Hormones are your body’s chemical messengers.
Hormones are secreted by glands. As they travel through the blood stream, they tell organs and tissues what to do.
For example, the thyroid gland makes hormones associated with metabolism. So, if you gain weight, your thyroid may not be working properly.
When you have a hormonal imbalance, you have too much or too little of a certain hormone. Even tiny changes can have serious effects throughout your whole body.
Common hormonal conditions affecting both women and men could cause any of the following signs or symptoms:
unexplained weight gain or loss
sweating
fatigue
a hump of fat between shoulders
muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness
increased sensitivity to cold or heat
dry skin, puffy face
increased hunger, thirst
Some hormone levels fluctuate throughout your lifetime. That may just be the result of natural aging. It does not mean that you have a life threatening condition.
There are many possible causes of a hormonal imbalance. Common causes include:
medication, chemotherapy
tumors
stress
injury, trauma
eating disorders
Some conditions, such as, diabetes, Cushing syndrome, or hyper/hypothyroidism may initially be caused by hormonal imbalances. But having the condition can also lead to further hormonal imbalances.
Testing for hormonal imbalances will depend on your symptoms. Diagnostic tests include blood tests, ultrasound, MRI, or sperm count tests.
At home testing is also available for a variety of conditions. For example, home testing kits for menopause measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in your urine. (FSH levels increase when women enter menopause).
Treatments vary for a hormonal imbalance depending on what is causing it. However, lifestyle and nutrition go hand in hand with all therapies.
The most effective lifestyle change you can make is weight loss. If you are overweight, a 10 percent reduction in body weight in women and men can help regulate your hormones.
Food can affect the production and secretion of hormones. We know that a well-balanced diet is essential for overall good health. But there are also specific nutrients that help hormone imbalances. For example, selenium is needed for optimal function of the thyroid.
Hormones are responsible for many of your body’s major processes. Hormonal imbalance can cause a variety of serious complications, so it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.
If you think you have a condition possibly associated with hormonal imbalance or if you would like to better understand hormones, check out my
FREE Quick Guide to Understanding Hormones