A hormonal imbalance occurs when certain hormone levels are too high or too low. Depending on which hormone is high or low, an imbalance can cause a number of different problems.
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More than 50 hormones have been identified in the human body, and each has a unique function. Your hormones are chemicals produced by endocrine glands that travel throughout your body and target certain tissues.
A hormonal imbalance occurs when certain hormone levels are too high or too low. Depending on which hormone is high or low, an imbalance can cause a number of different problems.
Keep reading to learn more about the types of hormonal imbalances in men, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
It’s possible for any of the body’s many hormones to get out of balance. But some of the most common hormone imbalances in men include:
Low thyroid (hypothyroidism)
High cortisol (Cushing syndrome)
Type 1 diabetes
Diabetes insipidus
Hormonal changes can cause many problems throughout your body. The symptoms you develop may depend on which hormone level is too high or too low.
Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men, also called an androgen. Signs of hormonal imbalance linked to low testosterone may include:
Fatigue
Trouble building muscle
Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
Erectile dysfunction or other problems with sexual function
Changes in body hair growth
Reduced bone density
Infertility
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland is underactive, producing too little thyroid hormone. Symptoms can include:
Fatigue
Low energy levels
Weight gain
Cold intolerance
Dry skin
Constipation
Depression
Slow heart rate
Significant hair loss, including shedding body hair
Hypothyroidism is more common in women, but it affects roughly 3 percent of young men aged 18 to 24 and 16 percent of men over 74.
It’s even less common for men to develop hyperthyroidism, where thyroid hormone levels aretoo high. High levels of thyroid hormone can cause a rapid heart rate, trouble sleeping, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and other health concerns.
Cortisol is often nicknamed the “stress” hormone because your body produces more of it in times of physical or mental stress. Cortisol helps make energy more readily available to help you deal with stressors, but elevated levels of cortisol for an extended period can cause problems.
Symptoms of high cortisol levels, called Cushing syndrome, may include the following in men:
Weight gain, especially in the face, abdomen, and upper back
High blood pressure
Mood swings and anxiety
Thin skin that bruises easily
Muscle weakness
Type 1 diabetes (medically known as diabetes mellitus type 1) occurs when your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that produce the hormone insulin, resulting in an imbalance. This may cause:
Extreme and unexplained thirst
Frequent urination
Extreme and unexplained hunger
Fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Vision changes, such as blurry vision
Slow-healing wounds
Most often, symptoms of type 1 diabetes start in childhood or around puberty.
In contrast, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can’t use insulin properly and your blood sugar levels rise. Type 2 diabetes often develops later in life due to insulin resistance, which is associated with having excess body fat.
Despite sounding similar to type 1 diabetes, diabetes insipidus is a separate condition. There are two main categories: central diabetes insipidus, caused by a problem with the production or secretion of vasopressin, sometimes called the “antidiuretic hormone”, and peripheral diabetes insipidus, caused by a problem with the way your kidneys respond to vasopressin. Fluctuations in this hormone may cause excessive urine production.
The main signs and symptoms of diabetes insipidus include:
Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Very clear urine
Dehydration
Electrolyte imbalances
In addition to the hormones above, women can also develop imbalances in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. Low progesterone or estrogen levels may cause additional problems, such as:
Menstrual cycle changes, such as irregular periods
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Hot flashes
Perhaps surprisingly, men can also develop imbalances in estrogen and progesterone. While these hormones are higher in women, they play an essential role in many aspects of male health, including fertility and the development of sperm.
Some common causes of hormone imbalance include the following.
Low testosterone may be caused by medical conditions such as:
Testicular injury or infection
Pituitary gland disorders, such as non-cancerous tumors called adenomas
Certain medications like opioids, cancer treatment drugs, and corticosteroids
Obesity
Genetic diseases such as Klinefelter syndrome
Lifestyle factors such as high alcohol consumption
Thyroid hormone is produced by your thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in your throat. It produces thyroid hormone in response to the release of thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by your pituitary gland.
Problems with either your thyroid gland or pituitary gland may cause low thyroid hormone. Some of the potential causes include:
Autoimmune disease (Hashimoto’s disease)
Iodine deficiency
Radiation therapy
Thyroid surgery
Congenital thyroid disorders
High levels of cortisol may be caused by:
Chronic stress
Non-cancerous tumors called pituitary adenomas
Adrenal gland tumors
Long-term use of medications called corticosteroids
Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction in which the immune system attacks healthy beta cells in the pancreas, which produce insulin.
The exact reason this occurs isn’t clear, but some people seem to have a genetic predisposition. The lifetime risk of developing type 1 diabetes is higher in people with a family history, although most people who have it don’t have any family members who do.
Diabetes insipidus is caused by problems with the production of vasopressin or problems with how the kidneys respond to this hormone.
Potential causes include:
Damage to or tumors in your hypothalamus or pituitary gland
Genetics
Taking certain medications, such as lithium
Chronic kidney disease
The following risk factors may contribute to the development of hormonal disorders.
Potential factors that may contribute to low testosterone include:
Aging, as testosterone levels generally decrease with age
Obesity
Lifestyle habits, like not getting enough sleep or not eating a nutrient-rich diet
Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes or liver failure
Drug or alcohol abuse
Being female is a big risk factor for hypothyroidism. Others include:
Family history of thyroid disease
Autoimmune conditions
Radiation exposure to your neck or head
The main risk factors for Cushing syndrome are having a condition that requires the long-term use of corticosteroids, especially if they’re injected or taken orally, or having a tumor in either your pituitary or adrenal glands.
These tumors often occur for no known reason. Some underlying genetic diseases may increase your risk. For example, people with multiple endocrine neoplasia are at an increased risk of both adrenal and pituitary tumors.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is often linked to obesity or a sedentary lifestyle, type 1 diabetes often develops with no known cause. Some, but not all, people have a family history.
Risk factors for diabetes insipidus include:
Undergoing recent brain or pituitary surgery
Head trauma
Certain genetic mutations
Taking certain medications, like lithium
Having a genetic disease that increases your risk of pituitary tumors
A healthcare provider will typically diagnose a hormonal imbalance by reviewing your medical history, doing a physical examination, and ordering some lab tests.
Because hormones travel through your bloodstream, a blood test is the primary method of hormone testing for most hormones.
Other common diagnostic tests include:
Imaging tests, such as MRI or CT scans, to detect tumors or gland abnormalities
Saliva testing (for cortisol levels)
Glucose tolerance tests (for diabetes)
Urine tests
Treatment for hormonal imbalances involves restoring hormonal balance and managing your symptoms.
One of the main ways doctors treat clinically low levels of testosterone is with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). TRT is a form of hormone replacement therapy that replenishes testosterone levels with a synthetic version of the hormone. It may be administered through:
Gels
Injections
Patches
If lifestyle factors are contributing, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes like diet changes, weight loss, or more sleep.
The main treatment for low thyroid is a medication taken orally called levothyroxine (synthetic thyroid hormone).
Treatment for high cortisol may include:
Reducing or tapering steroid medications, with a doctor’s guidance
Surgery for adrenal or pituitary tumors
Medications to control cortisol production
Stress-management techniques
The main treatment for type 1 diabetes is insulin therapy, where you take a synthetic form of insulin to make up for the low amount produced by your body.
Regular blood sugar monitoring is also critical to make sure your blood sugar levels fall in a healthy range.
Treatment for diabetes insipidus may include:
Desmopressin, a synthetic version of vasopressin
Managing fluid intake and electrolyte balance
Treating the underlying cause, such as surgery to remove a tumor
Some hormonal imbalances may be preventable, or at least somewhat preventable.
Low testosterone can have causes such as genetics that are outside your control. But you can still maximize your lifestyle habits to help support your testosterone levels by:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising regularly
Avoiding steroid and drug abuse
Managing stress
Getting adequate sleep
Hypothyroidism often develops due to factors outside of your control. Some steps you can take to prevent it or catch it early include:
Regularly getting screened if you have a family history
Avoiding unnecessary radiation exposure
Managing autoimmune or other underlying medical conditions
You may be able to prevent high cortisol by:
Reducing stress with techniques like meditation, therapy, and breathing exercises
Getting adequate sleep
Avoiding long-term steroid use (unless medically necessary)
Exercising regularly
Eating a healthy diet
If high cortisol levels are caused by an underlying medical condition, these techniques may not be entirely effective.
There’s little to do to prevent type 1 diabetes. Getting screened by your healthcare provider regularly is important if you have a family history.
Some steps you can take to prevent diabetes insipidus include:
Protecting yourself against head trauma, such as wearing a seatbelt when in a motor vehicle
Monitoring changes to your urine production when taking new medications
Seeking prompt medical attention any time you find yourself urinating an unusual amount
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