What Are the Symptoms of Low Hormone Levels?

Symptoms of low hormone levels can affect anyone, although they occur more commonly among women and people over age 50. Fortunately, doctors often successfully treat symptoms of low hormone levels with prescription medications.

Types

• Low hormone levels often affect any of the hormones made by the body; some common types include low thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), low testosterone or estrogen, and low growth hormone.

Features

• Symptoms of low hormone levels depend on the type of hormone affected, and include fatigue and mood disorders; skin changes; digestive problems; abnormal menstrual cycles; abnormal weight gain or fat distribution; sexual dysfunction and infertility.

Identification

• Doctors diagnose symptoms of low hormone levels by interviewing the patient regarding symptoms and conducting a physical exam; blood tests to check quantitative hormone levels.

Causes

• Symptoms of low hormone levels often result from congenital disorders; pituitary gland disorders; nutritional deficiencies; pregnancy; older age; medications; and surgical procedures such as oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries).

Considerations

• People may develop symptoms of low hormone levels gradually, and babies and children often have symptoms that manifest less obviously than adults.

Treatments

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the standard treatment for symptoms of low hormone levels uses synthetic replacement hormones; doctors may order follow-up blood work to make sure hormone levels remain within a normal range.