When people talk about hormone imbalance, they are referring mostly to the sex hormones like Estrogen, Testosterone, and Progesterone. Hormone imbalance is much more than just the sex hormones. Its imperative to understand that your hormone levels are always in real time response to what your body is adapting to in your environment. Also, understanding that all the hormones are always working together in a beautiful complex system. You can’t change one without effecting another! There are five important hormonal imbalances to consider.
- Diabetes type one or two and/or blood sugar and insulin dis-regulation, even before a diabetes diagnosis
- Adrenal gland regulation i.e the inability to efficiently produce, transport, and methylate your stress hormone cortisol. Adrenal glands are small glands that sit above the kidneys. They produce hormones that effect metabolism, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, and many essential functions.
- Hypo and hyperthyroidism: Hypothyroidism is too few thyroid hormones, hyper is too many.
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is one of the most common hormone conditions in woman and is directly linked to blood sugar and insulin effecting testosterone.
- Hypogonadism, which is low levels of testosterone and estrogen production.
As you can see hormones are extensive and complicated. Of these 5 different conditions they are all directly effected by blood sugar and stem from the health and function of your gut. They also have a big effect on your hormone production, function, and metabolism. Without comprehensive Functional testing, it’s very difficult to determine the root causes of hormone imbalance. Hormone replacement therapy for low hormones does not address why the hormones where low in the first place which ultimately will begin showing up with disfunction in other areas if not address. Check out this link on hormones to know more about how Functional Medicine plays such a primary role in determining cause and recovery.
