Types of Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones are substances created by the body's endocrine system, which is in charge of the delicate balance of functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction and the body's response to injury, stress and the environment. Hormone imbalance can occur for many reasons, including illness or exposure to external elements such as chemicals and pollution. Genetics also plays a role. As our bodies age, cells begin to break down as part of the normal aging process and hormone levels change.

Hormones

• Hormones are secreted from the thyroid, kidney, testes, ovaries, pancreas, thymus, pineal, hypothalamus, adrenal, parathyroid and pituitary glands. Some types of hormones are insulin, adrenaline, vasopressin, calcitonin, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4).
  Insulin manages how the body uses glucose and is created by the pancreas. Adrenaline is created by the adrenal glands and helps the body deal with stressful situations by increasing oxygen levels to the muscles and brain, plus suppressing nonessential functions such as digestion. Vasopressin comes from the hypothalamus and regulates electrolytes and blood pressure. The thyroid gland produces calcitonin, T3 and T4 hormones.

Insulin Imbalance

• The pancreas is in charge of insulin production and how it is used. If insulin is out of balance, diabetes can occur. Without the proper level of insulin the body cannot properly process the sugar it takes in. This serious illness can cause kidney failure, heart disease and blindness. Diabetes is a progressive disease that starts with a pre-diabetes level that exhibits no symptoms. Eventually, the body may stop producing insulin and must be treated with injections of this hormone.

Adrenaline Imbalance

• The ability of the body to respond to stress is affected by the adrenal glands and the hormones it produces. These glands provide emergency fuel the body needs in situations that require a quick response, such as running to safety or responding to an emergency. When the body is exposed to long-term and chronic stress, the adrenal glands begin to break down under the strain of having to respond frequently to a perceived threat. Some symptoms of this imbalance are allergies, inability to sleep properly, above-normal blood sugar levels, headaches, high blood pressure and fatigue.

Growth Hormone Imbalance

• The pituitary gland is also often referred to as the endocrine system's "master gland," producing the growth hormone that is responsible for promoting normal growth and development. Growth hormone deficiency can prevent normal height and body development. Excessive growth hormone, which is rare, causes gigantism in children and acromegaly in middle-aged adults.

Estrogen and Progesterone Imbalance

• Menorrhagia, which is a condition marked by unusually long menstrual periods, affects many women who have not reached menopause. Imbalances of estrogen and progesterone can affect the endometrium, which lines the uterus, during the menstrual cycle, causing a buildup that can lead to heavier than normal menstrual bleeding.

Vasopressin Imbalance

• Vasopressin regulates the body's electrolytes and how water is used and distributed throughout the body. The hypothalamus produces vasopressin, which then interacts with the pituitary gland to release its hormones. Vasopressin is antidiuretic, as it influences how much water is released by the kidneys into urine. Overproduction of vasopressin causes the body to withhold water, which results in below normal sodium levels that can cause fatigue, headache, muscle spasms and vomiting. Conversely, underproduction of vasopressin causes the body to release too much water. Sodium levels become high and can cause symptoms such as mental confusion and coma.

Thyroid Hormonal Imbalance

• The thyroid gland produces calcitonin, T3 and T4 hormones, which work together to regulate bone growth, metabolism, reproduction, and proper circulation and activity of the heart. Hypothyroidism is a condition in which these hormones are out of balance and causes depression, since the brain is also influenced. Skin becomes thicker and dry, fingernails and hair become brittle, and it can take longer for a wound to heal because circulation is not functioning properly.