estrogen levels often change, you may need to be tested more than once to look for a trend in your estrogen levels over time.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
What Is Hormonal Imbalance In Men
The most common hormonal imbalances in men are related to testosterone levels. Men may experience low levels of testosterone due to disorders, like hypogonadism for example when the testes cannot produce an adequate supply of testosterone. More commonly, aging is the underlying cause, with testosterone production gradually diminishing over time, beginning around age 40. For some men, levels fall so low that the bodys basic needs for the hormone cannot be fulfilled, which can lead to many of the symptoms listed above. Other factors that can contribute to low testosterone levels include excessive stress, poor diet, obesity and regular excessive alcohol use.
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Hormone Imbalance Blood Test Results Explained
Hormones are necessary for all people to enjoy good health. When any hormones get out of balance, then a number of bothersome signs and symptoms may appear. Through the use of hormone imbalance blood testing, the specific issue that is causing the signs and symptoms can begin to be addressed. This may result in hormone therapies, lifestyle changes, and pharmaceutical solutions that may all be combined so that relief can be found.
Functional Hormone Imbalance Tests
Hormone levels are continuously changing throughout the day thus blood may not always be the perfect reflection of whats going on.
You may be able to relate to this by being told everything is normal and youre good to go from your doctor, yet you still feel like junk!
Its no fun leaving the doctors office confused, discouraged, and unheard because youve been told your lab work is all normal despite feeling the complete opposite.
This is where specialized functional lab testing can be useful.
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What Are The Different Types Of Hormones
Endocrine glands are located throughout the body. These glands include the:
- Hypothalamus: controls thirst, hunger, sleep, sex drive, moods, body temperature, and the release of other hormones
- Parathyroid: controls calcium
- Thymus: controls the adaptive immune system
- Pancreas: controls blood sugar levels
- Thyroid: controls heart rate and calorie burn
- Adrenal: controls stress and sex drive
- Pituitary: controls growth
- Ovaries, in women: controls female sex hormones
- Testes, in men: controls male sex hormones
There are several different types of hormones in the body. When you have a hormonal imbalance, you may have a problem in one of more of these glands. The specific hormone thats imbalanced will determine the signs and symptoms that you experience as a result. Some of the major hormones found in the body include:
- Estrogen: controls sex drive in both men and women, and regulates the menstrual cycle in women
- Progesterone: influences the bodys changes through pregnancy
- Testosterone: controls sex drive in both men and women
- Cortisol: controls stress
- Melatonin: controls the bodys circadian rhythm and sleep cycles
- Serotonin: controls sleep cycles, appetite, and mood
- Growth hormone: controls the reproduction of cells and their subsequent growth
- Leptin: controls appetite, signaling when youre full
- Ghrelin: controls appetite, signaling when youre hungry
- Insulin: responds to sugar in the bloodstream
What Causes Hormonal Imbalances
Throughout your life and even throughout the day your hormone levels naturally rise and fall.
Certain periods of life cause more dramatic changes and fluctuations in hormones, including:
However, there are several other reasons why your hormone levels may be irregular at unexpected times. Some of the most common causes of fluctuating or imbalanced hormone levels include:
- Certain medications.
These hormonal imbalances are more likely to be temporary or fixable with a change in medication or properly managing stress.
Chronic hormone-related conditions can have several different possible causes. In general, the main conditions or situations that cause medically significant hormone imbalances include:
Tumors, adenomas and growths
Any kind of growth on a gland or organ that produces hormones, such as a tumor, adenoma or nodule, could affect its ability to do so.
Tumors
Rare endocrine tumors form in glands or in cells that produce hormones and can cause hormone imbalances. Some of the rare endocrine tumors include:
Adenomas
An adenoma is a benign tumor. Many adenomas are nonfunctioning, meaning they dont produce hormones. But some can produce excess hormones. These are called functioning adenomas. Adenomas that affect your endocrine system and cause hormone imbalances include:
Other growths
Damage or injury to an endocrine gland
Autoimmune conditions
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