The role of hormones 

Hormones help communication between different parts of the body, allowing for a suitable reaction to the different stressors in our lives and maintaining homeostasis. An example of this would be when a hormone in the brain (ACTH) triggers the release of cortisol by the adrenal gland when under stress. It may appear straightforward when looking at one hormone, but the reality is that our bodies produce many hormones and each one interacts with the others, causing alterations may sometimes be difficult to balance.

Several factors may lead to imbalances, but lifestyle factors like stress, smoking, alcohol, diet, and physical activity all play a big role in maintaining hormone balance.

Functional medicine helps recognize and treat the fundamental causes to bring back equilibrium and alleviate the symptoms, not just being content to have symptoms because we are at a certain age or because they are in our genes.

Dr Suparna Chakrabarti MBBS, MRCGP, DCH, MSc (Primary Care), DipFN, mBANT, mCNHC, mBSLM Woman's Health
Dr Suparna Chakrabarti MBBS, MRCGP, DCH, MSc (Primary Care), DipFN, mBANT, mCNHC, mBSLM

Symptoms of hormone imbalance

Hormone imbalance can have multiple symptoms, depending on what is driving it. Below are some of the main symptoms:

 

  • Fatigue & Tiredness 

  • Brain Fog

  • Night sweats

  • Vaginal Dryness

  • Gut Issues

  • Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements.

  • Numbness and tingling in your hands.

  • Higher-than-normal blood cholesterol levels.

  • Depression or anxiety, mood swings 

  • Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia).

  • Unexplained weight gain or weight loss.

  • Body aches and Joint pains 

Common conditions that may be due to hormonal imbalances in women are:

  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

  • Endometriosis

  • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)

  • Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

  • Perimenopause

  • Menopause

  • Thyroid imbalances

  • Adrenal insufficiency

Treatment 

A functional medicine approach involves analyzing the symptoms, conducting a nutrition assessment, identifying lifestyle factors, and using functional testing to identify imbalances. Dietary changes and supplements can be recommended, which can help relieve symptoms.

Frequently asked questions by our clients

Dr Suparna Chakrabarti MBBS, MRCGP, DCH, MSc (Primary Care), DipFN, mBANT, mCNHC, mBSLM

  • Imbalances in progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone are common around menopause, “perimenopause,” and can cause various symptoms. Most of these hormones are anti-inflammatory to the body, but when they are low, they can cause systemic inflammation. These imbalances also increase the risk of autoimmune diseases, heart disease, osteoporosis, immune dysfunction, and hormone-dependent cancers.

  • The thyroid is essential for maintaining energy levels, metabolism, and many bodily functions. Proper thyroid health is crucial for physical and mental well-being.

    The hypothalamus, a part of the brain, produces a hormone called TSH for thyroid-stimulating hormone, which then stimulates the production of T4 by the thyroid, which needs to be converted into the active T3 hormone. This conversion requires some key nutrients, such as zinc and selenium, and a deficiency of these can cause low thyroid symptoms. The immune system can also interfere with normal thyroid production by making autoantibodies, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, known as Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis.

  • Cortisol helps maintain a person’s overall health and well-being and is required for the proper functioning and normal production of both thyroid and sex hormones. Chronic stress can lead to elevated cortisol levels, which can lead to issues of insulin resistance, central obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, memory loss, altered thyroid function, and changes in sex hormones. 

If you’d like to know more, please get in touch or book in a free call with Suparna by clicking the link below.