Endocrine Imbalance
Levels of female hormones are in a continual and dynamic state of change throughout the menstrual cycle. These changes are responsible for many of the emotional and physical symptoms women experience throughout a monthly cycle. Women with hormone-related conditions such as PMS (premenstrual syndrome), irregular menstrual cycles, and PCO (polycystic ovarian syndrome) should have hormone testing throughout an entire month as one isolated hormone test does not show the entire picture of the monthly cycle. There are many lifestyle, vitamin, herbal, and nutritional interventions that effectively reduce symptoms and correct the imbalances in female hormones.
Andropause or ‘male menopause’ – Men in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s that exhibit symptoms of decreased sex drive, low energy, mental fatigue, depression, irritability, loss of morning erections, difficulty losing weight and decreased muscle mass may have a hormonal imbalance related to either testosterone deficiency or estrogen dominance. The comprehensive hormone testing, lifestyle interventions, and herbal and nutritional support that Vitality offers can help to address these imbalances.
Adrenal fatigue – The adrenal glands are integral in helping the body manage and adapt to stress. They give us energy when we need it, help regulate blood sugar and metabolism and are responsible for our “fight or flight” response. Commons symptoms include: sugar or carbohydrate cravings, caffeine, irritability with missed meals, tiredness and difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, low energy during the day, and difficulty falling or staying asleep throughout the night. Chronic stress and poor diet depletes the adrenal gland and may contribute to adrenal fatigue and eventually exhaustion.
Thyroid Disease The thyroid is one of the most misunderstood and improperly addressed glands in the body. The key to thyroid care begins with comprehensive history which often elucidates signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism (e.g. fatigue, depression, cold intolerance, dry and brittle skin, hair, and nails, elevated cholesterol levels and constipation). Many patients have mixed presentation of hypo and hyperthyroidism (often an early sign of autoimmune thyroid disease). Modern medicine has largely relegated interpretation of thyroid health to the single value of one test, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which has a vast “normal range”. In order to fully evaluate thyroid function, a simple TSH level will not suffice. A full hormone panel including several infrequently ordered tests and often basal body temperatures are required to assess the true health of the thyroid and even then many have normal testing and have subclinical thyroid disease and will continue to suffer without appropriate treatment.
Hormones are utilized by virtually every organ and tissue in the body. When one hormone is out of balance, it can easily affect other hormones in different parts of the body. The endocrine system maintains chemical feedback loops to keep hormone levels from getting too high or too low. Glandular tissue is easily destabilized and exquisitely sensitive to toxins. A variety of chemicals found in plastics, flame retardants, rocket fuel, plant, animal and other sources can alter this natural balance. Additionally, autoimmune disease and the resultant auto-antibodies can interfere with a gland’s under- or over-function.
At Vitality we effectively target glandular disease without:
- Destroying overactive thyroid glands with radiation (seen in hyperthyroidism)
- Pharmacologically treating with lifelong synthetic hormones unless no other option is possible.
- Ignoring the symptoms (common in adrenal dysregulation)
- Failing to address the underlying causes
Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our clinicians to determine if testing and treatment is warranted.
