No doubt you’ve heard about hormone deficiency and the trouble it can cause, but have you ever looked at just how challenging hormone deficiency really is for your body?
Of course, hormone deficiency can present differently from one person to another, leading to a wide range of symptoms with the signs varying depending on which hormone is deficient.
Confused yet?
Don’t be.
We’ve created a breakdown of some common signs and symptoms associated with hormone deficiencies as they correspond to several key hormones. Keep in mind that hormone deficiencies can be effectively addressed by hormone replacement therapy options.
Thyroid hormones→Hypothyroidism
If you or anyone you know suffers from hypothyroidism, the symptoms can include any or all of the following:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Weight gain
- Cold intolerance
- Dry skin and hair
- Constipation
- Muscle aches and stiffness
- Depression
- Memory problems
- Slowed heart rate
A simple blood test can confirm if your thyroid is struggling with hormone shifts or changes.
Insulin→Diabetes
More than a penchant for sweets, hormones play a critical role in whether an individual develops diabetes. Though symptoms can and do vary, they can present as:
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased hunger
- Blurred vision
- Slow wound healing
- Tingling or numbness in extremities
Similar to testing for hypothyroidism, a quick blood test and insulin check will determine whether you’re dealing with diabetes.
Growth hormone→growth hormone deficiency
Depleted levels of growth hormone can cause noticeable changes, both physical and mental, such as:
- Short stature (in children)
- Decreased muscle mass
- Increased body fat
- Fatigue and weakness
- Reduced bone density
- Impaired cognitive function
In light of these physical and mental symptoms, it’s important to have your hormones tested to ensure you have optimal levels of growth hormone circulating throughout your body.
Cortisol→adrenal insufficiency
Though you’ve likely heard about the ills of cortisol left unchecked, the fact is, this stress hormone can wreak significant havoc on your physical well-being.
Symptoms of adrenal insufficiency might look like:
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Muscle weakness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Low blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Darkening of the skin (in primary adrenal insufficiency)
Clearly, none of this sounds pleasant, which is why having your hormones checked should rank at the top of your to-do list.
Sex hormones→estrogen and testosterone
As women, we tend to blame our feelings and even our moods on the presence — or absence — of healthy hormone levels. While blaming everything on our period doesn’t (and shouldn’t) give you a hall pass for spotty behavior, it’s important to realize that hormone deficiency can also affect men.
All told, estrogen and testosterone fluctuations can cause:
- Irregular menstrual cycles (in women)
- Erectile dysfunction (in men)
- Low libido
- Hot flashes and night sweats (in menopause)
- Mood swings and depression
- Loss of muscle mass and bone density (in both sexes)
Unlike the battle of the sexes, this is a common enemy. Hormones are critically important for both men and women, which is why testing for levels of estrogen and testosterone is important to maintain a healthy libido and all that goes with it.
Adrenaline and noradrenaline→ adrenal medulla disorders
Similar to other hormone deficiencies, an imbalance of adrenaline and noradrenaline can result in physical and psychological challenges, including:
- Rapid heartbeat
- High blood pressure
- Sweating excessively
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Tremors
Avoiding these unpleasant symptoms starts with a simple test in order to assess your levels and determine a solution.
The bottom line on hormone deficiencies
It’s important to note that hormone deficiencies can be caused by various factors, including medical conditions, genetic predisposition, medication side effects, or lifestyle factors.
If you suspect you have a hormone deficiency based on these signs and symptoms, contact our team to discuss your hormone replacement therapy options.
