Outer signs our body gives us when hormones are imbalanced

The human body is a complex machine, and that’s mainly because of hormones. For those unaware, hormones are chemical substances secreted by the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, pineal glands, and pancreas, all of which are glands that make up the endocrine system. The testes in men and ovaries in women are also part of this complex system. Once secreted by their respective glands, hormones enter the bloodstream and travel to various cells and tissues. This process supports and regulates numerous bodily functions.
The Role of Hormones in the Human Body
From early childhood and adolescence to middle age and beyond, hormones play an integral role when it comes to supporting and regulating the following bodily functions:
- Blood sugar levels
- Blood pressure
- Growth and development
- Fertility and sex drive
- Metabolism
- Sleep
In addition to these critical functions, hormones coordinate and control the body’s internal metabolism and energy levels. It also controls how the body responds to injury, stress, and environmental factors. When the pituitary, adrenal, pineal, or any of the other many glands in the endocrine system begin to secrete fewer hormones into the bloodstream, it can trigger a hormone imbalance or hormonal deficiency that interferes with many bodily processes. Some of the hormone deficiencies commonly diagnosed by general physicians and endocrinologists include the following:
- Adrenal hormone deficiency
- Estrogen and progesterone deficiencies
- Human growth hormone deficiency
- Insulin deficiency
- Testosterone deficiency
- Thyroid hormone deficiency
Common Telltale Signs of a Hormone Imbalance
Although the endocrine system comprises only eight major glands, it secretes over 50 hormones. Therefore, the signs and symptoms of a hormone deficiency or hormonal imbalance can vary depending on the specific hormone someone is deficient in. For example, if someone becomes deficient in insulin, secreted by the pancreas, or human growth hormone (HGH), secreted by the pituitary gland, it can adversely affect their metabolism. When someone’s metabolism is off, they not only gain weight but also have a hard time losing weight despite changing their diet and exercising. Fatigue is also a common hallmark of a poorly functioning metabolism.
Along with being more susceptible to weight gain, struggling with fatigue, and finding it increasingly difficult to lose weight, an insulin deficiency can trigger symptoms typical of below-average insulin levels. For reference, healthy fasting insulin levels for adults are between 5 and 15 μU/mL. When insulin levels fall too low, most people will experience chronic thirst and hunger, frequent urination, blurred vision, headaches, and changes in skin appearance. For adults with below-average HGH levels or full-on HGH deficiency, the telltale signs and symptoms are many. Some of the more commonly reported ones include the following:
- A decline in lean muscle mass and strength
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Increased belly fat
- Increased sensitivity to heat and cold
- Low libido and decreased sexual function
- Reduced bone density
- Reduced stamina
Sex Hormone Imbalances
During middle age, most men and women experience an imbalance in their sex hormones. For men, that means low testosterone levels. And for women, that generally means low progesterone and estrogen levels. In men, the testes secrete testosterone. In women, the ovaries secrete progesterone and estrogen. In both genders, these sex hormones play a critical role in reproduction, sexual development, immune system function, and brain function.
Healthy and normal testosterone levels in men are between 300 to 1,000 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). Meanwhile, healthy and normal estrogen levels for non-pregnant women who experience menstrual cycles are 30-400 pg/mL. Less than 1.00 nanogram per milliliter (ng/mL) or 3.18 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) before ovulation and between 5 and 20 ng/mL or 15.90 and 63.60 nmol/L after ovulation are considered healthy and normal progesterone levels for women.
Studies show that when testosterone levels fall below what is considered normal in men, most will experience libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), reduced sperm count, reduced testicle size, and fertility problems. Most will also notice a decline in muscle mass, strength, and bone density. Increased body fat is also common among men with low testosterone levels. Low estrogen or progesterone levels in women can cause the following:
- Anxiety and depression
- Bloating
- Hot flashes and night sweats
- Hypersomnia
- Insomnia
- Low libido and painful intercourse
- Mood swings and irritability
- Tender breasts
- Vaginal atrophy
- Vaginal dryness
- Weak and brittle bones
- Weight gain
Thyroid Hormone Imbalances
Thyroid hormonal imbalances are also common among most men and women in the U.S. According to a study published by the American Thyroid Association (ATA), an estimated 12% of the U.S. population will experience a thyroid condition at some point in their lifetime. Normal and healthy thyroid levels are typically 0.4 to 4.0 milliunits per liter (mU/L) for adults. When thyroid levels fall too low, men and women will develop what is known as hypothyroidism. Symptoms of hypothyroidism can include one or more of the following:
- Changes in heart rate
- Constipation
- Dry skin and dry, thinning hair
- Facial swelling
- Fatigue
- Joint and muscle pain
- Menstrual irregularities in women
- Mood disorders
- Weight gain
Treatment Options for Hormonal Imbalances
From low HGH and testosterone levels to low estrogen and low progesterone levels and everything in between, most hormonal imbalances can be resolved by simply adopting healthy lifestyle habits. Such habits include exercising regularly, consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of sleep. Severe hormonal imbalances, however, may require medical intervention. Common treatments for such imbalances typically include hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which involves the use of medications approved to treat hormonal imbalances.
Examples include the human growth hormone for sale by prescription-only drugs available at most online and brick-and-mortar pharmacies, such as Norditropin, Humatrope, and Genotropin, which help boost low HGH levels in men and women. Other examples include Azurette and Aranelle, prescription-only drugs that boost low estrogen and progesterone levels in women. Androgel, Androderm, and Depo-Testosterone are a few of the go-to drugs to treat low testosterone in men.
All in all, many natural and medicinal treatments can combat and provide relief from the hormonal imbalance symptoms many people encounter as they age. To find out what approach is best for you, consider scheduling an appointment with a physician today.