Healing HormonesEpisode 1

7 Hormone Producing Glands

• Ovaries - Estrogen, Progesterone

• Adrenals - Cortisol, Cortisone, DHEA, Pregnenolone, Testosterone

• Pancreas - Insulin and glucagon

• Thymus - T-cells, immune protection

• Thyroid - Thyroid, T3, T4,

• Pituitary - TSH, LH, FSH, regulates other hormones

• Pineal - Melatonin

It’s Like a SymphonyEverything has to be in Harmony

Overall Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance

• weight gain

• fatigue

• irritability

• symptoms of PMS

• sleep problems

• hot flashes

• migraines and other headaches

• problems with sex drive

Hormone Reserves

• Inherent ability to withstand demands such as

• grueling schedules

• stress

• trauma

• surgery

Things that Make You Go Out of Balance

• stress

• overwork

• environmental toxins

• genetic predisposition

• aging

• poor nutrition

• lifestyle choices

• irregular sleep patterns

• having kids

Everything is interrelated

• usually problems don’t just occur with one hormone

• you may experience a mix of symptoms

• sometimes it seems like you suddenly feel bad for no reason, remember your body has a bank account of energy that can get used up

• if you “fix” one thing, it may not all just fall into place

SymptomsNo, You’re not crazy!

Cortisol and Stress

• cortisol is necessary to respond to stress

• it raises blood sugar

• raises blood pressure

• governs immune function

Symptoms of too much Cortisol

• feeling racy, always in a hurry

• wired and tired

• can’t get to sleep or stay asleep

• emotional ups and downs

• muffin top

• sugar cravings

• skin problems

• rapid heartbeat

• memory lapses or easily distracted

• irregular menstrual cycles

Symptoms of Low Cortisol

• fatigue

• loss of stamina

• negative point of view

• cry easily

• stressed all the time, can’t cope

• low blood pressure

• catch every bug that comes by

• chronic allergies, asthma, immune imbalance

• muscle weakness especially around knee

• easy bruising

• thyroid symptoms get worse

Progesterone functions

• balances estrogen

• helps sleep

• raises body temperature

• soothes you via GABA receptors

• boosts metabolism

Symptoms of Progesterone• Agitation or PMS

• cyclical headaches

• painful or swollen breasts

• irregular periods

• really heavy periods

• bloating before period

• cysts - breasts, ovaries, uterus

• interrupted sleep

• itchy/restless legs at night

• poor coordination

• miscarriage in first trimester

Estrogen Functions

• build uterine lining during first half of menstrual cycle

• readies body for conception

• helps mood by adjusting serotonin

• keeps you juicy - including joints and vagina

• helps add fat to hips and breasts -

Excess Estrogen Symptoms

• bloating, puffy, water retention

• abnormal pap smears

• heavy bleeding or bleeding after menopause

• rapid weight gain

• increased breast size, tender

• fibroids

• endometriosis

• mood swings, PMS, depression

• anxiety

• migraines or other headaches

• insomnia

• brain fog

• gallbladder problems

Low Estrogen Symptoms• poor memory

• emotionally fragile

• depression

• wrinkles

• night sweats or hot flashes

• waking in the night

• overactive bladder

• droopy breasts

• bladder infections

• achey joints

• joint injuries

• loss of interest in exercise

• vaginal dryness

• dry everywhere

• painful sex

• low libido

Testosterone Functions

• masculine qualities

• assertiveness

• sense of well-being

• sense of belonging

• builds muscles, immune function, bone

Too much Testosterone• greasy skin

• too much hair in the wrong places

• acne

• thinning hair on head

• armpits darker

• skin tags

• weight gain

• unstable blood sugar

• depression

• irritable

• periods > 35 days apart

• ovarian cysts

• midcycle pain

• PCOS

Thyroid Functions• regulates metabolism

• body temperature

• energy level

• affects mood

• hair

• memory

Low Thyroid

• hair loss, including eyebrows and lashes

• dry skin

• dry hair

• thin brittle nails

• swollen ankles/fluid retention

• can’t lose weight

• high cholesterol

• constipation

• recurrent headaches

• decreased sweating

• muscles or joint aches

• tingling hands and feet

• cold intolerance

• slow speech

• tired

• slow thinking/can’t concentrate

• sluggish reaction/apathy

• enlarged thyroid

• depression

• menstrual problems