Could Your "Hormone" Symptoms really be "Leaky Gut"?

Many times patients come in with complaints that they feel like their hormones are “off” and they “just know it is related to my hormones”.  Our office hears this multiple times a week.  Sometimes it really is related to their hormones (both men and women), but many times we have found this is not the case.  What we find is multiple “hormone-like” symptoms are really related to their gut health.  Yes, you read that correctly, gut health.

Below are symptoms that can be related to both hormone imbalance and impaired gut health or leaky gut. (This list is not all inclusive.  This is just a brief summary of many of the common symptoms)

• Acne
• Anxiety
• Arthritis/Joint Pain
• Abdominal cramping
• Bloating
• Depression/Depressed Moods
• Dry skin/hair
• Fatigue/Low Energy
• Hair Loss
• Headaches
• Hot Flashes
• Irritability
• Loss of Memory
• Low Sex Drive (low libido)
• Migraines
• Mood Swings
• Night Sweats
• Sleep Issues/Insomnia
• Weight gain

Other Hormone Symptoms: Bladder Symptoms, Breakthrough Bleeding/Spotting, Breast development (men), Breast tenderness, Fibrocystic Breast (women), Fluid Retention, Harder to reach climax, Heavy/Irregular Menses, Reduced Muscle Mass, Reduced Muscle Strength, Vaginal Dryness, & Weaker Erections

Other Gut Symptoms: Acid Reflux/Heartburn, Asthma, Constipation, Diarrhea, Digestive Issues (IBS), Gas (belching/flatulence), Seasonal Allergies, & Vomiting

So how do you know if you are having hormone imbalances or impaired gut health symptoms?
We recommend getting your hormone levels checked, in addition to a blood test that screens for leaky gut or impaired gut health integrity (this test is amazing and quite extensive).  We can evaluate these levels with a simple blood test in our office.
If you are already on hormone therapy and are fairly balanced and continue to have any of the above symptoms, it is highly recommended to get your gut health screened as well.

Once the results are back, we can decide what the next plan of action will be to help get you to your highest health. It may be something as simple as adding in a therapeutic grade of digestive enzymes to help restore the gut lining (usually with some diet modifications).  We carry a top of the line supplement in our office that has been proven to heal leaky gut. Or maybe you need glutathione supplementation to safely help the body detoxify and improve immune function. Glutathione is something we offer at our clinic and is amazing stuff.

Glutathione is one of the most important protective substances made in the body.  It is known as the “master antioxidant” of the body and can reduce free radical damage to the body caused by exposure to toxins.  It helps to detoxify the body and also can boost the immune system. It is used in Parkinson’s, macular degeneration, HIV, heavy metal toxin removal treatments, in addition to many, many other uses.

Call our office and get set up for an appointment to discuss symptoms and possible treatments today. P: 480.947.1545

Lindsey Szczepanski – Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
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