Article by: MyWellnessbyNature.com
We know the importance of our hormone health, but at what point do you need to see a hormone specialist? Hormone imbalance can wreak havoc on your body, and without the knowledge of a hormone specialist, your primary care physician is more likely to misdiagnosis the symptoms you've been having for other illnesses or prescribe a medication that could likely make matters worse in the end. Hormonal imbalance is commonly misdiagnosed and mistreated by mainstream medicine. There is a natural solution.
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What is a hormone specialist?
A hormone specialist is a medical doctor specializing in diagnosing and treating conditions that are caused by or affect your hormones. The proper name for these doctors is an endocrinologist. They have specialized training in the endocrine system and can help diagnose, treat, and manage the illnesses that can arise when hormone imbalances or endocrine gland problems occur. A hormone specialist's main solution is hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Nonetheless, a hormone replacement specialist may also recommend various lifestyle interventions to balance hormones, such as dietary changes, supplements, and wellness plans. So how do they differ from a regular primary care physician? The endocrine system is so complicated that most primary care doctors will not have the tools or training to address it.
How to spot a hormone imbalance
It is normal for hormones to fluctuate throughout different stages of life. For example, women experience hormone changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy & menopause. However, sometimes these changes happen in the body incorrectly. A common misconception about hormone imbalance is that it only affects women. This is certainly not true! Here is what men & women should watch out for as they may be a sign of hormonal imbalance:
Women may experience:
Night sweats or hot flashes
Low libido
Mood swings
Trouble sleeping
Depression or
Soreness in breasts
Inflammation in the body or joints
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Weight gain or loss
Thin hair or hair loss
Long-lasting fatigue
Men may experience:
Cognitive decline
Depression
Erectile dysfunction
Fatigue
Hair loss
Loss of muscle mass
Low sex drive
Memory loss
Weight gain
Common misdiagnosis for hormone imbalance
Even if your general doctor provided answers, you may want to consider the perspective of a hormone specialist as a second opinion. With the stigma around mental health issues, most would prefer to attribute anxiety, mood changes, mental fog, and depression to just a ‘phase’ rather than a true medical condition associated with hormonal imbalance. This is the most misdiagnosed symptom that could be fixed by checking hormone levels. Antidepressants can have numerous side effects, from nausea and irritability to sexual dysfunction and homicidal or suicidal thoughts so it's important to know if hormones may be to blame! In men, Erectile dysfunction is often brushed off & the doctor will prescribe a pill without getting to the root cause of why it's happening. In both men and women, swelling of the joints & in the body is caused by fluctuating hormones and is often diagnosed incorrectly. You know your body better than anyone, so it's important to get a second opinion. If you feel you're being misdiagnosed, our specialists can help!
What to expect from a visit to a hormone doctor
Hormone specialists start by learning a patient’s family history, medical conditions, dietary habits, medications, and existing symptoms. Blood and urine samples may be taken to monitor hormone levels in the body. Blood tests can indicate thyroid, cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone levels, so if any of them present a higher or lower amount, you can receive the appropriate treatments, therapies, or supplements. It’s important to treat the underlying causes of your symptoms since your body needs these vital hormones for overall health and well-being.
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Take the first step by taking our hormone self-assesment quiz. for yourself or your partner. Bioidentical hormone optimization may be the answer you've been looking for if you want to safely & naturally help with menopause symptoms & hormone imbalance.