Understanding Hormonal Imbalance: A Complete Guide

Overview

More than 50 hormones have been identified in the human body, and each has a unique function. Your hormones are chemicals produced by endocrine glands that travel throughout your body and target certain tissues.

A hormonal imbalance occurs when certain hormone levels are too high or too low. Depending on which hormone is high or low, an imbalance can cause a number of different problems.

Keep reading to learn more about the types of hormonal imbalances in men, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.

Hormonal Imbalance in Men

It’s possible for any of the body’s many hormones to get out of balance. But some of the most common hormone imbalances in men include:

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• Low testosterone
• Low thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• High cortisol (Cushing syndrome)
• Type 1 diabetes
• Diabetes insipidus

Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalances

Hormonal changes can cause many problems throughout your body. The symptoms you develop may depend on which hormone level is too high or too low.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, also called an androgen. Signs of hormonal imbalance linked to low testosterone may include:

Symptoms of Low Thyroid

Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland is underactive, producing too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms can include:

Hypothyroidism is more common in women , but it affects roughly 3 percent of young men aged 18 to 24 and 16 percent of men over 74.

It’s even less common for men to develop hyperthyroidism , where thyroid hormone levels aretoo high. High levels of thyroid hormone can cause a rapid heart rate, trouble sleeping, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and other health concerns.

Symptoms of High Cortisol

Cortisol is often nicknamed the “stress” hormone because your body produces more of it in times of physical or mental stress. Cortisol helps make energy more readily available to help you deal with stressors, but elevated levels of cortisol for an extended period can cause problems.

Symptoms of high cortisol levels, called Cushing syndrome , may include the following in men:

Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (medically known as diabetes mellitus type 1) occurs when your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce the hormone insulin, resulting in an imbalance. This may cause:

Most often, symptoms of type 1 diabetes start in childhood or around puberty.

In contrast, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can’t use insulin properly and your blood sugar levels rise. Type 2 diabetes often develops later in life due to insulin resistance, which is associated with having excess body fat.

Symptoms of Diabetes Insipidus

Despite sounding similar to type 1 diabetes, diabetes insipidus is a separate condition. There are two main categories: central diabetes insipidus, caused by a problem with the production or secretion of vasopressin , sometimes called the “antidiuretic hormone”, and peripheral diabetes insipidus, caused by a problem with the way your kidneys respond to vasopressin. Fluctuations in this hormone may cause excessive urine production.

The main signs and symptoms of diabetes insipidus include:

Symptoms of Hormone Imbalances in Women

In addition to the hormones above, women can also develop imbalances in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Low progesterone or estrogen levels may cause additional problems, such as:

Perhaps surprisingly, men can also develop imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. While these hormones are higher in women, they play an essential role in many aspects of male health, including fertility and the development of sperm.

• Low sex drive
• Fatigue
• Trouble building muscle
• Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• Erectile dysfunction or other problems with sexual function
• Changes in body hair growth
• Reduced bone density
• Infertility
• Low energy levels
• Weight gain
• Cold intolerance
• Dry skin
• Constipation
• Depression
• Slow heart rate
• Significant hair loss, including shedding body hair
• Weight gain, especially in the face, abdomen, and upper back
• High blood pressure
• Mood swings and anxiety
• Thin skin that bruises easily
• Muscle weakness
• Extreme and unexplained thirst
• Frequent urination
• Extreme and unexplained hunger
• Unexplained weight loss
• Vision changes, such as blurry vision
• Slow-healing wounds
• Excessive thirst
• Very clear urine
• Dehydration
• Electrolyte imbalances
• Menstrual cycle changes, such as irregular periods
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Hot flashes

Causes of Hormonal Imbalances

Some common causes of hormone imbalance include the following.

Low Testosterone

Low testosterone may be caused by medical conditions such as:

Low Thyroid

Thyroid hormone is produced by your thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in your throat. It produces thyroid hormone in response to the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by your pituitary gland.

Problems with either your thyroid gland or pituitary gland may cause low thyroid hormone. Some of the potential causes include:

High Cortisol

High levels of cortisol may be caused by:

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system attacks healthy beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin.

The exact reason this occurs isn’t clear, but some people seem to have a genetic predisposition. The lifetime risk of developing type 1 diabetes is higher in people with a family history , although most people who have it don’t have any family members who do.

Diabetes Insipidus

Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems with the production of vasopressin or problems with how the kidneys respond to this hormone.

Potential causes include:

• Testicular injury or infection
• Pituitary gland disorders, such as non-cancerous tumors called adenomas
• Certain medications like opioids, cancer treatment drugs, and corticosteroids
• Obesity
• Genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome
• Lifestyle factors such as high alcohol consumption
• Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s disease)
• Iodine deficiency
• Radiation therapy
• Thyroid surgery
• Congenital thyroid disorders
• Chronic stress
• Non-cancerous tumors called pituitary adenomas
• Adrenal gland tumors
• Long-term use of medications called corticosteroids
• Damage to or tumors in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland
• Genetics
• Taking certain medications, such as lithium
• Chronic kidney disease

Risk Factors

The following risk factors may contribute to the development of hormonal disorders.

Low Testosterone

Potential factors that may contribute to low testosterone include:

Low Thyroid

Being female is a big risk factor for hypothyroidism. Others include:

High Cortisol

The main risk factors for Cushing syndrome are having a condition that requires the long-term use of corticosteroids, especially if they’re injected or taken orally, or having a tumor in either your pituitary or adrenal glands.

These tumors often occur for no known reason. Some underlying genetic diseases may increase your risk. For example, people with multiple endocrine neoplasia are at an increased risk of both adrenal and pituitary tumors.

Type 1 Diabetes

Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to obesity or a sedentary lifestyle, type 1 diabetes often develops with no known cause. Some, but not all, people have a family history.

Diabetes Insipidus

Risk factors for diabetes insipidus include:

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• Aging, as testosterone levels generally decrease with age
• Obesity
• Lifestyle habits, like not getting enough sleep or not eating a nutrient-rich diet
• Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or liver failure
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Family history of thyroid disease
• Autoimmune conditions
• Radiation exposure to your neck or head
• Undergoing recent brain or pituitary surgery
• Head trauma
• Certain genetic mutations
• Taking certain medications, like lithium
• Having a genetic disease that increases your risk of pituitary tumors

Diagnosing Hormonal Imbalances

A healthcare provider will typically diagnose a hormonal imbalance by reviewing your medical history, doing a physical examination, and ordering some lab tests.

Because hormones travel through your bloodstream, a blood test is the primary method of hormone testing for most hormones.

Other common diagnostic tests include:

• Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to detect tumors or gland abnormalities
• Saliva testing (for cortisol levels)
• Glucose tolerance tests (for diabetes)
• Urine tests

Treatment of Hormonal Imbalances

Treatment for hormonal imbalances involves restoring hormonal balance and managing your symptoms.

Treating Low Testosterone

One of the main ways doctors treat clinically low levels of testosterone is with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT is a form of hormone replacement therapy that replenishes testosterone levels with a synthetic version of the hormone. It may be administered through:

If lifestyle factors are contributing, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes like diet changes, weight loss , or more sleep.

Treating Low Thyroid

The main treatment for low thyroid is a medication taken orally called levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone).

Treating High Cortisol

Treatment for high cortisol may include:

Treating Type 1 Diabetes

The main treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin therapy, where you take a synthetic form of insulin to make up for the low amount produced by your body.

Regular blood sugar monitoring is also critical to make sure your blood sugar levels fall in a healthy range.

Treating Diabetes Insipidus

Treatment for diabetes insipidus may include:

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• Gels
• Injections
• Patches
• Reducing or tapering steroid medications, with a doctor’s guidance
• Surgery for adrenal or pituitary tumors
• Medications to control cortisol production
• Stress-management techniques
• Desmopressin , a synthetic version of vasopressin
• Managing fluid intake and electrolyte balance
• Treating the underlying cause, such as surgery to remove a tumor

Preventing Hormonal Imbalances

Some hormonal imbalances may be preventable, or at least somewhat preventable.

Low Testosterone

Low testosterone can have causes such as genetics that are outside your control. But you can still maximize your lifestyle habits to help support your testosterone levels by:

Low Thyroid

Hypothyroidism often develops due to factors outside of your control. Some steps you can take to prevent it or catch it early include:

Cushing Syndrome

You may be able to prevent high cortisol by:

If high cortisol levels are caused by an underlying medical condition, these techniques may not be entirely effective.

Type 1 Diabetes

There’s little to do to prevent type 1 diabetes. Getting screened by your healthcare provider regularly is important if you have a family history.

Diabetes Insipidus

Some steps you can take to prevent diabetes insipidus include:

10 Sources

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• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Avoiding steroid and drug abuse
• Managing stress
• Getting adequate sleep
• Eating a nutrient-rich diet
• Regularly getting screened if you have a family history
• Avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure
• Managing autoimmune or other underlying medical conditions
• Reducing stress with techniques like meditation, therapy, and breathing exercises
• Avoiding long-term steroid use (unless medically necessary)
• Eating a healthy diet
• Protecting yourself against head trauma, such as wearing a seatbelt when in a motor vehicle
• Monitoring changes to your urine production when taking new medications
• Seeking prompt medical attention any time you find yourself urinating an unusual amount
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