Hormones play a crucial role in regulating numerous bodily functions, from metabolism and growth to reproduction and mood. Maintaining hormonal balance is essential for optimal health and well-being.

At Therapy Nutrition, we understand the intricate connections between hormones, nutrition, and lifestyle, and we're here to help you achieve hormonal harmony.

Key hormones and their roles

1. Insulin

• Produced by: Pancreas

• Function: insulin regulates blood glucose levels by allowing cells to absorb glucose for energy or store it as glycogen in the liver.

• Dysfunction: insulin imbalance can lead to diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce insulin, while in Type 2, cells could become resistant to it and the pancreas struggles to produce enough insulin over time.

• Symptoms: excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow healing wounds.

• Test: Hba1c blood test

2. Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4)

• Produced by: Thyroid gland

• Function: thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, heart rate, and body temperature. They influence how the body uses energy.

• Dysfunction: hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) can cause fatigue, weight gain, and cold intolerance. Hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone) can lead to weight loss, anxiety, and heat intolerance.

• Symptoms: unusual weight changes, fatigue, mood swings, dry skin, hair loss, and irregular heartbeat.

• Test: blood test TSH, free T4, free T3, rT3, anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies, and anti-thyroid globulin antibodies.

3. Cortisol

• Produced by: Adrenal glands

• Function: known as the "stress hormone," cortisol helps the body respond to stress, regulates metabolism, reduces inflammation, and controls blood sugar.

• Dysfunction: chronically high cortisol levels due to prolonged stress can lead to anxiety, insomnia, weight gain, and immune system suppression. Low cortisol levels (as in Addison's disease) can cause fatigue and low blood pressure.

• Symptoms: fatigue, mood swings, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, and weakened immune response.

• Test: saliva test, blood test or urinary free cortisol test.

4. Estrogen

• Produced by: ovaries (primarily), adrenal glands, and fat tissue

• Function: estrogen is crucial for reproductive health, regulating the menstrual cycle and influencing secondary sexual characteristics. It also affects bone density, cardiovascular health, and mood.

• Dysfunction: estrogen levels fluctuate naturally during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, and menopause, but imbalances can lead to irregular periods, osteoporosis, or increased risk of certain cancers.

• Symptoms: irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and weight gain.

• Test: oestrone, oestradiol, oestriol blood test

5. Progesterone

• Produced by: ovaries, adrenal glands, and placenta during pregnancy

• Function: progesterone prepares the uterus for pregnancy, supports early pregnancy, and works with estrogen to regulate the menstrual cycle.

• Dysfunction: low progesterone levels can result in menstrual irregularities, infertility, or symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

• Symptoms: anxiety, irritability, heavy or irregular menstrual periods, and difficulty sleeping.

• Test: serum progesterone (P4), 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) blood test

6. Testosterone

• Produced by: testes (in men) and ovaries and adrenal glands (in women)

• Function: testosterone is vital for libido, bone density, and muscle strength in both sexes and influences sperm production and secondary sexual characteristics in men.

• Dysfunction: low testosterone in men can lead to fatigue, reduced libido, and muscle weakness. High testosterone levels in women, as in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can cause excess facial hair and acne.

• Symptoms: low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, weight gain, and mood changes.

• Test: total testosterone, free testosterone, Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG) blood test.

7. Melatonin

• Produced by: pineal gland

• Function: melatonin regulates sleep-wake cycles by responding to darkness and signalling the body that it’s time to rest.

• Dysfunction: disruptions in melatonin production can lead to sleep disorders, especially with high exposure to artificial light at night.

• Symptoms: insomnia, irregular sleep patterns, and daytime fatigue.

• Test: serum melatonin blood test or saliva test

Supporting hormonal health

At Therapy Nutrition, we believe in addressing hormonal health through a comprehensive, personalised approach and considering factors such as:

1. Healthy diet: eating balanced meals rich in protein, healthy fats, fibre, and essential vitamins can stabilize blood sugar and provide the nutrients needed for hormone production.

2. Regular exercise: physical activity helps regulate insulin, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce stress, which benefits cortisol and other hormone levels.

3. Adequate sleep: quality of sleep is essential for melatonin production and overall hormonal balance.

4. Stress management: chronic stress can disrupt cortisol, thyroid, and reproductive hormone levels.

5. Avoid endocrine disruptors: chemicals found in certain plastics, pesticides, and cosmetics can interfere with hormones. Choose natural, organic, or BPA-free products when possible.

Whether you're dealing with thyroid issues, reproductive concerns, or insulin resistance remember, small changes in diet and lifestyle can have a significant impact on your hormonal health.

By taking a holistic view of your health and proceeding with the right blood tests, we can develop tailored strategies to optimise your hormonal balance and overall well-being.