The Link Between a Hormone Imbalance and Fatigue

Hormones are tiny but powerful chemicals. Made by your endocrine glands, these chemicals direct many vital body functions. Though your body only needs a small amount of hormones to make things happen, any slight change in production can send your body into disarray.

Though an imbalance in hormone levels may cause a wide range of symptoms, you may find fatigue one of the most troublesome.

At Central Clinic in Spring Hill, Florida, our family medicine expert, Dr. Poonam Malhotra, specializes in diagnosing and treating fatigue. Though fatigue is a symptom of many health problems, a hormone imbalance is one of the most common causes. 

Here, we want to share with you the link between hormone imbalance and fatigue. 

About your hormones

Hormones control and coordinate many of your body systems and functions, from your metabolism to your sleep cycle to your stress response. When in balance, your body runs and functions as you’d expect.

However, any fluctuation in hormone levels significantly affects how your body operates. Though there are conditions that affect hormone production, like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, a decrease in sex hormone production is a natural part of the aging process.

In women, production of estrogen and progesterone decline in the months and years leading up to menopause. In men, testosterone production also decreases as they get older, but usually at a slower rate than women.

Hormone imbalance and fatigue

Yes, your sex hormones support your reproductive health and drive your libido, but that’s not their only function. 

For women’s health, estrogen supports heart, brain, and urinary tract health and keeps blood cholesterol levels in check. Testosterone helps men maintain their muscle mass. Both of these sex hormones also support bone health and play a role in maintaining mood. 

When production of sex hormones decrease, you may experience a wide range of symptoms, including insomnia, mood changes, and weight gain. Fatigue is also a common symptom in men and women with declining sex hormone levels.

Your fatigue may be related to your inability to get a good night of rest or your mood changes. However, changes in sex hormone levels may affect production of other hormones. In women, a decrease in estrogen may lower production of thyroid hormones, which are the hormones that control metabolism and energy.

Low testosterone in men can lead to anemia, which is when the body is unable to make enough healthy red blood cells, decreasing the delivery of oxygen to your organs, tissues, and cells. 

Restoring balance and lifting fatigue

Though your hormone imbalance may be a normal part of your aging process, there’s no need to suffer from your symptoms, like fatigue. If we determine that hormones are responsible for your chronic exhaustion, we recommend hormone replacement therapy.

In addition to boosting your energy, hormone replacement therapy may ease your other symptoms, like your low libido and depressed mood. Hormone replacement therapy also benefits your bones and weight management. 

If you don’t feel refreshed after getting a good night of rest and physical or mental activities leave you exhausted, we can help. Call our office or request an appointment online today.