Feeling a Little Off Kilter?

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Hormones regulate crucial bodily processes such as growth, development, metabolism, sexual function, reproduction, and mood. Chemical messengers originate in specific glands. It's important to note that hormones solely target receptor cells that initiate the intended response.

Endocrine glands produce hormones. Vital endocrine hormones govern mood, growth, metabolism, and reproduction. By targeting specific cells, they regulate essential physiological processes such as growth, metabolism, sleep, mood, and electrolyte balance.

By releasing hormones into the bloodstream, endocrine glands enable them to reach cells all over the body. The pituitary gland, positioned near the hypothalamus, works closely with it through a blood system. Some hormones have widespread effects, influencing cells throughout your body, while others only affect specific cells in certain organs.

Hormonal Decline Gradually Impacts the Body

During your mid-twenties, hormonal decline gradually starts to affect your body and typically becomes a natural part of aging. So anytime you’re feeling off your game, it may be time to do simple hormone testing. Discussed below are common culprits, such as:

Estrogen: If you think estrogen is only for women, you would be wrong. Estrogen plays a crucial role in both male and female bodies. In women, it's responsible for ovulation, menstruation, breast development, and more. In men, estrogen modulates libido, erectile function, and development of sperm cells.

Progesterone: Progesterone hormone is a key player during a woman’s menstrual cycle. It helps prep the uterus for pregnancy and supports the early stages of fetal development. But, an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone can lead to weight gain or obesity.

Testosterone: Low testosterone in men can lead to a decrease in sex drive, erectile dysfunction, reduced muscle mass, and breast tissue swelling. On the other hand, excessive testosterone in men can cause irritability, aggression, and outbreaks of acne.

Insulin: Insulin, known as the fat-storage hormone, is released by the pancreas and has a major impact on our metabolism. It allows our organs, liver, and fat to absorb glucose. However, diabetics struggle with proper insulin regulation, leading to difficulties in converting food into energy.

Cortisol: Stress triggers your endocrine system to release cortisol and adrenaline. Adrenaline, like cortisol, is a stress hormone that prepares your body for fight-or-flight responses. But excessive release of stress hormones can result in rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and emotional eating.

Thyroid Hormone: When your thyroid isn't functioning properly, your metabolism slows down, making it harder to burn calories and leading to weight gain. This is especially true in cases of hypothyroidism, where the thyroid produces too few hormones.

If your body is producing too much or too little of certain hormones, you may experience vague symptoms that are hard to pinpoint. You might just feel "off kilter" without being able to articulate exactly what is wrong. The time it takes to balance hormones can vary, but research shows that by taking a holistic approach, it is possible to achieve your goals.

An at-home MRC Hormone Test Kit can help identify hormonal imbalances by identifying common culprits that can lead to weight gain and make losing weight difficult. Increasing your fiber intake can promote an increase in ghrelin between meals. So, make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains to get enough fiber.