Related
Conditions
Hormonal imbalances play
a part in many health-related problems. The following common conditions
are all associated with hormone imbalances.
Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause refers to the
normal decline in ovarian function that signals the end of a
woman’s reproductive years. Once a woman has gone 12 months
without a menstrual period, she is considered to have gone through
menopause. The average age of menopause is 51. However, women can
experience menopause-related changes much earlier. The stage leading to
the eventual end of menstruation, called perimenopause, can last
anywhere from 6 months to 10 years.
Common
symptoms: Hot flashes; night sweats; mood swings;
irritability; vaginal dryness; weight gain; memory lapses; and other
symptoms of female hormone imbalance.
Main hormones involved:
Estrogen; progesterone; testosterone.
Suggested
test profile: Hormone
Profile I
or Combination
Kit.
Andropause
Unlike menopause, the
production of male hormones doesn’t stop abruptly. Instead,
the production of hormones by the testes (the male equivalent of the
ovaries), tapers steadily with age. This decrease in hormone production
is related to changes in sexual function, mood, energy level, and body
composition.
Common symptoms: Lower
sex drive; erectile dysfunction; decreased muscle strength and mass;
bone loss; decreased mental clarity; low energy level; fatigue; and
other symptoms of male hormone imbalance.
Main hormones involved:
Testosterone; estrogen.
Suggested
test profile:
Male
Profile I or
Combination
Kit.
Insulin
Resistance
The hormone insulin
enables cells to convert food into energy. When cells lose
their ability to respond to insulin, or become resistant to its
effects, called insulin resistance, the pancreas responds by making
more of the hormone. This leads to overly high levels of insulin in the
blood. Excess insulin signals cells to hold onto fat instead of using
it for energy. This can lead to obesity, high blood pressure,
abnormal triglyceride levels, problems processing blood glucose,
polycystic ovarian syndrome, and type 2 diabetes.
Common symptoms:
Fatigue; foggy thinking; nervousness; abdominal fat; bloating; food
cravings.
Main hormone involved:
Insulin.
Suggested test profile:
Fasting
Insulin with Combination Kit.
Hypothyroidism
In this condition, the
thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone (T3/T4)
or, thyroid hormones are blocked from performing their function by
existing hormone imbalances. Low thyroid hormone levels cause body
metabolism to slow down. Thyroid levels may be low for many years
before symptoms become clearly noticeable. They are often confused with
general age-related changes.
Common symptoms:
Fatigue; sluggishness; depression; low libido; cold hands and feet;
feeling cold all the time; weight gain; inability to lose weight;
thinning hair, brittle nails, dry skin.
Main hormones involved:
Thyroid hormones (T3/T4); thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Suggested test
profile: Complete
Thyroid Profile
or Combination
Kit.
Estrogen
Dominance
Estrogen and
progesterone levels must be balanced in order to work together
efficiently. Factors such as estrogens in foods and the environment,
synthetic hormone use (HRT) and obesity, expose women to excess
estrogen. Also, progesterone levels tend to drop off sooner and more
abruptly with age and lack of ovulation than does estrogen. These
factors can result in too much estrogen in relationship to the amount
of progesterone being produced in the body. This imbalance is a common
cause of symptoms during perimenopause and menopause. It can also occur
after childbirth or during periods of high stress when a woman
undergoes a significant hormonal shift. Estrogen dominance may be
associated with thyroid problems and breast disease.
Common symptoms: Heavy
or irregular periods; tender breasts; bloating; irritability; mood
swings; weight gain; sleep disturbances; and other symptoms of female
hormone imbalance.
Main hormones involved:
Estrogen; progesterone.
Suggested test profile:
Hormone
Profile I, II,
or III
or Combination
Kit.
Polycystic
Ovarian
Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS, is a condition in
which cysts form in the ovaries, disrupting the process of ovulation.
Infertility and other menstrual problems can occur as a result.
Although the cause of the condition is unknown, it is marked by several
hormonal imbalances, including the overproduction of estrogen and
androgens by the ovaries. Pituitary and adrenal hormones are often out
of balance as well. In addition, there is a strong link between PCOS
and insulin resistance and type II diabetes.
Common symptoms:
infertility; menstrual irregularities; increased facial hair; acne;
high blood pressure; male pattern balding; excess weight around the
waist; high insulin levels; ovarian cysts.
Main hormones involved:
Testosterone, estrogen; progesterone; luteinizing hormone (LH); DHEA;
insulin.
Suggested test
profile: Hormone
Profile II with
Fasting Insulin in blood
spot.
Premenstrual
Syndrome
(PMS)
Female hormone levels
rise and fall during the course of a normal menstrual cycle. These
changes are responsible for triggering ovulation and menstruation. When
hormones are in balance, a woman is less likely to experience PMS
symptoms. For women who have one or more hormones out of balance,
hormonal shifts during the menstrual cycle can bring uncomfortable
physical or emotional symptoms. When PMS is severe, it can interfere
with a woman’s daily functioning and quality of life.
Common symptoms: painful
periods; bloating; breast tenderness; fatigue; irritability; tension;
mood swings; depression; increased appetite; forgetfulness.
Main hormones involved:
Estrogen; progesterone
Suggested test
profile: Hormone
Profile I.
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