Did you know that the human body has over 50 hormones? When there’s a disparity between these chemical messengers, a range of symptoms can emerge, and they can impede the daily lives of those inflicted. Fortunately, functional medicine from our Toronto clinic can help with a personalized approach to health. 

Your unique hormone balance affects optimal wellness, especially since hormones dictate what our bodies need to do and when. It’s no wonder that hormones affect our brain health, energy levels, digestion, sexual health, reproduction, and more! Though the media tends to emphasize women’s health issues with hormones, truthfully, men also experience hormone irregularities, especially those linked to testosterone. 

If you’re experiencing a wide variety of discomforts (i.e. brain fog, body aches, etc.) and you haven’t had luck alleviating them, our functional medicine health providers may be of assistance. Each body handles health concerns uniquely, and symptoms may manifest differently between patients. Thus, we can design a functional medicine-based comprehensive treatment plan for your exclusive symptoms and biological inadequacies. 

Suggested Reading: 7 Things You Didn’t Know About Gut Health: A Functional Medicine Toronto Fact List

In this article, we briefly discuss some of the symptoms caused by unsteady hormones, how functional tests work, and getting tailored treatments from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC). 

Symptoms potentially linked to hormone imbalances

Hormones impact numerous body systems, which means they affect fertility, sleep, mood, growth, and more. Hormones deficiencies may also manifest differently between people. Below, we highlight some symptoms that may be triggered by hormone deficits. Keep in mind, these symptoms can also be caused by other health concerns, and this depends on your biology. Males and females may also undergo different symptoms due to their differences in endocrine organs. Overall, we urge you to see your health providers if you have any concerns about your health condition and to rule out other underlying issues. 

Male hormone imbalance symptoms	Female hormone imbalance symptoms
Difficulties with getting and maintaining erections Low sex drive Poor cognition (lack of concentration) Loss of muscle mass and bone density Poor mental health (i.e. depression) Hair loss Inflammation Acne	Digestive issues (i.e. diarrhea or constipation) Irregular periods  Heavy periods Low sex drive Sleep troubles (i.e. insomnia) Abdominal pain (especially during your periods) Weight loss or weight gain Poor skin health An increase in hair Weak bones Inflammation Acne

Possible causes behind hormone irregularities

According to functional medicine wisdom, establishing the root cause of health issues can contribute to alleviating chronic symptoms, while potentially promoting chronic disease prevention. There are occasions where hormone balancing is disrupted by lifestyle factors. Sometimes the root cause may be from certain medical conditions (i.e. diabetes). Below, we list a few examples of why hormone imbalances may occur: 

• • Periods of life/aging: Puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, andropause, etc. 

• • Chemical exposures: Toxins from packaging, plastics, pesticides, and personal care products can disrupt the endocrine system. 

• • Chronic stress: Undergoing regular stress can alter “…the serum level of many hormones including glucocorticoids, catecholamines, growth hormone and prolactin,” confirms an Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism article. 

• • Nutritional deficiencies: Lacking certain nutrients, such as iodine, zinc, fatty acids, and iron, may not provide ideal support for the body systems, which can disturb hormone balancing.   

Of course, there are several other reasons why hormone imbalances would occur, and the causes stated above may or may not apply to you. In fact, these root causes are only the tip of the iceberg! Thus, consulting with your healthcare provider is vital for understanding your personal hormone health.

How we use functional medicine testing

At the TFMC, consultations to patients take place with a patient-centred, systems-oriented approach to health care. In order to pinpoint your hormone levels, we may recommend DUTCH testing  and or  traditional blood work . 

Sometimes results from conventional tests cannot provide the answers to some complex health concerns. A comprehensive snapshot of hormones from different times of the day can help functional medicine practitioners like us to analyze your inner workings; this helps us tailor a health plan suited for your wellness. 

This is why we may use the DUTCH test, which is a series of dried urine samples that helps us quantify which hormones are in excess or lacking. Testing may be conducted at different times of the day and in the convenience of your home. Various types of DUTCH tests are available for both male and female hormones, and these tests can also measure for organic acids, cortisol and other adrenal hormones. If you’re interested in getting this test conducted, please discuss this further by booking a consultation at the TFMC. 

Access our functional medicine therapies

Our private clinic is currently accepting new patients. We adhere to the integrative functional medicine model, which allows us to tailor therapies and dosages of some nutrients solely for your needs. Integrative medicine is also practiced, which means that patients can apply a wide range of treatment modalities to their health issues. Think of your treatment plan as a health care “toolbox”. By having different techniques available to treat your current symptoms, you can reach into this toolbox for different health “tools”. The TFMC offers naturopathic medicine, Western medicine, Chinese medicine, holistic nutrition, herbal medicines, acupuncture, hormone replacement therapies, and more. IV therapy is also offered in our exclusive IV Lounge as adjunctive support, with doses tailored under the functional medicine approach. 

Please contact us to become a new patient. Your clinical experience matters to us, so expect some hearty chats! To personalize your therapies, we must scrutinize your individuality; during your initial visit, we may ask about your upcoming health goals, medical history, genetics, lifestyle factors, chemical exposures, and more. Functional tests may also be recommended (i.e. the DUTCH test) to pinpoint your body’s quantities of hormones, nutrients, and more. 

How does your hormone balance measure up? Let’s find out! If you’re interested in customizing your health care with core tests, please reach out to the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre today. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

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“Hormonal Imbalance” from the Cleveland Clinic, reviewed April 4, 2022, viewed on January 23, 2024. 

Kumar P, Kumar N, Thakur DS, Patidar A. Male hypogonadism: Symptoms and treatment. J Adv Pharm Technol Res. 2010 Jul;1(3):297-301. doi: 10.4103/0110-5558.72420. PMID: 22247861; PMCID: PMC3255409.

Ranabir S, Reetu K. Stress and hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;15(1):18-22. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.77573. PMID: 21584161; PMCID: PMC3079864.

Roop, J.K. (2018) Hormone Imbalance—A Cause for Concern in Women. Research Journal of Life Sciences, Bioinformatics, Pharmaceuticals and Chemical, 4, 237-251.

“What to know about hormonal imbalances” from Medical News Today, medically reviewed by Erica Ramirez, PA-C — By Jennifer Huizen, updated on October 23, 2023, viewed on January 23, 2024.

Witchel, S.F., Teede, H.J. & Peña, A.S. Curtailing PCOS. Pediatr Res 87, 353–361 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-019-0615-1