The Important World of Hormones: Everything You Need to Know

Hormones are indispensable to life. Without these little chemical messengers, survival would be impossible. They are produced by various glands in our body, such as the thyroid, adrenal, and gonads and affect everything from our metabolism to our emotional well-being.

What Are Hormones?

Hormones are crucial for regulating numerous bodily functions. They help us stay alert, experience happiness, digest our food, and reproduce. Hormone deficiency can have serious consequences, such as fatigue, weight gain, and increased sensitivity to cold.

Main Hormones

There are more than 50 different hormones that affect almost all body processes. Some of the most influential are:

1. Sex hormones: such as testosterone and estradiol, which not only determine our physical characteristics and reproductive functions, but can also influence behavior.
2. Thyroid hormones: These regulate your energy balance.
3. Adrenal hormones: Adrenaline and cortisol, which help you cope with stress.
4. Growth hormone: Important for growth during childhood.
5. Hormones of the pituitary gland: Which control other hormone glands.

The symptoms caused by hormones

These powerful substances help us stay alert, experience feelings of happiness, digest our food, and reproduce. Hormone deficiency can lead to fatigue, weight gain, and increased sensitivity to cold.

A hormonal imbalance can cause a wide range of complaints and symptoms, depending on which hormones are out of balance and the severity of the imbalance. Here are some common symptoms that can arise:

1. Fatigue: Hormonal imbalance can lead to feelings of fatigue and exhaustion because hormones such as cortisol (the stress hormone), thyroid hormones and sex hormones play a role in regulating energy levels.
2. Weight changes: Changes in hormone levels can affect metabolism, leading to weight gain or weight loss, even with the same eating habits and physical activity.
3. Menstrual disorders: Hormonal imbalance can cause menstrual disorders, such as irregular menstrual cycles, excessive bleeding (menorrhagia) or, on the contrary, menstruation that is too light (hypomenorrhea).
4. Mood swings: Hormones affect neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood and emotions. A hormonal imbalance can lead to mood swings, irritability, anxiety and depression.
5. Sleep problems: Hormonal changes can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, or waking early.
6. Skin problems: Hormones play a role in the regulation of sebum production and cell renewal in the skin. A hormonal imbalance can lead to acne, oily skin, dryness, or other skin conditions.
7. Hair problems: Hormonal imbalance can cause hair loss, thinning hair, excessive hair growth in unwanted places (hirsutism) or changes in hair color.
8. Digestive problems: Hormones are involved in the regulation of digestion and can cause digestive problems such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating and stomach cramps when imbalanced.

Hormones during the stages of life

Sex hormone production begins as early as the womb and peaks during certain stages of life, such as puberty. As men age, testosterone production decreases, which can affect muscle strength and libido. Women experience a significant hormonal change during menopause, often accompanied by hot flashes and weight changes.

Hormones and health problems

An imbalance in hormones can lead to various health problems, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, and adrenal disorders. The production of hormones such as insulin is crucial for regulating our blood sugar levels. A disturbance in this can lead to serious consequences.

Testing Hormones: Blood and Saliva

At Bloodtesting.nl, you can easily get your hormones checked via blood or saliva tests. These tests are available without a doctor's referral and can help you detect and manage health problems early.

Blood tests: Measure various hormones such as cortisol, testosterone, and insulin. These are crucial for diagnosing conditions such as diabetes and thyroid problems.

Saliva tests: Offer a non-invasive way to test stress hormones such as cortisol and DHEA in particular. You can easily perform these tests at home:

• Large Hormone Profile Female Saliva Test
• Adrenal Stress Index Test - Cortisol DHEA from Saliva

Hormones through the Stages of Life

Sex hormone production begins as early as the womb and peaks during puberty. For example, as men age, testosterone production decreases, which can affect muscle strength and libido. Women experience significant hormonal changes during menopause, often with symptoms such as hot flashes and weight changes.

Future of Hormone Research

Intensive research is being conducted on hormones to discover new types and develop better treatments for hormone-related disorders. This research is crucial to improving our knowledge of how hormones interact within our bodies and how to better treat hormonal imbalances.

Hormones are crucial to almost all body processes, from metabolism to emotional stability. Blood Values Test offers several tests that can help diagnose and manage hormonal disorders.

1. Thyroid hormones (FT3, FT4)

These hormones are essential for metabolism and energy metabolism. Abnormalities may indicate hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

2. Testosterone

This important male sex hormone affects muscle building, bone density, and libido, among other things. Testosterone tests are useful for assessing hormonal imbalances.

3. Estradiol

A crucial female sex hormone that plays a role in reproductive health and is used in the evaluation of menopause and hormone therapy.

4. Progesterone

Important for fertility and regulating the menstrual cycle. Progesterone tests are relevant for women who want to evaluate their fertility.

5. Cortisol

Known as the "stress hormone," it plays a role in the body's metabolism and response to stress.

6. Insulin

Essential for regulation of blood sugar levels. Testing for insulin is important for diagnosing diabetes and insulin resistance.

7. DHEA-S

An androgen that contributes to the production of other sex hormones. The level of DHEA-S can provide insight into various hormonal functions and aging.

8. IGF-1

Related to growth factors and affects how the body grows and develops throughout life.

9. Prolactin

This hormone is important in the production of milk during breastfeeding and can be tested for problems with the pituitary gland or breastfeeding.

10. AMH (Anti-Müller Hormone).

Provides insight into a woman's fertility and can help assess ovarian reserve.