Naturopathic Hormone Support

Hormone imbalance is a non-specific and broad term; it is also not a diagnosis. Hormones are produced, used as signalling messengers and then broken down. All of the many hormones and their roles make up the endocrine system. Hormones work in relativity to one another and may impact one another, which is why often focusing on one hormone or hormone group may not necessarily help address the root cause of symptoms. There is a relativity that is considered from case to case versus just assessing the amount of a particular hormone being produced overall. Naturopathic medicine may be able to assess & support certain hormone-related conditions. Other more serious and life-threatening conditions need be treated with surgery and/or other conventional medical treatments.

There are a variety of factors that may play a role in hormone imbalance. We have our thyroid gland, which is responsible for producing our thyroid hormones upon signaling from our brain. We have our reproductive organs & pituitary gland which produce hormones: prolactin, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone and we have our stress hormones - cortisol & DHEA, which are both produced in the adrenal glands. Insulin is a hormone that may be impacted by and may inherently influence all of the above.

The above-listed hormones are only to name a few, but there are more hormones and breakdown products that all have a role and may provide insight into overall endocrine health. All hormones have metabolites (break-down products), which contribute to the larger map of hormone health.

Through research we are learning more about how and why lifestyle matters. Oxidative stress may influence inflammation and the role that it plays in hormone health. Inflammation may potentiate production of certain hormone metabolites that are known to be less protective than others. Can we measure oxidative stress related to hormones? Yes, one such marker is 8-OHdG which is a studied marker for oxidative stress.

So, how can we get more information on the types of hormones and metabolites being produced? Testing is sometimes recommended, if indicated. Some hormones & metabolites are best tested in the blood and some in the urine.

Like any other condition, testing may be helpful, however, may not always be necessary. Ask your Naturopathic doctor for more information on support for hormone-related symptoms and what is appropriate for you.

Dr. Nadia Mawji, ND

Calgary Naturopathic Doctor

**Any information provided in these posts are intended for information purposes only and not to be considered naturopathic medical advice. See your naturopathic doctor for individualized support & guidance