Hormone Imbalance

Hormone imbalance is very common and comes with a wide array of different symptoms. Depending on the hormone that is out of balance not only will the symptoms vary but the causes behind them may vary as well. Our hormones are key parts of regulating a wide range of different processes and functions within our bodies. 

When the hormones that control these systems and functions find themselves out of whack it can lead to a lot of mesh. Depending on the hormone that is out of balance different systems will be affected and you may find yourself dealing with things like chronic fatigue or extreme mood swings.

What Causes Hormone Imbalance?

There are a wide range of symptoms that come from your hormones being out of balance but in the end, our doctors look to find the root cause behind that imbalance. In order to do that the doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness look at the hormones themselves. 

These hormones are messengers in your body and at any given time there are more than 50 of them being ushered throughout your body by your endocrine system. This is where they originate and then are dispersed throughout your body in your bloodstream. 

Each of these hormones communicates with the cells what your brain and body need from them. This is how our body’s homeostasis stays in balance. These hormones send messages to the different parts of our body to ensure that the functions are being executed properly. 

When they are in balance you have better metabolism, your blood sugar levels are maintained properly, and you have proper production and uptake of certain very key hormones like estrogen and progesterone. 

But on the other hand, if that homeostasis is out of balance then the communications breakdown between the brain and the body. This can leave us with a ton of different symptoms that present themselves.

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

The symptoms that present themselves can vary depending on the hormone that's out of balance as well as other factors like sex. But no matter what hormone imbalance you're dealing with there are some very common symptoms to keep an eye out for.

Here are some of the most common symptoms that you may spot that could be caused by a hormone imbalance:

• Fatigue is one of the primary symptoms that come with hormonal imbalances. There are many different hormones that can do this for instance a reduction in the production of estrogen or progesterone can cause symptoms that make sleep challenging. But there are so many other ways that hormone imbalance can affect your sleep patterns which eventually will reduce your energy levels and may potentially cause chronic fatigue.
• Are beginning to experience unexplained weight gain or loss this is another sign that your hormones may be out of balance. There are many different hormone-related conditions that can cause you to gain weight everything from menopause to an underactive thyroid.
• Reduction in your sex drive may also be a clear sign that your estrogen or testosterone levels are out of whack.
• For women, a sure sign of a hormone imbalance could be a heavier-than-normal or very painful menstrual cycle. This could be a sign of something like fibroids which are most often caused by a hormone imbalance.
• Everybody has mood swings every now and then but when it becomes a consistent issue then you may find that there are severe hormone imbalances. Anytime there is an imbalance in your hormones it's going to affect neurotransmitters. For instance, for a female who has estrogen imbalance problems, the neurotransmitter serotonin will be affected. Serotonin is a direct neurotransmitter that has to do with moods. So when those hormones are out of balance so too will be their moods.

Test to Diagnose Hormone Imbalance

The truth is there is no one test that our doctors can utilize to come up with the diagnosis of a hormone imbalance. Rather it takes a multitude of different tests to ensure that we are able to identify the hormone that is out of balance and address the issues. 

Our doctors start with an in-depth consultation where they may ask you things about how often you're experiencing the symptoms and other questions in regard to specific symptoms that come along with hormone imbalance. 

Once it's determined that you are in fact potentially dealing with a hormone imbalance our doctors will then order the tests. Some of the tests used to diagnose hormone imbalance are:

• Blood tests - the blood test order will take the sample that you have given and detect the level of hormones in your blood. Most of the time this is used to check your thyroid functionality as well as hormone levels and things like cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone.
• Pelvic exam - For women, one of the tests that could be utilized to see if there is a hormone imbalance is a pelvic exam. This is the classic pap smear that will check you for any cysts, tumors, and unusual growths. Men can have a pelvic exam as well, but this is less invasive as it is a simple check for abnormalities or lumps in the scrotum area.
• Ultrasound - the ultrasound tests that are often ordered are meant to be able to show the doctor images of certain areas of your body that could potentially show signs of hormone imbalance. Things like the uterus, testicles, thyroid, and ovaries are all areas that may be checked with an ultrasound.
• Advanced tests - are more advanced tests that we may order things like biopsies, MRIs, thyroid scans, or sperm count tests. All of these can be utilized together to create a more clear vision of what is the root cause of your symptoms.

Treatments We Use

Biofeedback

Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their bodies. It's an effective tool used to help patients cope with pain.

Control over many involuntary bodily functions is the cornerstone of biofeedback therapy. It is a widely acclaimed method for training individuals in techniques for reducing stress and for living a healthier life.

Biofeedback therapy has been used as an effective form of research-based intervention since the 1960s, it is non-invasive, painless, and medication free.

Neurofeedback

Also known as EEG Biofeedback, is a form of biofeedback therapy that uses brain training to improve Dysregulated EEG patterns. Dysregulated EEG patterns have been linked to a variety of symptoms including difficulty concentrating, migraine/headache pain, memory loss, fatigue, trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depression. 

Using this computerized feedback, the brain learns to increase or decrease certain brainwaves that are helpful for improved functioning. (Neurofeedback – uses EEG leads, and measures imbalances in the brain. Areas of the brain that are overstimulated vs. under-stimulated. Anxiety, depression, chronic pain. This test in conjunction with other tests gives the whole picture.

Neurotherapy can be used to improve and maintain healthy brain function. If you suffer from memory loss, lack of concentration, or disruptions in mental problem-solving ability an Evoke exam may be right for you. The eVox system is a safe and effective technology that allows doctors to objectively measure specific brain functions and then provide a personalized care strategy for you.

The Evoke uses a series of informative brain and heart measures that can reveal the areas of the brain that aren't functioning optimally. Then, your doctor will tailor an eVox Neurotherapy treatment regimen to target those areas. The treatment is simple and painless, many patients even find it relaxing. Best of all, there are no drugs and the changes made with eVox are lasting.

Hormone Therapy

Hormones replacement therapy is not one size fits all. It should be measured, tailored to each individual, and monitored closely. At Shakthi, we use serum, urine, and salivary testing to personalize the dosage for each person. 

We work with our compounding pharmacies to create bioidentical hormones unique to each individual's needs. If you are interested specifically in testosterone replacement then navigate here.

Nutraceutical Supplementation

Supplemental vitamins and minerals are crucial to balancing nutrient deficiencies. In place of prescription medications, we often prescribe Nutraceuticals to help patients achieve optimal health and prevent chronic pain and illness.

IV Therapy

Intravenous vitamin and mineral therapy  involve injections of vitamin and mineral solutions into a vein in the arm. This treatment is a powerful way to enhance the absorption of vital nutrients into the body.

The Benefits of Intravenous vitamins and minerals are: