Diseases & Conditions, Health

Exploring Hormonal Imbalances

Catherine Smith
Abhinaya Jawahar, MD
Ana Cornea, MD
October 31, 2022

Balancing Act Exploring Hormonal Imbalances

To date, scientists have identified over 50 hormones in the human body. These naturally occurring chemicals control a number of essential bodily functions, from metabolism and energy level to growth and development, but there is a delicate balance. Hormonal imbalances occur when there is too much or too little of a hormone in the body, which can cause both temporary conditions and chronic disorders. Here, we spoke with local experts to learn more about some of the most common hormonal imbalances and their effects on the body.

Thyroid Hormone

Metabolism is the bodily process of breaking down food into energy, which is largely regulated by the thyroid gland and thyroid hormone. “The thyroid turns iodine from the foods you eat into two types of thyroid hormone,” says Dr. Abhinaya Jawahar, an endocrinologist with Erlanger Endocrinology. “When you have just the right amount of those hormones, your body efficiently uses the energy from foods. But when you have either too little or too much, problems result.” Thyroid hormone plays a key role in regulating energy levels, body weight, and even how adipose tissue, or fat, is stored in the body. “Most people never think about their thyroid. But when it goes haywire, it can affect nearly every part of your body,” says Dr. Jawahar. About 20 million Americans have thyroid disorders, but women are roughly five times more likely to deal with these hormonal imbalances.

Hyperthyroidism

When the body produces too much thyroid hormone, it can result in an increased metabolism characterized by increased energy expenditure. According to Dr. Jawahar, hyperthyroidism can cause difficulty sleeping, extreme hunger, increased sweating, irregular periods, muscle weakness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and unexplainable weight loss.

Hypothyroidism

When the body does not produce enough thyroid hormone, it can result in a slowed metabolism characterized by reduced resting energy expenditure, weight gain, increased cholesterol levels, and reduced fat burning. Symptoms of hypothyroidism include constipation, fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, forgetfulness, and sensitivities to temperature.

Reproductive Hormones

Reproductive hormones include estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone, which play important roles in development, sexual activity, and reproduction. Though all of these hormones are naturally present in both male and female bodies, there are a number of conditions that can occur when they become out of balance.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

This is a condition in which the ovaries produce abnormal levels of male sex hormones. “Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome are lack of menses or sporadic menses every three or four months, excessive body weight, excessive facial hair, and acne,” says Dr. Ana Cornea, an endocrinologist with Parkridge Medical Group. “If left untreated, polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with infertility, risk for diabetes, and increased risk of uterine cancer.” According to Dr. Cornea, PCOS can be hereditary, so it is best to keep an eye out for these symptoms if you have a family history of the disorder. “Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome includes birth control pills, metformin if there are glucose abnormalities, and spironolactone if patients have problems with facial acne or excessive facial hair,” she says.

Male Hypogonadism (Low Testosterone)

The male body naturally produces less testosterone with increased age, but other factors like stress, acute and chronic conditions, and excessive body weight can also affect testosterone levels. “Symptoms of low testosterone level in a male patient typically involve low energy level, decreased libido and sexual activity, depression, and weight gain,” says Dr. Cornea. Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement therapy, but Dr. Cornea warns that it is important to do adequate testing to be sure this is necessary, and it is very dangerous to use testosterone for things like bodybuilding. “Taking external testosterone will actually suppress their production of testosterone, and they will have to take testosterone for the rest of their life.”

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that develops when the pancreas is not able to produce an adequate amount of a hormone called insulin. Without enough insulin, our bodies cannot properly utilize the glucose in our bloodstream, which leads to high blood sugar levels that can be very damaging to the body. According to the CDC, over 11% of Americans have diabetes, making it the most common disorder caused by hormonal imbalance.
When the body does not have enough insulin, hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, can cause a host of problems. If hyperglycemia is not addressed, it can lead to severe complications including damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart. Early warning signs to watch out for include frequent urination, increased thirst, blurred vision, and fatigue.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1, also called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the pancreas, rendering it incapable of producing adequate insulin. As the disease progresses, more and more damage will be done to the pancreas until it produces little to no insulin. The cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, but people who have another autoimmune disease are at a greater risk of developing it. Type 1 diabetes can happen at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in children and adolescents. There is currently no cure for type 1 diabetes, and though there are experimental drugs to slow its progression, there is no way to prevent it, either.

Type 2 Diabetes

The more common form of diabetes is type 2, which occurs when the body cannot properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas. While the pancreas can still produce some insulin, it is not enough to counteract the body’s resistance to the hormone. The greatest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes are being over the age of 45 and overweight, but having a family history of the condition also increases your risk.

While there is no one-size-fits-all list of symptoms when it comes to hormonal disorders, there are several warning signs that can alert you that something may be wrong. You should contact your medical provider if you experience the urge to urinate frequently, extreme thirst, persistent nausea or abdominal pain, sudden unexplained changes in weight, persistent exhaustion, abnormal sweating, episodes of rapid heart rate or blood pressure, or developmental delays. It is important to keep up with routine testing, particularly if you have a family history of hormone-related disorders.