Do You Have Dysfunctional Hormones?
The endocrine system comprises of the glands that make our hormones.
The glands are the hypothalamus, thyroid, pituitary, pineal glands, adrenals, pancreas, thymus, ovaries in women and testes in men.
Hormones are chemical messengers that are carried through the blood stream to the appropriate cell so it can carry out it duty, i.
e.
telling the body to produce digestive enzymes to digest our food for example.
When the body is in balance, everything will work as it should and you will feel great, but there are times when things go off balance and that is when you may start experiencing symptoms.
Any one of the endocrine glands can malfunction causing all sorts of health challenges.
At this point, you may decide to visit your doctor or health practitioner.
So, when you do not feel your best and start experiencing recurrent health problems, how do you know what to look for and how do you know if it is a hormonal issue? Furthermore, what would cause your hormones to dysfunction? Firstly, let's take the thyroid gland.
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped-gland and is situated in the neck.
It is the largest of the endocrine glands.
It produces 3 hormones: TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone, T4 - thyroxine and T3 - trilodthyronine.
T3 and T4 together are called thyroid hormone or TH.
Thyroid disorders are very common particularly hypothyroid (low thyroid function) or hyperthyroid (an over active thyroid).
Some of the symptoms of low thyroid function include: intolerance to cold, dry skin, weight gain, low body temperature, loss of appetite, hair loss and muscle cramps.
If T4 production is impaired for any length of time, doctors will prescribe thyroxine.
Once you are on this, you are on it for life.
Iodine is essential for the production of T4, so you can opt to check this first if you are worried about having to take a drug substitute for the rest of your life.
Oestrogen dominance With so many artificial oestrogens (called xenoestrogens) in our food, water and environment not to mention the contraceptive pill, it is practically impossible to avoid them all no matter how careful we are.
Xenoestrogens play havoc in our bodies.
They mimic real hormones because they have the same molecular structure so our bodies accept them.
If you have any of the following: fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, weight gain, menopausal symptoms, PMS, menstrual irregularities and abnormal thyroid function, you may have hormonal dysfunction.
The good news is that you can have some control over what goes into your body to reduce the toxic load and give your endocrine system a well deserved break.
Here are some tips to get you started: - Buy organic food where possible or grow your own - Try and avoid food in plastic wrapping, its not always possible however - Use chemical free shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and skin care products - Avoid hormone medication unless it is absolutely necessary - Drink filtered water - When possible, use unbleached sanitary towels and if ordinary tampons are used, remember to take it out! Believe it or not, people do forget! Do these few things and your body will thank you.
The glands are the hypothalamus, thyroid, pituitary, pineal glands, adrenals, pancreas, thymus, ovaries in women and testes in men.
Hormones are chemical messengers that are carried through the blood stream to the appropriate cell so it can carry out it duty, i.
e.
telling the body to produce digestive enzymes to digest our food for example.
When the body is in balance, everything will work as it should and you will feel great, but there are times when things go off balance and that is when you may start experiencing symptoms.
Any one of the endocrine glands can malfunction causing all sorts of health challenges.
At this point, you may decide to visit your doctor or health practitioner.
So, when you do not feel your best and start experiencing recurrent health problems, how do you know what to look for and how do you know if it is a hormonal issue? Furthermore, what would cause your hormones to dysfunction? Firstly, let's take the thyroid gland.
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped-gland and is situated in the neck.
It is the largest of the endocrine glands.
It produces 3 hormones: TSH - thyroid stimulating hormone, T4 - thyroxine and T3 - trilodthyronine.
T3 and T4 together are called thyroid hormone or TH.
Thyroid disorders are very common particularly hypothyroid (low thyroid function) or hyperthyroid (an over active thyroid).
Some of the symptoms of low thyroid function include: intolerance to cold, dry skin, weight gain, low body temperature, loss of appetite, hair loss and muscle cramps.
If T4 production is impaired for any length of time, doctors will prescribe thyroxine.
Once you are on this, you are on it for life.
Iodine is essential for the production of T4, so you can opt to check this first if you are worried about having to take a drug substitute for the rest of your life.
Oestrogen dominance With so many artificial oestrogens (called xenoestrogens) in our food, water and environment not to mention the contraceptive pill, it is practically impossible to avoid them all no matter how careful we are.
Xenoestrogens play havoc in our bodies.
They mimic real hormones because they have the same molecular structure so our bodies accept them.
If you have any of the following: fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, weight gain, menopausal symptoms, PMS, menstrual irregularities and abnormal thyroid function, you may have hormonal dysfunction.
The good news is that you can have some control over what goes into your body to reduce the toxic load and give your endocrine system a well deserved break.
Here are some tips to get you started: - Buy organic food where possible or grow your own - Try and avoid food in plastic wrapping, its not always possible however - Use chemical free shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and skin care products - Avoid hormone medication unless it is absolutely necessary - Drink filtered water - When possible, use unbleached sanitary towels and if ordinary tampons are used, remember to take it out! Believe it or not, people do forget! Do these few things and your body will thank you.
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