When Is The Best Time To Test For Hormone Imbalance?

Introduction 

Have you ever wondered how your body functioning gets regulated and controlled?  Don't think too far; chemicals in the body known as hormones are responsible for it. Your mood, appetite, growth, sleep, and even sexual functions are all regulated by hormones. The indispensability of the hormones makes their presence in the right quantity in the body important. When the quantity is not in the right proportion, then we say there is a hormonal imbalance. This article focuses on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of hormonal imbalance.

What are hormones?

The term “hormone” can be described as body chemicals that are transported in the bloodstream to targeted organs or tissues in the human body, where they can influence the function of the organ. Body activities such as sleep, appetite, mood, body development and growth, sexual function and many other activities are all controlled and regulated by hormones in the human body. Hormones are generally naturally produced in the body; although we have them also in the form of medications that can be administered to humans when necessary.^1,2

There are several hormones in the body, and they perform various functions in the body. Hormone secretion sites called glands in the body form the endocrine system. Based on various secretion glands; we have the following types of hormones:

Pituitary Hormones

hormones produced from the pituitary gland. This gland serves as a master control of hormone production from other glands (thyroid, pancreatic, etc) in the body. The pituitary hormones include:

• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) activates the adrenal gland to produce hormones.
• Growth hormone helps in the growth and development of children. It influences the bone, muscle, and fat development in the body.
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH)  stimulates the thyroid glands to produce thyroid hormone.
• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone influence the functioning of the testis and ovaries.
• Anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) controls and regulates water retention in the body.
• Oxytocin hormone function during childbirth and lactation.
• Prolactin hormone stimulates milk production in women: Prolactin stimulates breast milk production.

Thyroid hormones

Include Triiodothyronine and Thyroxine; they are produced in the thyroid gland from the iodine present in food eaten. The thyroid hormones regulate the cell metabolism in the body.

Pancreatic hormones

Include insulin and glucagon. They are stimulated by the pancreas to regulate blood glucose.

Adrenaline & cortisol hormones

Produced by the adrenal gland - hormones that regulate your body’s response to stress; aldosterone regulates blood pressure.

Parathyroid hormones

Produced in the parathyroid gland which regulates the absorption of calcium from food eaten; it also enhances the formation of vitamin D in the body.

Oestrogen and progesterone

These are produced in the ovaries: These two hormones help in female reproduction. Oestrogen is responsible for breast development in females, while the progesterone helps in maintaining pregnancy.

Testosterone and androgen

Produced by testes in males: These hormone is responsible for physical development in males , sperm production, muscle strength and sexual urge/libido in males.

The Pineal gland produces melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep.

The thymus gland secretes thymosin hormone, it initiates the development of diseases fighting T-cells.

Hormonal imbalance

This refers to the failure of hormone function in the body. Hormonal imbalance also occurs when hormones exceed or are lower than the normal level range needed in the body. Function of various hormones in the body are most of the time interconnected so, the deficiency or excessiveness of one will affect the efficiency of the other.^3,4 This imbalance mostly leads  to severe or mild health problems.

Role of oestrogen and progesterone

Oestrogen and progesterone are female sex hormones that influence reproduction in women.  Women undergo different reproduction-related stages in their lifetime; this includes puberty, Ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, lactation(breastfeeding), and menopause. Progesterone and oestrogen influence these  stages one way or the other. Puberty in females is majorly regulated by oestrogen.  Oestrogen also helps to regulate the production of Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH); these two hormones (LH & FSH) play a major role in ovulation and menstrual cycle in females.  Uterus development and growth are  regulated by oestrogen and progesterone. Milk production for breastfeeding is activated by prolactin. Progesterone also acts in preparing the mammary gland for breastfeeding.^5,6

Causes of hormone imbalance

There are many factors that can predispose or increase the occurrence of hormonal imbalance in humans. These include but are not limited to the following causes: poor diet, stress, pregnancy, menopause, diabetes, cancer treatments, hormone replacement therapy[HRT], hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) , and pollution. ^7,8,9,10,11 In a study, it was observed  that obesity worsens hormonal imbalance in women experiencing infertility that is caused by PCOS.⁸

Symptoms of hormone imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can be characterized by the following signs & symptoms observed by you or diagnosed by your doctor: excessive hair growth, low sexual urge, anxiety, dizziness, changes in the menstrual cycle, sudden weight gain/loss, headache, urinary tract infection, water retention, hot flashes, sleep disorder, acne, depression, premenstrual syndrome, and frequent hunger.^4,7

Hormonal imbalance is mostly associated with some specific health problems like:

• High oestrogen level (Oestrogen dominance): this will cause changes in weight, appetite, sleep pattern, stress perception level, and rate of metabolism in the body.  Low oestrogen levels will also lead to low sex drive and irregular menstrual cycle.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): this condition causes infertility in women, increased body weight, excessive hair growth and increases one’s risk of having diabetes.
•  Low testosterone in males could lead to muscle  loss, increase weight, fatigue, weakness, and erectile dysfunction (Impotence).

It is important to note that hormonal imbalance is not caused by one single factor, but it is mostly caused by a combination of factors which can include genetics, pollution (poisonous substances in the environment), diet, past medical conditions, and stress.^4,7

Checking for hormone imbalance

Diagnosis of hormone imbalance can be carried out in the hospital, but this can only be done based on the symptoms a person is having. There is no single test for hormonal imbalance, but your doctor can suggest any of the following procedures evaluate the hormones in your body and it includes:²

•  Blood test: levels of hormones like oestrogen, testosterone, thyroxine, cortisol, insulin, and progesterone can be seen in the blood.
• Pelvic examination can be done to detect any lumps or cysts that may be present.
• An ultrasound can be done to reveal the state of your pituitary gland, thyroid, ovaries, and uterus.
•  Biopsy and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are  also another way of checking for hormonal imbalance

For women who have unexplained symptoms

There is no singular test for hormone imbalance. It is recommended to perform blood tests for oestrogen, testosterone, cortisol and thyroid function to evaluate any hormonal imbalance. In women who are suspecting menopause, managing symptoms is prioritised over testing.

Managing hormone imbalance

Hormonal imbalance [HI] can be managed with a healthy diet, body exercise and a healthy lifestyle. The management helps in relieving the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Regular exercise helps to increase the metabolic rate in the body and this can help in lowering  the excessive production of hormones required for metabolic activities in the body.

Avoid or reduce being stressed as this will help maintain the antidiuretic hormones at the normal level. Reducing weight will also go a long way to balance hormones in the body as this is because obesity and high Body mass index [BMI] has been an associated risk factor in females suffering from HI and infertility.^4,7

Treatment options for hormonal imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can be treated with the administering of various medications. Hormone replacement therapy is the most commonly used treatment for low hormone levels.

Hormone Replacement therapy [HRT] is mostly used for women who experience menopause symptoms and it focuses on relieving symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats etc. The downside to HRT is that it increases the patient’s risk for breast cancer¹. HRT  cannot be carried out on people having the following health conditions: cancer history (ovarian/womb/breast cancer); high blood pressure and liver disease. Progesterone and oestrogen make up the HRT hormone; and they are administered either orally as tablets,or on the skin as skin patches, gels and pessaries used via the vagina.¹²

In males with hormonal imbalance, testosterone can be administered in the form of injections. 

Thyroid hormone therapy is another example of treatment used for HI. It helps to balance thyroid hormone consequently agreeing symptoms associated with hypothyroidism. 

Tips on maintaining balanced hormones in the body

In the absence of any other medical issue; as a healthy person, there are things to do to help maintain your hormone balance. These can include:

• Maintaining good and adequate sleep: this involves having a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding blue light that could drive away the urge to sleep.
• Maintain a healthy diet by avoiding junk food and food that contains high sugar levels. It is advised to eat foods that have high protein content.
• Exercising regularly to help improve the body’s metabolism rate. etc.

Summary

The best time to get checked for hormonal imbalance is as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms mentioned earlier under the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. Considering the health problems hormonal imbalance can result into; it is very important to get medication attention as soon as you can. It is necessary to note that your risk of having hormonal imbalance is increased by more than one factor, which includes poor diet, pollution, unhealthy lifestyles, and medications.

Taiwo Olawumi

Master of Science - Environmental and Public Health Management, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
Taiwo is passionate about environmental and public health management and has experience working with animals. Her goal is to create a more sustainable environment in all facets of life.

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