Skin And Hair Changes
Acne. A sudden increase in acne is one easy way to identify a possible hormonal imbalance. One of the few hormones involved is androgens. Androgens, typically referred to as male hormones, but found in both males and females, regulate your skins sebum production. If your body produces androgens in excess, sebum can build up in your pores and cause a pimple to surface.
Hair loss. The quality and vitality of your hair is also directly related to your hormones. Thyroid abnormalities, for example, may cause dry hair or skin, thinning hair, or brittle nails. Hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and parathyroid disorder can also cause hair loss.
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.
Appetite And Weight Gain
You may gain weight during hormonal shifts, such as menopause. But hormone changes donât directly affect your weight. Instead, it likely happens because of other factors, like aging or lifestyle. For example, when youâre feeling blue or irritated, as you can be when your estrogen levels drop, you may want to eat more. It can also impact your bodyâs levels of leptin, a hunger-revving hormone.
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Should You Look Into Further Testing If Your Doctor Says Thyroid Levels Are Normal Yet Symptoms Are Present
YES! You should. YOU are the expert on youre own body, and if something doesnt feel right, you have the right to investigate it.
Serum testing of thyroid levels by your doctor usually starts with TSH and maybe T4.
The problem with this is that just measuring TSH clues us in on pituitary function rather than thyroid function. It does not evaluate how much active thyroid youre making.
Another caveat to conventional thyroid testing is that the ranges for normal are very large therefore, many women can be experiencing subclinical symptoms of hypo/hyperthyroidism without being notified by their doctor.
If possible, request a full thyroid panel as described earlier in this post and seek a functionally trained health professional to interpret whether your levels are optimal.
What Is A Hormonal Imbalance
Produced by our endocrine glandsthe parts of the endocrine system including adrenals, thyroid, pancreas, and female or male reproductive system that communicate with our nervous systemhormones perform essential functions, relay important warnings, and communicate messages throughout the body. Everything from your appetite and metabolism to heart rate, sleep patterns, reproduction, and mood is dictated by your hormones. That means your hormones make sure everything is running smoothly and that your rhythms stay in sync.
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How Is Low Testosterone Diagnosed What Treatments Are Available
Most healthcare providers will measure their testosterone levels by having a blood test, doing a physical exam and having the patient describe his symptoms. Finally, they may order additional tests to rule out other possible diagnoses.
Testosterone is sometimes prescribed for men with low testosterone. Almost all hormone supplements and testosterone treatments are available in different forms, including lozenges, patches, gels and creams.
Because of the limited knowledge regarding this condition, challenges in having a proper diagnosis, as well as the possible side effects of treatments, HRT should not administer for men without proper testing, retesting and consultation with a healthcare provider to discuss the pros and cons. One may want to consider an endocrinologist who specializes in hormones.
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Low Sex Drive Could Be Low Testosterone
Testosterone is typically thought of as a male hormone, but both men and women have it. Effects of hormonal imbalance in females may include low testosterone levels that may cause low libido. In one study of more than 800 postmenopausal women reporting low sex drive, those who received 150 or 300 micrograms per day of testosterone in the form of a topical patch reported more sexual desire and less distress than women who received a placebo. Women receiving extra testosterone also reported more satisfying sexual experiences compared to women who took a placebo. However, women who took 300 micrograms of testosterone per day had more unwanted hair growth than women who took the placebo. Men can get low testosterone, too. The condition has been referred to as andropause in males.
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Natural Ways To Support Healthy Hormones
While you should always speak to your doctor if you have hormonal imbalance, he might not have to give you any kind of medication to restore the balance. This is particularly true if the imbalance is caused by something like diet or stress. In general, people who have the following criteria are at higher risks of developing hormonal imbalances:
- Being overweight or obese
- Consuming an excessive amount of alcohol
- Being exposed to pesticides and toxins
- Experiencing high stress levels
- Not sleeping enough
Many of these risk factors are easily controlled when youâre mindful of your diet, exercise routine, and daily habits. If you quit smoking, moderate your drinking, or avoid exposure to pesticides, you can help reduce your risk factor for hormonal imbalances and naturally keep them moderated.
Changing the way you eat can go a long way towards improving your hormonal balance. For example, when you exchange carbohydrates for healthy fats, like coconut oil and avocado, you can lower your bodys inflammation and help maintain your hormone at the right levels. Consuming enough proteins will help control the ghrelin hormone that makes you feel hungry. This gives you the feeling of fullness and then, you will stop eating at the appropriate time and maintain a healthy weight.
Men And Estrogen: What You Need To Know
Estrogen is known primarily as a female hormone that helps regulate menstrual cycles, yet the hormone plays a bigger role in mens health than most people realize. Men produce small amounts of estrogen as part of their normal functioning male reproductive system, along with the male hormone testosterone. As they age, less testosterone is produced.
Yet questions are beginning to emerge as to what specific part estrogen plays in male development, especially as a man ages. Once largely ignored, estrogen levels in men are now under the microscope as researchers are trying to determine this hormones role in men and how it affects the bodys different hormone levels.
A decrease in estrogen, for example, may be a factor in fat accumulation in men as well as women. One endocrinologist at Harvard Medical School reported in a 2013 study that some of the symptoms of testosterone deficiency in males, including a decline in libido, were at least partially caused by lower estrogen production.
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Can Hormones Cause Acne
Many women experience monthly breakouts before or during their period. However, chronic acne is something different. Acne that does not go away may be due to excess androgens, male hormones like testosterone that both women and men have. Excess levels of these androgens make oil glands extra productive and contributes to jawline acne from hormonal imbalance. Androgens also affect skin cells that line hair follicles. Excess oil and skin cell changes clog pores, leading to acne. A doctor may prescribe birth control pills, corticosteroids like prednisone , or anti-androgen medications to treat hormonally influenced acne. High androgen. levels may sometimes indicate polycystic ovary syndrome . Women with PCOS may experience infertility. High insulin levels can stimulate the production of androgens and may be associated with insulin resistance. Weight loss can help reverse insulin resistance.
How Does A Hormone Balance Test Work
Saliva, urine, and/or blood tests are the most common method for testing a patients hormone levels. Youll usually only need to provide a few small samples. Then, depending on what symptoms you experience, these samples will be evaluated by a lab to measure a variety of hormones, including:
The lab results show a snapshot of your current hormone levels at the time the samples were taken. Many of these hormones fluctuate over the course of a day, or throughout the month, so you may need to fast prior to testing, get tested at certain points in your menstrual cycle, and/or get multiple tests to get an accurate picture of your hormonal health.
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Testing For A Hormonal Imbalance
There are numerous types of tests for your doctor to choose from in order to detect a hormonal imbalance. Your symptoms will surely put him in the right direction. So, you do need to fully disclose to your doctor about your signs and symptoms for him to order the right hormones to be tested.
A blood test is one of the most common ways to test hormone levels. This test can detect testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and thyroid levels. You should order a test thatâs specific to your gender, as a womenâs hormone test will look for different levels of sex hormones than a menâs test. A simple saliva test can detect several types of hormones as well. With a saliva test, you can look at your estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone levels.
If your doctor is concerned about a particular gland in your body, he or she might order an ultrasound. This can be the case of testing the pituitary gland, uterus, testicles, ovaries, and thyroid. An X-ray or MRI will offer further opportunities for imaging. Depending on the results of prior tests, additional types of testing might often be needed to have a better diagnosis. A biopsy of a problematic gland can help your healthcare provider find issues with that specific gland.
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Which Hormone Test Is The Easiest To Get
It depends. As mentioned, serum blood testing by your doctor is the standard of practice and typically easiest for most people to get if they have easy access to the doctor. You, as the patient, dont have to do any work except drive yourself to the lab.
Finding a qualified nutrition expert or physician that is functionally trained who will order saliva and urine testing and properly interpret the results may be less accessible, but it just takes a little research to see who is in your area.
Youll have to read directions and complete the testing on your own with saliva and urine testing. There are benefits to having a combination of serum, saliva, and urine for a full picture of whats going on with your hormones.
We did it! Thanks for sticking through until the end!
As you can now see, the options for hormone imbalance tests are quite advanced these days. There are strengths and limitations to serum, saliva, and urine testing, and when used together, can provide important information about your hormones when you expect that things just feel off. You are more in touch with your body than anyone else. You know what does and does not feel right. So, if clear answers to your problems dont show up on a standard lab test, investigate further!
Sometimes the root of your symptoms is a result of food sensitivities or not following an anti-inflammatory diet. Embarking on an elimination diet could be instrumental in managing your hormonal imbalance symptoms.
References
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Things Every Hormone Doctor Wants You To Know
Ah, hormones. Such an easy scapegoat. And for good reason: They can be responsible for everything from mysterious weight gain to hair loss to crazy hunger. When things get a little out of control in that department, an endocrinologist might be able to help you.
But before you make an appointment, read on to find out what they think you should know.Simply put, were hormone doctors, says Marilyn Tan, MD, an endocrinologist at Stanford Health Care. The three most common diagnoses we make are thyroid problems, diabetes, and osteoporosis, she says. Other common conditions they treat: menopause, hypertension, and infertility. And while endocrinology might be a specialty in itself, these docs sub-specialize. Some may focus on weight loss, others on thyroid abnormalities, some on diabetes or reproductive health. That means you should see the one that fits your health issue to get the most targeted treatment.
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Your endocrinologist is likely to feel around the front of your neck to check for a nodule or lump, which could be indicative of an undiagnosed thyroid condition or potentially thyroid cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there were nearly 62,500 new cases of thyroid cancer in 2015. You can also perform this check on yourself .
They want to hear about your hot flashes.hot flashes during menopauseJAMA Internal Medicine
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When To See A Hormone Imbalance Specialist
Hormones are often a blanket term used to explain the cause of issues related to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone in women. Testosterone levels in men are also looked to frequently as the reason for certain symptoms thought to be related to a hormonal imbalance. In truth, there are a vast array of hormones that play a role in numerous bodily functions. While a specific diagnosis requires testing and an in-depth examination, there are some common indicators of when to see our hormone imbalance specialist.
Youre Not Sleeping
If youre not able to fall asleep at night or you find yourself waking up frequently, there could be a few hormonally related causes. You definitely want to see a qualified medical professional about your lack of slumber in order to get down to the bottom of the issue. Sleep deprivation is a very serious problem. You wont feel refreshed, and this lack can lead to additional problems or create a cycle of hormonal imbalance. As such, its important to see our hormone imbalance specialist.
Youre Constantly Tired
If sleep issues arent something you deal with, yet youre still tired all the time, there could be a reason to see our hormone imbalance specialist. Different types of hormonal systems play a role in your energy levels. Your problem may not be hormonally related at all. However, its worth looking into since multiple hormones could cause extreme tiredness.
You Experience Irritability and Mood Swings
You Notice Other Unpleasant Changes
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Because Of Their Essential Role In The Body Even Small Hormonal Imbalances Can Cause Side Effects Throughout The Body
If you have a problem relating to hormones, when you go to your doctor, ask them why itâs happening. What kind of hormonal imbalance treatment should i use if i donât like these others? With the widespread prevalence of hormone imbalance amongst women kind, itâs easy to believe hormone imbalances are a normal part of being a womanthey. Hormones play a major role in womenâs health and well being. My doctor is about to start my estrogen. Hormonal imbalances cause more health issues than youâd expect. These kinds of physiological messengers are actually created all throughout the body, and through their transmission with our body organs and each other, they assist preserve a harmony designed to maintain an individual content. Then you will need to see a doctor who specializes in hormone replacement therapy. A hormone imbalance could be to blame. Your symptoms will depend on which hormones arenât being produced properly and as a result there is a pretty what kind of doctor should i see? Arenât hormone tests just for women dealing with infertility? What kind of doctor should i see for hormone imbalance. Have you had your hormones tested?
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How Can I Balance Back My Hormones
If you have been diagnosed with a hormonal imbalance, your doctor can advise you on ways of bringing your body back into proper balance. Typical treatments for improved hormonal balance include hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes, such as dietary changes, stress management and exercise. In the case of thyroid dysfunction, medications and/or surgical intervention may be necessary to restore health levels of thyroid hormones.
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What Are The Causes Of A Hormonal Imbalance
The causes of hormone imbalance also depend on the particular gender of the person and the hormonal imbalance that they are dealing with. Common factors that contribute to hormone imbalance include:
Poor Diet
Diets that are heavy in processed grains, carbs, and sugars increase your bodys need for insulin. Insulin has a significant hormone-disrupting effect. Low intake of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the healthy function of the reproductive organs also leads to hormone imbalance.
Xenoestrogens
These are chemicals that can act like estrogen. They are found in pesticides, herbicides, and chemical products like plastic. Eating organic food and avoiding having your food and water in contact with plastic can help reduce the intake of these hormone im-balancing chemicals.
Lack of exercise
Exercise has a hormone-balancing effect. It helps reduce stress which can also contribute to hormone imbalance.
Stress
Poor Liver Detoxification
In order to remove chemicals, pollution, and pesticides that may disrupt hormones your liver requires certain vitamins and minerals. These include pyridoxal-5-phosphate, magnesium, vitamin B12, 5-MTHF, indole-3-carbinol, and calcium-d-glucarate. There are genetic mutations, such as the relatively common MTHFR mutation, that will negatively impact your livers ability to remove waste. The same process is used to remove excess hormones such as DHT and estrogen.