By Richmond Natural Medicine

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April 29, 2019

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Hormone support, for both men and women, is a common area of health that practitioners at Richmond Natural Medicine address with each patient. There are a number of different hormones such as thyroid, adrenal, as well as the female and male sex hormones.  These hormones regulate metabolism, energy, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and circadian rhythm balance, and mood. When one or more of our hormones are out of balance, a number of symptoms can present that eventually cascade into more complex problems. Often, the symptoms of a hormone imbalance can be subtle, such as gradual weight gain, lethargy, or poor sleep. In other instances, hormone imbalance may be more obvious. In each case, there is often a deeper layer to address than just the hormone imbalance itself. A combination of lifestyle and diet, family history, age, and environmental factors, are all addressed when working with your naturopathic doctor.

Some Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

1. Mood swings
2. PMS / PCOS / Painful or irregular menstrual cycles
3. Fatigue
4. Blood sugar dysregulation
5. Sleep issues
6. Acne
7. Sexual dysfunction
8. Changes in metabolism

Why focusing on hormones alone is not enough

Hormone dysregulation is rarely a stand-alone issue. For an imbalance to occur, there is usually a potentiating factor that causes the endocrine system, immune system, or reproductive system to become out of balance. For example, in hypothyroidism, there is a strong connection to the adrenal glands via the HPA (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal) axis, involving stress and blood sugar balance. Often, a major stressor can impact the production of cortisol from the adrenal glands, which in turn affects the feedback loop to the thyroid gland, which can cascade into a hypothyroidism response. If the stressors are still present for the person, the adrenal gland will continue to struggle, and continue to send a “stress” response to the thyroid gland. Even if someone is taking a hormone support medication for the thyroid, the underlying cause of the problem is not addressed and may remain a problem long term.

The Naturopathic Approach

When taking a holistic approach to hormone balance, the practitioners at RNM will look at your health and family history, as well as review any recent lab work, or make recommendations for additional lab work to be completed. Your diet, lifestyle, environment, and other areas of health will all be assessed and contribute to the health plan your practitioner will create for you. You can expect suggestions to be made in areas of stress support and reduction, sleep hygiene, dietary changes, supplement or homeopathic recommendations, and exercise. This is a full spectrum approach that not only addresses the cause of hormone imbalance but encourages continued support for long term, sustainable hormone balance.

What your Naturopathic Doctor May Be Looking For

1. Estradiol, estrone, progesterone, testosterone
2. Progesterone metabolites
3. Estrogen metabolites
4. Androgens and metabolites
5. Total DHEA, 24 hr free cortisol, metabolized cortisol
6. Cortisol metabolites
7. Melatonin
8. Creatinine
9. Nutritional Organic Acids
10. Neurotransmitter metabolites

This is invaluable information when taking an individualized approach to a person’s hormone health. Hormone support should be personalized, and symptoms can be challenging to manage if recommendations are not expertly tailored to address a person’s specific needs. These hormone levels offer your doctor a personalized glimpse into your hormone health and provide a tool for addressing and balancing your hormones through a holistic approach.

How We Utilize This Information

When we have a clear and comprehensive picture of your hormone health, we can use this information to specifically tailor your care plan to address your levels of hormone production, and even work preventatively. Whether you’re over- or under-producing certain hormones, your naturopathic doctor can make tailored recommendations to address your specific needs both nutritionally, supplementally, and with lifestyle recommendations.

Read More: The Key To Vibrant Health | The Adrenal Glands

Read More: Naturopathic Approaches to PCOS

Read More: Circadian Rhythm | The Importance of our Internal Clock