Hormonal disorders - Horizon Wellness Clinic

Hormones are extremely important for regulating many of the body's functions. A hormonal disorder occurs when there is too much or too little of a certain hormone in the bloodstream, or when the body can't respond to hormones properly. This can impact many processes like growth, development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood. Some common hormonal disorders include:

• Hypothyroidism: The thyroid gland doesn't produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, and depression. It's more common in women and people over 60. Treatment typically involves taking thyroid hormone medication.
• Hyperthyroidism: The thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone, accelerating the body's metabolism. Symptoms can include unexplained weight loss, rapid heartbeat, tremors, and irritability. There are various treatment options like radioactive iodine, anti-thyroid medications, or surgery.
• Diabetes: In diabetes, the body can't properly use insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Both type 1 diabetes (an autoimmune disorder) and type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance) prevent proper glucose regulation. Diabetes can damage organs if blood sugar isn't controlled.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): This common condition affects how ovaries work due to high levels of androgens ("male" hormones). It can cause irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and fertility issues. Losing weight, birth control pills, and other medications can help alleviate symptoms.

What causes hormonal disorders? They can stem from genetic mutations, failure of hormonal feedback loops, damage or disease in the endocrine glands, immune system errors, tumors affecting hormone secretion, and imbalanced hormones from poor diet, excess body fat, stress, and environmental toxins. If your hormones seem out of balance, see your doctor. They can run blood tests to check for hormonal disorders, then advise treatment options if an underlying condition is found. Treatment depends on the specific disorder but may include hormone therapy (like thyroid medication), medications to address symptoms (like diabetes drugs), surgery in some cases, and lifestyle/dietary changes. Controlling hormonal disorders is crucial since they can negatively impact nearly every body system when left untreated. Thankfully, there are many ways to regulate hormones again, alleviate uncomfortable symptoms, and reduce the risk of complications through modern medicine. Monitoring lab work and communicating with your doctor is key to balancing your hormones and feeling your best. I hope this overview gives some insight into common hormonal disorders! Let me know if you have any other questions.