Hormones and the Endocrine System
Hormones are chemicals that are naturally produced by the endocrine system to help organs and tissues perform specific functions. Even the slightest change in hormone production can cause hormonal imbalances which can wreak havoc in the body, causing diseases and conditions to appear seemingly out of nowhere and making you feel awful.
Hormones affect nearly every function in the body and help to regulate:
Metabolism
Heart rate
Sleep
Fertility and reproduction
Sexual function
Growth and development
Mood and stress levels
Body temperature
Hormone Disorders are Common
Hormone disorders are more common than you may realize, manifesting in many different ways. Hormone levels naturally decrease as we age but can decrease more rapidly with certain health conditions. Hormone disorders are increasingly common, affecting people at younger ages today due to the presence of chemicals that mimic estrogen in our environment. We most often associate hormones with puberty, sex, and reproduction – but, realistically, hormones affect many different systems in the body.
Diabetes is essentially a hormonal disorder. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Unexpected weight gain or weight loss could be due to thyroid dysfunction or fluctuating levels of cortisol, the "stress hormone".
Mood swings, anxiety, and depression can be affected by hormones too, specifically serotonin.
There are any number of hormonal imbalances that could be causing your condition. Comprehensive hormone testing is the first step in identifying the root cause of your illness and developing an effective treatment plan.
Why Hormone Disorders Happen
We don't know exactly why hormonal disorders occur. Sometimes it is genetic. At other times, it can be caused by environmental conditions or medications. Still others are a mystery. But the imbalance can often be traced back to a problem with the gland that secretes a particular hormone.
At The Lyday Center we work our way backwards, using diagnostic testing and your personal experience and observations to follow the trail of symptoms back to the suspect gland. At that point, we can determine which hormones are out of balance and create a treatment plan that restores hormonal balance. This enables your body to regain function and naturally recover for long-lasting results.
signs & symptoms
of a Hormone Disorder
Men and women are both affected by hormone disorders and it can happen at any time of life. There isn’t a standard set of symptoms for a hormone imbalance. Symptoms depend on which glands and hormones are affected and may fluctuate over time. You may have good and bad periods or you may experience a steady decline. You may have periods of recovery, only to have symptoms reappear later on.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a hormone imbalance are:
Bloating
Brain fog
Chronic fatigue
Decreased libido
Dry skin
Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
Erectile dysfunction
Excessive sweating or night sweats
Fatigue
Gastrointestinal changes
Headaches
Increased thirst
Infertility
Irregular heartbeat
Irritability, anxiety, or depression
Rashes
Sensitivity to heat or cold
Sleep problems or insomnia
Weight gain or weight loss
“First and foremost, Dr. Lyday is the first health practitioner within the traditional healthcare setting, who truly took the time to listen to me and work to help find the root cause of my health issues. Other practitioners took very little time or dismissed my symptoms as being an issue that could be fixed with another prescription.”
Treatment for Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalances are treated in a variety of ways. Your treatment plan will be customized based on your unique condition and situation.
Treatment may include:
Lifestyle changes
Dietary changes
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Bioidentical hormones
Testosterone replacement
Our goal is to restore hormone levels back to where they should be so you can get back to living a life full of vitality.
Have questions?
restore hormone balance
Get Your Life Back
It is possible to correct a hormonal imbalance. Our natural solutions and holistic approach minimize side effects and maximize your chances of recovery. Why continue feeling the way you feel? Do something good for yourself. Take the first step toward feeling more like your old self today!
