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.
When To Speak With a Doctor About Hormone Imbalances
There are two basic methods to help you discover if the signs and symptoms being experienced are being caused by a hormone imbalance. For many women, menstruation can play a large role in the presence of an imbalance. Women will typically experience symptoms that begin about a week before their regular cycle and then have symptoms grow progressively worse during the week of their period. These symptoms will then typically improve a day or two afterward.
These symptoms may include mood swings, feelings of depression, headaches, fluid retention, joint paint, high levels of fatigue, and strange food cravings.
For men and women who are post-menopausal, then additional symptoms may be experienced. This may include hot flashes, heightened levels of anxiety, weight gain around the abdomen, trouble staying focused, dry hair, and heart palpitations. Some may even experience changes to their metabolism because of how their body is metabolizing sugars.
Certain symptoms may also be evidence of a specific hormone imbalance instead of a general one. Salt cravings that are accompanied by low blood pressure, for example, is a strong indication that there is an adrenal hormone imbalance that exists.
What Do My Test Results Mean?
A medical provider will either order a specific blood test that measures one hormone or order a general panel to look at all hormones. The results will either be normal or abnormal. Abnormal results will indicate that there are low or high levels of a specific hormone that should not be present. Based on the test results, a treatment plan will be developed.
How To Treat a Hormone Imbalance
One of the most common issues that people see today with a hormone imbalance is an increase of belly fat. This may be accompanied by a loss of muscle mass and a general feeling of weakness. This is evidence that the endocrine system is under stress. There is an overproduction of certain hormones like cortisol that are created when there is a high stress situation. There may also be an under-production of adrenaline. This indicates adrenal fatigue because the body fat around the abdomen is the body saving energy for future use.
A persistent weight gain can also be caused by insulin resistance that may be as a result of a hormonal imbalance. In this circumstance, the eliminate of excessive sugars, processed food, and products that have high intolerance levels, such as gluten, may be able to provide some relief. Food allergies may also contribute to this issue in certain individuals.
Many people complain of having a low libido when there is a hormone imbalance. There may also be heightened levels of irritability, anxiety, or even feelings of depression. This can be an indication of disturbed sleep, which will then cause disturbed hormone levels. Finding ways to get more sleep can help to eliminate the difficult feelings, restore the libido, and even help with the processing of extra fat levels. It is important to address this issue because insomnia or poor sleep can touch every aspect of a person’s life.
Digestion problems may also be the result of hormonal imbalances that happen because of eating habits. Take time to chew food so it can be easier to digest and eat for fruits, vegetables, and high fiber foods. The imbalance occurs in this circumstance because the body is trying to adapt to the lack of nutrients that it is receiving. Many people suffering from this type of imbalance will experience food cravings of some sort.
With the right treatment plan, a hormone imbalance blood test can be quickly addressed so that over time, the bothersome signs and symptoms can begin to fade. Many hormonal issues will not self-correct on their own, so consider scheduling an appointment with your medical provider if you are feeling like you aren’t yourself. The tests may show that the issue may be surprisingly easy to correct with just a few lifestyle changes and some intervention treatments.