In Good Health // Know Your Hormones, Know Your Body

The human body is built on the concept of homeostasis, a state of balance preserved and maintained across all its systems and functions. Hormones play a massive role in maintaining this state of equilibrium. They are involved in virtually every bodily process, including the sleep cycle, menstruation, metabolism, digestion, mood, growth, and development.

It is crucial to stay on top of your hormonal health, especially at key moments in your life when you are more prone to imbalance, such as after a pregnancy or menopause.

When should you test for hormonal imbalances?

Hormonal imbalance can cause a variety of complications for your body, and you need to be particularly mindful of these changes at certain higher-risk periods, such as:

●      Puberty: Adolescents experience certain physiological changes for the first time in their lives during this period, so it’s crucial for them and their parents to monitor changes and irregularities

●      PMS: This and menstruation are inescapable aspects of life, and even if we have become used to them, it’s important that we do not neglect our bodies during the process, and test for hormonal imbalance in case of any changes that are out of the ordinary

●      Pregnancy: This is a very important period in your life and, as such, it is critical for you and your baby to stay on top of your hormonal health. A doctor can help you flag and treat any issues

●      Postpartum: This is a period where you are likely to experience depression and thyroid issues. Testing is useful to help you identify where the imbalance is exactly so that you can treat it promptly

●      Perimenopause and Menopause: These are two very significant phases that you will go through as you close a big chapter of your life. Testing for imbalance helps you navigate this challenging period as you adjust to some permanent changes to your body

●      Unexplained symptoms: In instances of unexplained symptoms like persistent fatigue, weight changes, and mood disorders, it is always advisable to get tested. Hormonal imbalances manifest in many different ways

Common hormonal imbalances to be aware of include:

●      Estrogen dominance: This is caused by estrogen levels being higher than progesterone levels, resulting in conditions like breast and uterine cancers, fibroids, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome

●      Thyroid disorders: When your thyroid produces an excess or deficiency of hormones, it can lead to imbalances causing symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, and dry skin

●      PCOS: Often caused by higher-than-normal levels of androgens, polycystic ovary syndrome can lead to missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain

●      Adrenal fatigue: This is generally caused by low cortisol levels and chronic exposure to stressful situations, leading to severe tiredness, lightheadedness, and weight loss

●      Insulin resistance: This is when the cells in your muscles, fat, and liver are unable to process insulin normally. As a result, glucose continues to build up and is eventually converted into body fat. Insulin resistance could lead to pre-diabetes and, eventually, type 2 diabetes

Types of hormone tests

Via blood or urine tests, you can make a good assessment of your body’s hormonal health.

Blood tests are usually done to measure hormones specific to the female body like estrogen and progesterone. They can also be used to test for hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Testosterone/DHEA, thyroid hormones, and luteinizing hormone (LH). Abnormal levels of these could possibly indicate that you have a certain medical condition like ovarian cysts, thyroid disease, PCOS, or cancer.

Alternatively, urine tests can be utilised, though they are primarily used for hormone metabolite analysis, which provides a unique diagnostic view that no other hormone testing offers. This analysis shows how a patient is breaking down a variety of hormones – like estrogens, progestogens, androgens, and cortisol, and tells practitioners whether a patient is fully detoxifying their hormones, making them more or less at risk for a variety of diseases.

Why regular testing is important

Regular hormonal testing is crucial for staying on top of your health – it creates an effective testing and feedback loop that supports your well-being.

Regular testing enables the early detection of hormonal imbalances, preventing long-term health issues like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and osteoporosis. By identifying these imbalances early, healthcare providers can intervene before they progress to more severe conditions.

Treatments can often be simple and non-intrusive, encompassing actions like taking specific supplements, avoiding stressful situations, and making diet and lifestyle changes.

Finally, regular testing allows practitioners to monitor the effectiveness of treatment plans, allowing them to track changes in hormone levels and adjust treatments as necessary, ensuring they remain effective and preventing potential side effects.

Further reading

Below are some useful resources to help you better understand your body and the hormones that govern its many processes:

●      Types of Hormone Tests for Women and Their Results

●      Everything You Should Know About Hormonal Imbalance

●      Do You Have a Hormone Imbalance?

This article does not constitute medical advice, and it is always recommended that you visit a medical professional to share any concerns or abnormal symptoms regarding your health – more often than not, it’s hormone-related.

// Dr. Harjit Bahia Ph.D, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of ZOI-ME