Let’s talk hormones

But not like MLM’s do. Geez, do they talk about it a lot, considering they aren’t endocrinologists.

I’m not an endocrinologist, either. Which is why from this short blog post, you will see me tell you to talk to your primary care physician to then be advised to get a blood panel completed and then possibly meet with an endocrinologist.

My husband had a full thyroidectomy November 2021. He had symptoms of allergies, but one tech decided to scan his throat. That’s when they noticed two small masses, one on each side of the thyroid. After the procedure, they tested those masses and found they were malignant. Another surprise, he had a different type of cancer on each side of his thyroid. How he did that, I have no idea, lol.

But since that time, it has been a roller coaster. We learned a lot about thyroid function and the endocrine system. We learned about weight loss and weight gain. We learned about his body and how it functions with synthesized thyroid hormone (i.e. levothyroxine), what to expect, etc. Again, it’s been a roller coaster. After almost three years, we are going down a more consistent path.

Okay… right now everyone talks about hormones. It’s a buzz word. Truthfully, it shouldn’t be a buzz word. Our hormones change over time. Especially for women, hormones change very regularly during our cycles and then when we approach menopause, experience menopause, and post menopause. I talk to a lot of women that share their experience with weight gain and food issues post-menopause. Because I am a woman with a very regular cycle, I don’t know how they are feeling, nor what they are experiencing.

During menopause, a woman’s estrogen (a sex hormone) and progesterone (regulates the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and sex differentiation) stop producing, which means a woman is no fertile. This normally occurs between ages 45 and 55 in a woman; of course, there can be exceptions. Most women who experience menopause complain about hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, incontinence, mood swings (to name a few). Also, women talk about their doctors recommending certain exercise routines and dietary needs. Their PCPs have told them such changes can help with easing symptoms of menopause and beyond. Again, I am not a doctor, but women who told me they have taken their doctors’ advice seriously seem to have a much easier time with menopause. So, there is something to be said about listening to a physician give you guidance about navigating such a huge change.

One MLM, BODi, has been promoting hormone health for a long time, trying to produce programs that can help a woman’s hormones. Other companies like Arbonne use their supplements to help with hormones and gut health. While it is important to take care of yourself and your hormones, you need to know what the hell that means.

Testosterone is a hormone, as well. Testosterone is produced in the testes (in men) and ovaries (in women). It produces mens’ characteristics. While women produce some testosterone, it is the main driver in men. Men can experience lower levels of testosterone, just as women can experience their estrogen levels being too low. Often, when this happens to men, they discuss feeling off or not like themselves, lower sex drive, loss of muscle mass, depression to name a few. If you have certain symptoms that concern you, men, talk to your doctor. See if they recommend a blood panel to help you figure out testosterone levels and next steps. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) isn’t a bad thing if you need it! Our bodies change over time. Just talk to your doctor about it.

Another favorite of mine has been cortisol. Okay, cortisol is produced in the body in the adrenal glands. It is as hormone that helps regulate stress. It is our body’s “fight or flight” sensor. Cortisol can be a VERY GOOD thing in stressful situations!! Though, some companies are promoting cortisol as a bad thing. Regular cortisol levels are good, we want these! If cortisol is too high for a longer period of time, it can have negative side effects. Yet, with learning tactics to help you with stress management, getting the sleep you need, and consuming whole natural foods most of the time, you can help with regulating cortisol levels. If something seems off, talk to your doctor! He/she can lead you down the path that is right for you to feel better.

Now I know these are three examples… and there is a lot more out there. But I wanted to touch on it a little because it seems people are using buzz words just to hook people to buy products, when really, a change in hormones is a sign to check on things and to find solutions if things feel off or bad.

As always, talk to your primary care physician/healthcare provider to establish YOUR best course of action.

— Ashley
10/13/2024