Your endocrine system: Signs of a hormone imbalance

Overview: Your endocrine system releases hormones that travel through your bloodstream to keep your body functioning in harmony. But what happens when a hormone is out of balance? You develop symptoms that might signal an endocrine disorder.

Have you ever thought about how your endocrine system works for you? This busy system creates and releases more than 50 hormones, the chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream and tell your organs and tissues what to do.

Your hormones (sent by glands like the ovaries, pancreas, adrenal glands and thyroid) affect nearly every aspect of your health – from growth, metabolism and mood to reproduction, stress, sexual function and sleep.

So, what happens when some of these hormones get out of balance, underperform or overperform? That’s when you notice symptoms that may be caused by a medical condition like diabetes, a thyroid disorder, osteoporosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

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Signs you may have a hormone imbalance

Symptoms can vary depending on which gland or hormone is affected.

• Metabolism and weight: Unexplained weight gain (often around the midsection) or weight loss, persistent fatigue and extreme thirst or hunger.
• Skin and hair: Adult acne (especially around the jawline) thinning hair on the scalp and excessive body hair growth.
• Temperature sensitivity: Feeling unusually cold or hot regardless of the environment.
• Mood and sleep: Anxiety, irritability, depression, insomnia and “brain fog” or difficulty concentrating.
• Sexual health: Reduced libido, infertility, vaginal dryness in females and erectile dysfunction in men.

Common types of hormonal imbalances

• Diabetes and insulin resistance: Imbalances in insulin production or insulin resistance that affect how your body regulates blood sugar.
• Thyroid disorders: Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) causes fatigue, weight gain, cold sensitivity, and thinning hair while hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) causes weight loss and anxiety. A thyroid function test, which is done through a simple blood test, can be performed to determine if your symptoms are due to a thyroid imbalance.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A common condition in women causing irregular periods, infertility and high androgen levels.
• Adrenal imbalance: Chronic stress can lead to high cortisol levels, disrupting sleep and weight management.
• Menopause/perimenopause: A natural decline in estrogen and progesterone, often causing hot flashes and night sweats, along with fatigue, brain fog and decreased libido.
• Low testosterone: Primarily affects males, leading to loss of muscle mass and low libido.
• Osteoporosis: This condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle is commonly tied to hormonal changes, often as we age.

If you suspect you may have a hormone imbalance, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Your doctor can perform tests to check specific hormone levels and treat your disorder. If necessary, a referral to an endocrinologist may be needed.

Treating an endocrine disorder is not an overnight fix, but your doctor will work with you to understand the treatment process and set goals for improving your health so you can live your best life.

This blog was medically reviewed by a MercyOne provider.