MEN’S HORMONES 101Hormones are chemical messengers in the body that help to control everything from blood pressure to the menstrual cycle. They are influenced by many things including stress, weight changes, dietary choices, and exercise. When their levels deviate from optimal, symptoms occur. Symptoms vary depending on the hormone imbalance (or imbalances) that is present. Luckily, hormone imbalances are easily identified through laboratory testing and can be addressed and reversed with resolution of their associated symptoms possible through lifestyle modifications, nutrition, and bioidentical hormones, when indicated.

ESTROGEN

Estrogen is often thought of as a female hormone, though men make estrogen too. Estrogen is essential for many function in the male body, including libido and erection. Too much estrogen can be seen due to a process called aromatization or in evolving or established insulin resistance (when the body struggles to maintain optimal blood sugar levels).

Estrogen imbalance can contribute to prostate concerns and resultant urinarydifficulties, abdominal weight gain and erectile dysfunction.

PROGESTERONE

Progesterone is also often thought of as a female hormone, though men make progesterone too. Progesterone serves to off-set the effects of estrogen and is beneficial to prostate, bone and brain health.

TESTOSTERONE

Testosterone is vital to many functions in the male body. Unfortunately, this important hormone starts declining at approximately age 30 for all men! Beyond libido, testosterone is important for bone health, musculoskeletal health, cognition, mood, and energy levels.

Testosterone imbalance may present as bone loss, difficulty building and maintainingmuscle, mood concerns, diminished personal drive and libido, weight concerns, bloodsugar dysregulation / insulin resistance, night sweats, erectile dysfunction and more.

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MEN’S HORMONES 101

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DHEA

DHEA is a hormone made in the adrenal glands. In women, DHEA’s main role is to serve as a “pro-hormone” - as it serves as the building block for testosterone (and also estrogen). DHEA naturally declines with age, and may be elevated with stress.

DHEA imbalance may influence memory concerns (especially during stress), pain levels,bone health and vitality.

CORTISOL

Cortisol is made in the adrenal glands and is the body’s main stress hormone. During stress (chronic or acute) the brain asks the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Together this system is known as the HPA axis. During chronic stress or increased stress, the system becomes dysregulated and results in altered cortisol output (too much, too little or altered secretion patterns). This is known as HPA axis dysregulation or what some refer to as “adrenal fatigue”.

Cortisol dysregulation may present as fatigue, pain, allergies, depression and mooddisturbances, weight concerns, irritability, increased stress, and a harder timeresponding to stress. Cortisol dysregulation is associated with many conditionsincluding: chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, PTSD and more

THYROID

Thyroid hormone helps to set metabolism, regulate temperature, weight, growth, and energy levels. Unlike the steroid hormones above that are best measured in saliva, thyroid hormones must be measured in blood. Reference ranges for thyroid hormones vary by laboratory and usually include a wide reference range. In addition, many people are never given a full thyroid evaluation. These approaches may keep people with thyroid hormone imbalances from being properly diagnosed. An ideal thyroid evaluation looks at TSH, free T4 and free T3 at a minimum.

Thyroid hormone dysregulation may result in weight loss or gain, constipation ordiarrhea, bloating, anxiety or depression, dry skin, hot flashes or cold body temperature,and hair loss.

IS HORMONE IMBALANCE AFFECTING YOU?

MEN’S HORMONES 101Questioning if you have hormone imbalance? If you have any of the symptoms below, hormone

imbalance may be affecting you! Contact a hormone specialist today to have your hormones

accurately assessed and begin on your way to a symptom-free life!

Difficulty concentrating

Mood swings

Irritability or anxiety

Stress

Fatigue

Hot flashes / night sweats

Allergies

Erectile dysfunction

Low libido

Weight gain

Ringing in the ears

IBS / bowel habit changes

Brain fog / memory concerns

Bone loss

Joint / muscle pain

Thinning skin / hair

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Robyn Kutka, ND PDXND