Small hormonal imbalances can be a big deal; that’s why hormone testing could be a game-changer for your health.

I know what it’s like to feel like something isn’t quite right with your body. It can be frustrating and exhausting to say the least. Afternoon crashes, happening almost every day, can weigh you down. Or feeling constantly on edge and emotional, especially when you can’t control the mood swings. 

There are also bad nights of sleep, zero motivation, odd weight fluctuations, nasty headaches… It’s not easy, and let me tell you, it’s not normal. 

If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms before, just know that you aren’t alone and there are ways you can get to the root of these types of issues. So don’t lose hope, it could be a simple fix, one that gets you back to your normal self again, and boosts your wellness for the better. 

Most of these issues can be caused by hormonal imbalances; even the smallest hormone problems can make you miserable. These symptoms are often misjudged or labeled as just exhaustion, not drinking enough water, stress or just being busy. 

Sure, those things can contribute, but rarely are they the sole reason for what you may be going through, especially if it sounds a whole lot like what you’re reading now. 

One thing that completely changed everything for me, helped me regain balance and feel back to normal, was getting my hormones tested. It’s really that simple, painless and delivers results that can help you take care of your body in the way it needs most. 

So, what exactly is hormone testing, and how does it work? I’ll give you all the details in this blog. We are in this together. 

Here’s What Hormone Testing Really Is

There are so many different hormones in your body, and they all play important roles that shouldn’t be overlooked. When something small is unbalanced, the whole system is out of whack — that's where those nasty and stubborn symptoms come into play. 

Here are some of the common hormones that could be the culprit behind how you’ve been feeling lately: 

• Testosterone: Supports muscle strength, mood, energy levels and libido in both men and women.

• Progesterone: A hormone that supports pregnancy and balances estrogen after ovulation.

• Estrogen: A primary female hormone that helps regulate your menstrual cycle and supports skin, bone and heart health. 

• Cortisol: This is your body’s main stress hormone that regulates energy, blood sugar and inflammation.

• FSH (Follicle-stimulating hormone): This hormone is released by the pituitary gland and stimulates egg growth. 

• LH (Luteinizing hormone): Stimulates testosterone production in males and kickstarts ovulation for women. 

• DHEA-S: This is an adrenal hormone that helps build and support estrogen and testosterone. 

There are more hormones, but these are the main ones that could be messing with you and setting your health off. 

Luckily, in this day and age, we have simple, easy ways to get insight into your hormone levels, so you can use a personalized plan. It’s always best to use a doctor, preferably a functional doctor, when taking these tests. Having a professional review the results and tell you which supplements and treatments you need is the key to seeing real results in your health.

Here are some of the most common hormone tests: 

• DUTCH Test

• Blood tests

• Saliva tests

• Thyroid panels 

• Urine tests

Your doctor will choose the tests best suited to your symptoms. The rest is a piece of cake. All you have to do is take the test and move forward with a treatment plan, and then you’ll see the huge shift in your health. 

When Should I Test?

It’s simple to kick things under the rug, especially when it comes to so-called “common” or “normal” health symptoms. Sometimes what you’re feeling may not be as normal as people make it seem. 

Most people get busy, brush off what they are feeling and don’t think they need to do anything that requires testing. But it’s really not that difficult at all; it’s easy and super effective. It could really change the way you live your life, for the better. 

Here are some symptoms that point to hormonal imbalances: 

• Rapid weight loss or gain

• Increased appetite and thirst

• Acne and puffy skin

• Hair thinning

• Brain fog and trouble focusing

• Excessive hair growth in certain areas

• Mood swings and anxiety

• Hot flashes

• Infertility

• Irregular or painful periods

• Insomnia and fatigue 

The list could go on, but I’m sure you get the gist. If a lot of things ring a bell for you, it may be time to think about getting hormone testing done. With simple steps, you can feel your best and improve your wellness more than you could imagine. 

Take a Wellness Approach

Functional doctors are fantastic to work with; they are all about taking the big picture into account and personalizing a plan for you and your body. They focus on wellness in a way that conventional doctors often overlook. 

Here are some steps you can take if you feel like your hormones may be imbalanced.

1. Don’t Panic

This is easier said than done, but it helps tremendously. When you recognize something’s wrong with your body, don’t add more stress to that. Try to stay calm and use calming routines throughout your day to support that. Having a solid, peaceful nighttime routine can do wonders and help you feel grounded. 

Click here to learn how to create an easy nighttime routine. Remember that everything will be okay and that you can find a solution.

2. Track Your Symptoms

Keeping track of which symptoms you’re experiencing and how often can be very helpful to your doctor. This can help them decide which tests are best for you and what you can do in the meantime to relieve some symptoms. 

Track these parts of your life:

• Headaches

• Sleep cycle

• Energy levels

• Menstrual cycle

• Stress and mental strain

This can be very useful in creating a plan to get you to a place where you do not have to worry about feeling the weight of these things anymore. 

3. Start Testing

Once you decide to test, it’s time to reach out to a functional doctor if you don’t already have one. It’s really nice to book an appointment and lay it all on the table. Tell them everything you’ve been experiencing and what you’re concerned about, and share what you’ve been tracking as well. From here, they can choose what tests are right for you and point you in the right direction with a plan.

4. Stay Consistent & Motivated

Once you send those tests out, it's easy to get impatient and stressed. Just remember that it’ll all be okay, and that no matter what shows up on your results, it can be fixed and you can feel back to normal, if not better. But it takes patience to wait for those results (mine took about 2 weeks to come in), to meet with your doctor to go over those results  and to feel the treatments truly changing your body. 

Make sure to keep up with those supplements and treatments, and eat clean and nourishing foods to support your journey. Click here to check out some healthy and wellness-boosting recipes. 

Forge Your Path to Wellness

Getting your hormones in check is a huge step in the right direction; it can improve so much of your health. Hopefully, by learning about hormone testing, you can see that taking care of your health is not as scary or confusing as you once thought; it can actually be empowering. 

If you want more health tips like this one, read the blogs below: 

• Why Blood Sugar Balance Matters

• Counting Your Macros

• Your Gut After Antibiotics

• Brain Fog: The Silent Killer

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