How do I know if my hormones are out of balance?

Hormones play a crucial role in regulating many of the body's functions, from mood and energy levels to metabolism and reproductive health. When hormones fall out of balance, it can affect your overall well-being in noticeable and sometimes confusing ways. If you’ve been feeling off but aren’t sure why, understanding the signs of hormone imbalance and knowing how to test for it can help you take control of your health.

Hormone testing kits

Common Symptoms That Suggest Hormones are out of Balance

Hormonal imbalances can manifest differently depending on which hormones are affected. Some symptoms are subtle, while others can significantly disrupt daily life. Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:

• Unexplained weight changes

Sudden weight gain or loss without changes in diet or exercise can indicate issues with thyroid hormones, insulin, or cortisol.

• Fatigue and low energy

Persistent tiredness despite adequate rest may be linked to imbalances in thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones, or sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

• Mood swings and irritability

Fluctuations in mood, anxiety, or depression can result from imbalanced estrogen, progesterone, or cortisol levels.

• Sleep disturbances

Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can be related to imbalances in melatonin, cortisol, or sex hormones.

• Changes in skin and hair

Dry skin, hair thinning, or excessive hair growth in unusual areas can signal hormone issues, especially involving androgens or thyroid hormones.

• Irregular menstrual cycles or fertility problems

Women may notice missed periods, heavy bleeding, or difficulty conceiving due to imbalances in estrogen, progesterone, or luteinizing hormone.

• Hot flashes and night sweats

Common during menopause, these symptoms are linked to fluctuating estrogen levels.

• Digestive issues

Hormones like cortisol influence digestion, so imbalances may cause bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

If you recognize several of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to explore hormone testing to understand what might be causing them.

How Hormone Testing Can Help

Testing your hormone levels provides a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body. It helps identify which hormones are out of balance and guides care plan decisions. There are several testing options available, each with its benefits and limitations.

Blood Tests

Blood tests are the most common method for measuring hormone levels. They can assess thyroid hormones, sex hormones, cortisol, insulin, and others.

• Pros: Widely available, reliable for many hormones

• Cons: Some hormones fluctuate throughout the day, so timing matters; may require fasting or specific timing

  
  

Saliva Tests

Saliva testing measures free hormones that are biologically active. It is often used for sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, as well as cortisol.

• Pros: Non-invasive, can be done at home, good for tracking daily hormone fluctuations

• Cons: Less reliable for some hormones, may be affected by contamination

  
  

Urine Tests

Urine hormone testing can measure hormone metabolites and provide a comprehensive view of hormone production and breakdown. It is useful for assessing adrenal and sex hormones.

• Pros: Provides detailed hormone metabolism info, can be done at home

• Cons: Requires 24-hour collection for best results, less common

Other Tests

For many hormonal concerns, there are underlying causes and stressors that are leading to the hormonal imbalance in the first place. Looking deeper into gut health, liver health, stress, etc., can provide answers moving forward into how to best support the body in healing.

Choosing the Right Test

At The Wellness Way Fargo, we believe a combination of tests gives the most complete picture. We often pair blood testing with urine testing to get a complete picture of what is really going on.

For more information on testing options and how to prepare, visit our Comprehensive Lab Testing page.

Understanding Your Test Results

Depending on what your lab testing reveals, your provider will come up with a plan that includes diet, lifestyle, and supplement/herbal recommendations to help support the body in healing.

Some common hormone imbalances include:

• Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism from abnormal thyroid hormone levels

• Estrogen dominance or low estrogen causing menstrual and mood symptoms

• Low testosterone affecting energy, mood, and muscle mass

• High cortisol linked to stress and fatigue

  
  

How We Support Your Hormone Health Journey

We offer comprehensive hormone testing and personalized support to help you understand your hormone health and support the body in healing. Our services include:

• Comprehensive lab testing to identify areas of dysfunction

• Personalized care plans utilizing diet, lifestyle, and supplement/herb recommendations to support the body in healing

• Chiropractic care to support the nervous system

  
  

Explore Our Approach to learn more about how we can help.

Pricing for Hormone Testing

We do not believe in one-size-fits-all approaches or protocols. All of our care is dependent on your history and what you need. If you want to learn more about our pricing, please visit our pricing page- Pricing

Our clinic is located in Fargo, ND but we can see patients virtually across the U.S.