Sign and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers within the human body that are secreted by 2 types of glands – exocrine glands and endocrine glands. Hormones manage as well as regulate major functions in your body including your metabolism, reproduction, heart rate and even control your emotions and mood. Endocrine hormones travel in the blood stream and carries brain’s message to different cells and tissues for a cohesive endocrinological response.
Each hormone serves characteristic functions in the human body via selective receptor activity on certain cells. Hormonal aberrations can lead to a variety of complications – that are often life-threatening as well. Optimal hormonal balance by feedback mechanisms ensures that every hormone is working efficiently, utilized properly and discharged accurately.
Hormonal imbalance:
Hormonal imbalance refers to excessive or insufficient production of certain hormones due to failure of feedback hormonal regulation pathway. Hormone plays a very important role in your body even a little fluctuation of certain hormones can cause various side effects and impact overall bodily functions.
This imbalance might occur due to certain factors like malnutrition, extreme stress, obesity, deficiency of some nutrients, lack of exercise etc.
What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalance?
Following are sign and symptoms of imbalance of certain hormone:
- Sign and symptoms of imbalance of thyroid hormone:
Thyroid gland is endocrine gland which is responsible for producing thyroid hormone T3 and T4. These hormones play a vital role in maintaining energy level and healthy metabolism. If thyroid gland is not able to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone for some reason, all body functions will suffer like poor growth of hair and nail, slow metabolism, and weak immune system. This condition is known as hypothyroidism.
The normal body temperature during awake state is 97 degrees Fahrenheit and 98.2 degrees Fahrenheit. High body temperature, racing heart, high metabolism, poor weight gain despite good appetite, sweatiness, intolerance to heat are some hallmark signs of hyperthyroidism. Likewise, weight gain despite poor appetite, intolerance to colder temperatures, sluggishness, poor metabolism are some key signs of hypothyroidism.
- Sign and symptoms of testosterone hormone imbalance:
The key male sex hormone that is responsible for sex drive, erection, libido muscle mass etc. is testosterone. If testosterone level in males declines, affected males experiences negative changes in the sex drive, libido, erection, energy levels and strength.
- Sign and symptoms of Cortisol increase:
Healthy and balanced diet is necessary for body to function properly. The deficiency of certain nutrients may increase Cortisol level (stress hormone) that can reduce testosterone levels and increase thyroid levels. The resultant effect is negative changes in the memory or brain fog, Cushing syndrome, abnormal metabolism, depression, etc. This condition should be treated immediately as poorly managed cases are sometimes fatal.
- Sign and symptoms of imbalance of growth hormone:
The imbalance in growth hormone and androgen receptor results in loss of muscle mass. This ultimately causes increase in muscle breaking compound i.e. myostin. An adequate diet and regular exercise helps in reducing hormonal aberrations.
Causes of hormonal imbalance:
Some key causes of hormonal imbalance are:
- Diabetes
- PCOS
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypogonadism
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Hormone drugs
- Stress
- Hormone therapy
- Eating disorder
- Malnutrition.
The path for healthy hormone balance:
A perfect healthy life style and balanced diet is a key to all hormonal problems. A lot of people today opt for temporary hormonal boosts or hormonal replacement therapy but there are various side effects associated with such practices. Speak to your doctor if you are experiencing sudden and unpleasant changes in your metabolism or sex life.