Hormones

What are hormones and how do they work?  I'll lightly discuss a few hormones the human body produces.  And, I'll clear up something I may have confused you on in Episode 2, Blood Sugar.

Music composed and performed by V. Karaitis

Transcript

Hey!  Thanks for listening!  I’m Chris Wagenti, and this is Who Gets It, Naturally.  Music was composed and performed by V. Karaitis.    I’m not selling anything, diagnosing anything,; offering any cures or replacing your doctor.  I’m just sharing my passion for natural products.  If you’re pregnant, please consult your doctor before trying anything new.  Everyone is different so you may need to tweak the recipes a bit to work for you.  Always start with the least amount of essential oils…you can always add, you can’t take away.  Remember, these remedies don’t last forever, you need to reapply as needed.  If you are allergic to any of the ingredients I use, please substitute for something you’re not allergic to.  Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean you can’t be allergic to it.

Before I jump into anything, I want to clarify something from the last episode, Blood Sugar.  I may have confused you…I sometimes think ahead of speaking, and assume you know what I’m talking about.  I mean, c’mon, can’t you read my mind?  :)  Your fasting blood sugar levels and non-fasting blood sugar levels differ, because, well, food supplies glucose, so once you’ve eaten, your glucose levels are elevated for several hours.  Fasting blood sugar levels, which means you haven’t eaten for at least 8 hours before the blood test,  should be between 70 and 125 milligrams per deciliter of blood to be considered within the normal range.  If your fasting blood sugar is over 126 mg/dL, you’re considered to have diabetes.  The normal range for non-fasting tests is 70 - 140 mg/dL.  If I’ve still confused you, please reach out. I’m more than happy to go over this with you.  Or, check with your health care professional, especially if you have symptoms.

One more thing before I dive into this episode, shout out to new listeners in San Diego, CA and Quincy, MA!  Welcome, and thanks for listening and downloading!

OK, I touched on this a bit in the last episode…hormones.  Usually, the first thing most people think about when they hear hormones is testosterone, estrogen, and probably progesterone.  Yes, they are hormones, but they aren’t the only ones, and they do a lot more than regulate reproductive stuff.  And, they aren’t gender specific.  Testosterone is thought of as a “male” hormone and estrogen and progesterone are thought of as “female” hormones.  Truth is, men and women need all 3 for their bodies to function properly.  I’ll explain in a bit.  First, what are hormones, and what do they do?  Well, trying to keep this as simple as possible, and going with the analogy used in the Blood Sugar episode, hormones are basically gatekeepers.  They send messages to all parts of your body to do all sorts of stuff, basically to function properly.  Some unlock doors, like insulin.  Some tell the body to produce another hormone.  Except for the three reproductive hormones I mentioned, (testosterone, estrogen and progesterone, which are part of the reproductive system and are produced in the gonads) hormones are created by the glands of the endocrine system, the adrenal glands, thyroid, parathyroid, pituitary gland, hypothalamus gland and the pancreas. 

According to the Endocrine Society’s website at https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function, QUOTE: “Hormones are are the body’s chemical messengers, sending signals into the bloodstream and tissues. Hormones work slowly, over time, and affect many different processes, including growth and development, metabolism – how your body gets energy from the foods you eat- sexual function, reproduction, and mood. When glands do not produce the right amount of hormones, diseases develop that can affect many aspects of life. 

Some factors that affect endocrine organs include puberty, aging, pregnancy, the environment, genetics and certain diseases and medications, including naturopathic medicine, herbal supplements, and prescription medicines such as opioids or steroids. Hormones are vital to your health and well-being.” END QUOTE

The Australian site, Health Direct, has a pretty simple explanation located at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hormonal-system-endocrine.  QUOTE:  "What is the hormonal system?

The hormonal system, also called the endocrine system, is a network of glands and organs in the body that produces hormones.

Several glands make hormones, including the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the parathyroid glands, the adrenal glands, the pancreas, ovaries and testes.

Each gland makes one or more hormones. Hormones are important for almost all cells in the body to work. They influence the metabolism, growth and many other functions. Some hormones influence almost all cells in the body. Others only influence a small number of cells in specific organs.

Some glands ‘talk to’ other glands, telling them to release particular hormones. For example, the pituitary gland releases hormones that tell the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries and the testes to release hormones.

How does the hormonal system work?

When a hormone is released from a gland, it travels in the bloodstream through the body. It passes by most cells, but eventually reaches its target.

When it reaches its target, it attaches to a particular type of cell, known as a receptor cell. The hormone then tells the receptor cell to do something. It can make cells grow faster, release another hormone, absorb sugar from the blood, withhold water from the kidneys, or one of many other important functions in the body.” END QUOTE

So, as you can see, hormones are pretty important.  There are over 50 hormones produced by the human body, including:

Estrogen - produced in the ovaries in women and in the testes in men.  It’s known for triggering puberty in women, and controlling female functions.  In men, it helps in the development of sperm and helps regulate male sex drive and erectile function.  In both sexes, too little estrogen promotes bone loss, fat around the belly and decreases sex drive.  Too much estrogen  in men can cause erectile dysfunction and gynecomastia, or enlarged breast tissue.  Too much estrogen in women can cause irregular periods, PMS and cervical cancer.  The following are some issues men and women can experience with too much estrogen: weight gain, breast tenderness, insomnia, mood swings, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, bloating, breast cysts, fibroids, infertility, blood clots, hair loss, hot flashes and dry skin. Let me say this here.  Yes, men have breasts, they just don’t develop like women’s do.  More men die of breast cancer than women because too many people label it as a women’s disease.  It’s not.  

Progesterone in women is released by the ovaries and basically triggers functions of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.  Too much progesterone can be  caused by ovarian cysts, non-viable pregnancies, a rare form of ovarian cancer, progesterone overproduction by the adrenal glands, adrenal cancer or congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).  Too little progesterone can be caused by toxemia, or preeclampsia, late in pregnancy, decreased function of ovaries, amenorrhea, ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Progesterone can also be manufactured.  Synthetic progesterones are called progestins.  Progestins can be used to aid in birth control, hormone replacement therapy, menstrual disorders, abnormal uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, or absence of menstruation, endometriosis and other issues of the female reproductive system. 

There are many side effects that can occur with progestin use including headaches, weight gain, fluid retention, tiredness, joint, muscle and bone pain, mood swings, and these are just less gross ones.  There’s quite a list of uncommon but potentially serious side effects that you should seek medical attention for including, but not limited to breast lumps, migraine headaches, severe dizziness, slow speech or difficulty speaking, weakness or numbness of limbs, absence of coordination, breathlessness, pounding heartbeat, sharp chest pain, leg swelling, blurred or loss of vision, uncontrollable shaking hands, seizures, stomach pain or swelling, depression, hives, skin rash, itchy skin, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs and hoarseness…and again, these are just the nicer ones.

You shouldn’t use progestins if you have a history of the following conditions, unless they are being used to treat the condition: liver tumors, genital cancer, breast cancer, severe arterial disease, and other unpleasant feminine issues I’m not comfortable getting into on this podcast. I’m starting to sound like an ad for pharmaceuticals.  

In men, progesterone is needed to produce testosterone, and is produced in the adrenal glands and testes.  

Low progesterone in males can cause low libido, hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, depression, gynecomastia, which is breast development in males, erectile dysfunction, impotence, bone loss and muscle loss.  Low progesterone levels in men can cause a higher risk of arthritis, osteoporosis, prostate cancer and prostatism, which is an obstruction of the bladder neck, typically associated with an enlarged prostate gland.  

Testosterone is produced in the adrenal glands and testes in men and the adrenal glands and ovaries in women.  

According to this article on Healthline.com, which can be found at https://www.healthline.com/health/facts-about-testosterone#uses, QUOTE:  “How is testosterone used in men and women?

Testosterone is responsible for many actions in the male body throughout a man’s life cycle. It helps the external and internal organs of a male fetus develop. This includes the male reproductive organs such as the penis and testicles. During puberty, testosterone is responsible for:

• growth spurts
• deepening of the voice
• growth of hair in the pubic region, face, and underarms

Testosterone is also associated with behaviors such as aggression and sexual drive. Men need testosterone to make sperm for reproduction.

In women, testosterone also contributes to a woman’s sex drive. It also helps to secrete hormones important in a woman’s menstrual cycle.

Testosterone also plays common roles for both sexes. For example, the hormone stimulates the body to make new red blood cells. Testosterone can also affect a man’s bone density, fat distribution, and muscle strength.

What are the symptoms and causes of low testosterone?

Low testosterone in men can cause many physical symptoms. It can also cause insulin resistance, which can contribute to diabetes. Examples of symptoms caused by low testosterone in men include:

• decreased sex drive
• erectile dysfunction
• higher percentage of stomach fat
• gynecomastia (development of breast tissue)
• infertility
• lack of body hair
• lack of deepening of the voice
• low muscle mass
• slowed growth of the testicles or penis

A boy will typically start puberty at around age 10. If this is delayed, low testosterone levels could be the cause. Possible causes of low testosterone in men include:

• chronic health conditions such as diabetes
• damage to the testes, such as from physical trauma, alcoholism, or viral illnesses
• genetic diseases, including Klinefelter, Kallman, or Prader-Willi syndromes
• hypothalamic disease or tumor
• pituitary disease or tumor
• testicular failure

Symptoms and causes of low testosterone in women

In women, low testosterone can result in:

• decreased sex drive
• infertility
• irregular or absence of menstrual periods, known as amenorrhea

Low testosterone in women can be caused by:

• long-term use of oral contraceptives
• old age
• ovarian failure or removal of both ovaries

In both genders, low testosterone levels can cause mood changes such as:

• lack of motivation
• depression
• difficulty concentrating
• problems with memory
• insomnia

What are the symptoms and causes of excess testosterone?

Having too much testosterone can also cause health problems.

Excess testosterone in males

In boys, undergoing early puberty, also called precocious puberty, can cause development of:

• facial hair
• deepening of the voice
• well-developed muscles
• growth of the sexual organs

Early puberty can be caused by tumors and a condition known as congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

Potential causes of excess testosterone in men include:

• congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• taking anabolic steroids
• tumors of the testicles or adrenal glands

Excess testosterone in women

In women, excess testosterone can cause a condition known as hirsutism. This causes a woman to develop body hair in a male fashion, including on the face. Virilization is another condition caused by excess testosterone. This causes a woman to have a masculine appearance. Symptoms can include male pattern baldness and a deep voice.

Ovary or adrenal gland tumors and polycystic ovarian syndrome are potential causes.

Taking certain medications can increase testosterone levels in both men and women. Examples of these medications include:

• anticonvulsants
• barbiturates
• clomiphene
• estrogen therapy

Talk to your doctor before you stop taking any medications.

How do testosterone levels change with age?

A man’s testosterone levels will typically peak somewhere between age 20 and 30. After this time, they will gradually decrease for the rest of his life. Testosterone levels are estimated to decrease by 1 percent annually after age 30 to 40. Therefore, lower testosterone levels are more common among older men. This explains some of the age-related changes in men, such as loss of muscle mass.

Women’s testosterone levels peak in their 20s and then begin to slowly decline. When a woman starts to experience menopause, her testosterone levels are half of what they were at their peak. A woman’s adrenal glands will make less testosterone during menopause. The ovaries will continue to produce testosterone after menopause but stop producing estrogen and progesterone. Most age-related changes in women are caused by a lack of estrogen and progesterone.

How are testosterone imbalances treated?

Treating the condition that is causing high or low testosterone levels can help restore levels. But it’s not always possible to find a cause of testosterone imbalances. Your doctor can prescribe testosterone replacement to correct low levels.

There are several treatments for hypogonadism or low testosterone. Examples include:

• topical gels
• patches
• injectable testosterone
• implantable testosterone

Both men and women may take testosterone therapy. A woman may take testosterone to improve sex drive and reduce sexual dysfunction. However, women must have an appropriate level of estrogen before treatment. This is because testosterone can affect a woman’s estrogen levels.

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can cause side effects, such as:

• acne
• breast tenderness or enlargement
• increased amount of red blood cells
• infertility
• small testicles
• swelling of the low extremities

You should have regular checkups with your doctor while undergoing TRT. This is to make sure your levels are increasing as they should.

Some older men with healthy testosterone levels take the supplement to increase strength and energy. But current research doesn’t support that testosterone supplements can provide these effects in men with healthy levels.”  END QUOTE

Ok, I just fed you a whole bunch of information that was scaled down a lot, and that was just for 3 different hormones.  I’ll touch on a few of the other more popular hormones next.  There’s a lot of information out there on hormones, well, there’s a lot of stuff they do…you can get lost in the research.  If you do suspect a hormone imbalance, get tested to narrow down the playing field.  I’ll get into more on that in a bit.  Now, let’s highlight a few more hormones.

Insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, controls blood glucose levels, and helps the body turn blood glucose into energy.  As discussed in Episode 2, lack of insulin production can result in diabetes.  

Cortisol is produced in the adrenals and is known as the stress hormone, however, it does more than help you cope with stress.  Some of its other functions are blood sugar regulation, inflammation reduction, metabolism regulation and memory formulation.  Too much cortisol can cause a lot of issues such as: weight gain, mostly around the midsection and upper back; acne; thinning skin; easy bruising; slow healing; muscle weakness; irritability; fatigue; difficulty concentrating; high blood pressure; and headache.  Overproduction of cortisol can be caused by stress, pituitary gland issues, adrenal gland tumors and side effects from medications.

Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine, is the fight or flight hormone.  It’s what kicks in as you’re watching a horror movie.  It’s produced in the adrenal glands.  I like how www.healthdirect.gov.au/adrenaline puts it… QUOTE “Adrenaline makes your heart beat faster and your lungs breathe more efficiently. It causes your blood vessels to send more blood to your brain and muscles, increases your blood pressure, makes your brain more alert, and raises blood sugar levels to give you energy. Your pupils grow larger and you sweat. You don't feel as much pain, so you can keep running or fighting if needed, even if you are injured. These temporary effects on your body allow you to perform better during a stressful situation.” END QUOTE  So, basically, when you’re in a fight or flight situation, your body OD’s on adrenaline to get you through it, then when the perceived threat is gone, it takes about 20 minutes to come down off the adrenaline effects.  This can cause shaking, rapid heart beat, nausea.  I cry. 

Wait, hode on there, Skippy….did you just say adrenaline and epinephrine are the same thing?  Why, yes I did.  Kinda makes sense, doesn’t it?  If you’re having an asthma attack, it’s nice to know that Epipen they’re shooting into your leg will be able to clear your lungs so you can breathe, right?

Did you know that melatonin is a hormone?  It’s produced in the pineal gland, and regulates your circadian rhythms, or your body’s internal clock, and helps your body control day-night sleep patterns. Serotonin, the feel good hormone, is actually produced in the intestines and the brain.  It controls your mood, and works with melatonin to help control when you sleep and wake up.  It’s also responsible for how you feel pain, your wellbeing and your sexual desire.  Things that make you go, huh.

Your thyroid turns iodine into two very important hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). They control things like your weight, determine your energy levels, influence your internal temperature, skin, hair and nail growth…among other things. 

Ok, that was 7 more hormones.  I just briefly gave you very basic information on 10 of the 50 or so hormones your body produces, and I’ve been talking for about 20 minutes.  This is a deep well, if you’re up for some light reading!   

Some common hormonal problems are:

• diabetes
• thyroid problems, such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism
• Cushing's syndrome
• some fertility problems
• congenital adrenal hyperplasia
• PMS
• Getting Hangry
• Insomnia
• Irritability

To find out your hormone levels, your blood, urine and saliva can be tested.  This isn’t something you can have done on your own…you do need a physician’s request for testing, even though you get test kits to complete at home.  I’ve had all 3 tested, and I feel like the tests done with my saliva were more comprehensive.  Ok, a little on the gross side, but it’s not like you have to sit in public spitting into a plastic tube.  You can do that at home.  And, you learn lots of different ways to make yourself produce more saliva quickly, like seeing how far back on the roof of your mouth you can stretch your tongue to touch the tip of it with. 

My hormones have been all over the place…probably the main reason I’m such a hot mess.  Believe me, when you start fixing the real problem, you notice a big difference.  I’m still tweaking and adjusting, but there’s a huge difference in how I feel now and how I felt 20 years ago.  Not just one or two of my hormones were out of whack, most of them were.  I’ve done all sorts of things to try to balance them out.  I’ve been on bioidentical hormones (which did help), changed my diet, took supplements, and I’m still experimenting to find the right combination to get things back to normal.  As you fix one issue, adjustments need to be made to move on to the next.  Another reason a journal is such a good idea!  And, as the articles I’ve quoted above stated, it’s a slow process.  It takes time to get your hormones at the proper levels, and then it takes a lot of tweaking to maintain them.  Now, it has been a while since I’ve sent my spit for testing, so the physician requirement may have changed, but I doubt it.  Once you get the results, you know where to start.  Now, the glands not producing enough of their hormones can indicate a serious health issue, ruling that out should be the first priority.  Work with your medical provider to rule out as much as you can before you start playing, let’s try this and see how it works.  

As always, If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to email me at vobyjypsee@usa.com … You can follow me on X and Instagram … @vobyjypsee; or LinkedIn…search either Chris Wagenti, Who Gets It, Naturally or Voice Overs by Jypsee.  Please download this episode, and make Who Gets It, Naturally a favorite on your preferred channel so you don’t miss an episode.

You can buy me a coffee or get a membership at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vobyjypsee4.  Thanks for your support and for listening!  The next episode will be published on Friday, February 16.