Low Hormone Levels Can Cause Fatigue

Part 1 of a two part series on Hormonal Imbalance and Weight Loss

When your hormones are out of balance, it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Many of the organs and systems in your body are controlled by the release of different hormones into the bloodstream. Your endocrine system is made up of a network of glands that secrete hormones to regulate bodily functions like growth and metabolism. Target receptors must be able to respond appropriately to effectively produce the hormones your body needs. When your endocrine system is working correctly, it closely regulates the effects and level of hormones.

Men produce estrogen at a lower level

The primary function of the ovary as an endocrine gland is to produce the female hormone estrogen. Men also produce estrogen but at much lower levels than women. The testes and adrenal glands secrete estrogen in the male body. Overweight men are more commonly affected because of adipose tissue that can set off an overproduction of estrogen. While there are essential benefits to estrogen hormones, estrogen dominance promotes tumor growth and hormone receptor positive breast cancers.

DHEA is converted by the body into a hormone

Although medical researchers don't know everything DHEA does, scientists do know that it functions as precursor that is converted by the body into a hormone. DHEA hormone supports the production of testosterone and estrogen. People who have adrenal insufficiency, depression, multi-infarct dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, HIV, osteoporosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, congestive heart failure, multiple sclerosis, asthma and erectile dysfunction all tend to have below-normal DHEA levels. Several studies have concluded that DHEA supplements may help people with depression, obesity, lupus, and adrenal insufficiency as well as help treat osteoporosis, sexual dysfunctions and some psychological conditions in older people.

Testosterone is vital for good health in both sexes

Testosterone is not a miracle drug that can fix everyone's hormonal imbalances or body issues. But, men and women suffering from abnormally low levels of testosterone benefit from restoring hormonal balance. Although testosterone is often labeled the male sex hormone, testosterone is vital for good health in women and directly linked to weight loss resistance, mood swings, depression, difficulty concentrating and hair loss. Healthy testosterone levels are important for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, and more importantly, a healthy body fat percentage in both men and women. Remember, you can be skinny but still be metabolically unhealthy.

Undetected hormone deficiencies identified by saliva testing

Testing hormones in saliva can help to reveal undetected hormone imbalances that may be making it easy to gain weight and difficult to lose weight and keep it off. Lower testosterone, estrogen dominance and DHEAs can contribute to reduced thyroid hormone production and a slower metabolism.