For those who are unfamiliar with a hormone imbalance, it is a condition characterized by having too much or not enough of a given hormone in the bloodstream. Because all hormones play a critical role in the body, even a slight imbalance can trigger a myriad of unpleasant symptoms. And those symptoms, not to mention their severity, can vary based on the type of imbalance an individual has developed.
The most common imbalances among men and women are those involving insulin, steroids, growth hormones, and adrenaline. Those that are specific to women include progesterone and estrogen hormone imbalances. It is worth noting that all hormones are secreted by one of eight glands in the endocrine system. From there, they move into the bloodstream and then travel to different organs and tissues in the body. After reaching these organs and tissue, the hormones will send signals to them that dictate what functions they must perform.
What Glands Make up the Endocrine System?
To better understand hormones and their role in the human body, it helps to know a little more about the eight glands that make up the endocrine system, which include the following:
Adrenal glands – These particular glands are located in the upper abdomen, directly above the kidneys. The adrenal glands are comprised of the cortex and medulla. The cortex is responsible for producing aldosterone and cortisol hormones. The medulla, meanwhile, is responsible for producing adrenaline and noradrenaline. These four hormones regulate and control metabolism, blood glucose levels, and blood pressure. That said, the following have can adversely affect the adrenal glands and cause a hormone imbalance:
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Hypertension
- Addison’s disease
- Adrenal cancer
Symptoms commonly associated with an imbalance involving the adrenal glands include
- Hypoglycemia
- Loss of appetite
- Low blood pressure
- Chronic fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
Gonads – Also known as testes in men or ovaries in women, the gonads are reproductive organs. However, because they secrete hormones, they also double as endocrine glands. A hormone imbalance that involves the gonads can stem from an autoimmune disorder, genetic disorder, or severe infection. Symptoms associated with a hormone imbalance involving the gonads in women, also known as hypogonadism, can include
- Changes in menstruation
- Hot flashes
- Reduced body hair
- Low libido
- Milky discharge from the breast
Conversely, symptoms of hypogonadism in men can include
- Erectile dysfunction
- Low sperm count
- Low libido
- Insomnia
- Reduced strength and muscle mass
Pineal gland – Sometimes referred to as the “third eye,” the pineal gland is a pea-shaped gland located deep in the center of the brain. The pineal gland secretes the hormone melatonin, which helps regulate sleep. Generally speaking, a hormone imbalance involving melatonin will lead to either extreme bouts of insomnia or hypersomnia.
Pituitary gland – Often referred to as the “master gland,” the pituitary gland secretes human growth hormones (HGH), also known as simply growth hormones, which are responsible for maintaining, building, and repairing healthy tissue in the brain as well as other organs. Human growth hormones also play a role in stimulating growth during childhood and adolescence. Common symptoms of a hormone imbalance involving human growth hormones typically include
- Weight gain
- Low libido
- Fatigue
- Profuse sweating
- Skin tags
- Flaky, dry, or thickened skin
- Anxiety
- Depression
In most cases, growth hormone deficiencies are a byproduct of aging. By age 30, for example, most individuals will notice a decline in their HGH levels. Excessive growth hormones, on the other hand, are, in most cases, caused by pituitary tumors.
Hypothalamus gland – Located above the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus is responsible for the secretion of the following hormones:
- Corticotrophin-releasing hormones
- Dopamine
- Growth hormone-releasing hormones
- Somatostatin
- Gonadotrophin-releasing hormones
- Thyrotropin-releasing hormones
All six of these hormones work in concert to promote homeostasis, which includes regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Common symptoms of a hormone imbalance involving the hypothalamus include
- Sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures
- Insomnia
- Low libido
- Chronic thirst
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
Thyroid gland – Located in the front of the neck, the thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland that secretes two hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Collectively, these hormones regulate the following:
- Metabolic rate
- Heart function
- Muscle and digestive function
These same hormones also contribute to brain development and maintaining bone health. A hormone imbalance involving either triiodothyronine, thyroxine, or both can result in the following symptoms:
- Chronic fatigue
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Muscle cramps
- Depression
Parathyroid gland – Located behind the thyroid and at the base of the neck, the Parathyroid gland is responsible for secreting parathyroid hormones. The primary role of these hormones is to regulate calcium levels in the bloodstream. A hormone imbalance involving the parathyroid gland is often brought on by kidney problems. Some of the more common symptoms of a parathyroid hormone imbalance include
- Frequent urination
- Abdominal pain
- Bone pain
- Joint pain
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
Pancreatic islets – Also known as islets of Langerhans, pancreatic islets are cells located in the pancreas, which are responsible for the secretion of glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide hormones. A hormone imbalance involving the pancreatic islets generally stem from diseases and disorders of the pancreas. Symptoms of a hormone imbalance involving pancreatic islets can include
- Back and abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Jaundice
- Abnormal growths in the abdomen
Best Hormone Replacement Therapy Clinics in Florida
If you have been experiencing any of the symptoms detailed in this article and suspect that you have a hormone imbalance and also live in Florida, there are many hormone replacement therapy (HRT) clinics that you can turn to for help. That said, some are arguably better than others. Some of the top-rated HRT clinics in Florida that specialize in bioidentical hormone therapy, based on Google reviews, include the following:
The Treasure Coast Institute for Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy
2181 SE Ocean Blvd
Stuart, FL 34996
772-247-2413
HGH Therapy Clinic
1150 NW 14th St #1317
Miami FL 33136
786-634-1199, website
HealthGains
2920 NE 207th St Suite 901
Aventura, FL 33180
305-707-0020
The Institute of Hormone Therapy and Weight Loss
13117 Spring Hill Dr
Spring Hill, FL 34609
352-415-9339
LA Health and Rejuvenation Hormone Therapy Centers
Please note, there are several of these HRT clinics interspersed throughout South Florida. Contact 888-763-4221 for a location near you.
Hormone Therapy of Orlando
155 Cranes Roost Blvd Suite 2020-A
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
407-910-1028
Bottom Line
In summary, the development of a hormone imbalance can affect one’s health and overall well-being in various ways. Fortunately, the HRT clinics mentioned in this article, not to mention many others throughout Florida, offer hormone replacement therapy, which involves the use of injectable hormone replacement drugs that can help return high or low hormone levels to a normal and healthy state.