Until something goes wrong, many people take their health for granted. One of the things that can go wrong and eventually take a tremendous toll on our physical and, in many cases, mental health is a hormonal imbalance. To appreciate how and why that is, we should probably familiarize ourselves with what hormones are and how the body produces and uses them.
What Are Hormones?
Hormones are chemical substances that support and regulate many functions in the body. Multiple glands within the endocrine system secrete hormones, including the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pineal glands. Additional hormone-secreting glands in the endocrine system include the testes in men, ovaries in women, and the pancreas. Once hormones enter the bloodstream, they travel to cells and surrounding tissues to help control various bodily functions, such as regulating blood sugar levels, blood pressure, growth and fertility, sex drive, metabolism, and sleep. And it does not end there.
According to data from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the teaching hospital and biomedical research facility of the famed Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, hormones also control and coordinate the body’s internal metabolism, energy levels, and response to injury, stress, and environmental factors. When the glands in the endocrine system secrete fewer hormones into the bloodstream, it can lead to individuals developing the following:
- Adrenal hormone deficiency, which can lead to Addison’s disease
- Antidiuretic hormone deficiency
- Estrogen deficiency
- Human growth hormone deficiency
- Insulin deficiency
- Progesterone deficiency
- Testosterone deficiency
- Thyroid hormone deficiency, which can give rise to hypothyroidism
How the Body Signals a Hormonal Imbalance
Because there are more than 50 known hormones in the body, the signs of a hormonal imbalance can vary depending on the type of imbalance someone has. It is also worth noting that while hormonal deficiencies are the most common, some people also struggle with having above-average hormone levels in their blood, which is also technically a hormonal imbalance. Bearing that in mind, if someone, for example, develops a hormonal imbalance that involves leptin, insulin, or human growth hormone (HGH) levels in their blood, it can interfere with their metabolism. Common signs of a poorly functioning metabolism can include the following:
- Chronic fatigue
- Dry, brittle skin
- Frequent headaches
- Hair loss
- Lack of mental clarity and focus
- Mood swings
When someone has an insulin imbalance, they may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, chronic hunger, blurred vision, headaches, and skin changes. And this is in addition to the symptoms related to a poorly functioning metabolism. Likewise, those with an HGH imbalance may experience, along with symptoms typical of a poorly functioning metabolism, weight gain, anxiety, depression, decreased libido, chronic fatigue, increased sensitivity to heat and cold, reduced muscle mass, decreased strength and stamina, osteogenesis imperfecta, and hypercholesterolemia.
Having too much or too little estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone, all of which are secreted by the testes, adrenal glands, and hypothalamus, can also trigger signs of a hormonal imbalance. In women, such signs can include infertility, vaginal atrophy and dryness, hirsutism, low energy, and loss of muscle and strength. In men, they can include low libido, erectile dysfunction (ED), obesity, and hair loss. Depression is also common among men and women with low or elevated estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone levels.
What Causes a Hormonal Imbalance?
When it comes to most hormonal imbalances, aging is often the culprit. Studies show that most men and women develop a hormonal imbalance of some kind in middle age. But other things can lead to hormonal imbalances, some of which include the following:
- Autoimmune conditions
- Chronic stress
- Endocrine gland injury
- Exposure to certain toxins, pollutants, herbicides, or pesticides
- Hormonal changes of puberty, pregnancy, and menopause
- Severe allergic reactions
- Steroids
- Tumors, growths, and adenomas
- Turner syndrome
What More People Should Know About Low HGH Levels
Available data shows that HGH levels naturally drop by an estimated 15% annually after age 30. Because of that, many men and women end up with an HGH deficiency by the time they are in their 40s. They can become deficient even sooner if they also have a health condition or are dealing with other factors that put them at risk of developing low HGH levels. When someone has low HGH, they struggle with not only symptoms typical of an HGH deficiency but also those associated with having low insulin, leptin, thyroid, and sex hormone levels. Fortunately, like these other hormonal imbalances, hormone replacement therapy can boost low HGH levels in one’s blood.
What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment regimen that entails using FDA-approved medications to boost low hormone levels in the blood. One of the medications physicians often prescribe to individuals struggling with low HGH levels is Sermorelin, which mimics the effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hormone produced in the hypothalamus that alerts the pituitary gland to release more HGH into the blood. Most people report experiencing improvements in sleep, energy levels, and mood within the first few weeks of starting Sermorelin. After 3 to 6 months, many say they notice improvements in muscle tone, fat loss, and skin appearance.
How Much Does Sermorelin Cost Each Month?
Several factors dictate how much Sermorelin costs per month. They include dosage, purchasing method, the pharmacy where the medication is purchased, and whether or not they have health insurance. That said, the average cost of a one-month supply of Sermorelin is between $200 and $400.
All in all, multiple things can give rise to a hormonal imbalance. But developing one is not the end of the world. Hormone replacement therapy and healthy lifestyle choices, such as exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep each night, maintaining a healthy weight, and consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, can get one’s hormone levels where they need to be.
