Hormones are the chemical messengers in the body that travel the bloodstream to the organs and tissues. They slowly work and affect many of the body's processes over time. Endocrine glands, which are special groups of cells, make hormones. There are many endocrine glands in the body with the main ones being the pituitary gland, thyroid, thymus, adrenal glands, and the pancreas. Hormones are dominant and it only requires a small amount of them to cause significant changes throughout the body. Both men and women produce hormones in the same areas with one exception. Additional male hormones are produced in the testes while women's are produced in the ovaries.When our hormones are working properly and in the right combinations, life is good. However, those same hormones that keep us happy and healthy can also cause emotional and physical distress if they are not in balance. Optimal hormone balance is critical to our physical and emotional well-being, as well as long-term protection against age-related concerns such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Hormone testing is a valuable tool for achieving optimal hormone balance, as well as for maintaining that balance once it is achieved. The right balance of hormones is important for women of all ages.
To understand the hormones properly we should know that
1) Hormones have a profound effect on our everyday health and well-being.
2) Although present in only tiny amounts, hormones act on every cell of our body.
3) Hormones have individual effects, but also interact with each other to produce dramatic effects in the body; because of these interactions, they are able to trigger multiple body systems.
4) When any of the hormones are imbalanced, symptoms may occur. Imbalances are most common in puberty and menopause, but imbalances can happen at any age.
5) Several conditions are well known to be associated with hormonal imbalances including: polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, breast disease, and menstrual irregularities.
6) If hormone imbalance is left untreated it can result in serious medical conditions like diabetes.
Hormones exist in a very delicate balance, and are just one aspect of the many complex relationships present among our bodies nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. In addition, various factors such as diet, low blood sugar, stress, and sleep deficit can significantly affect both the function of the receptors and the levels of the plasma binding proteins, which subsequently affect the accuracy of hormone level measurements. As such, the accuracy of hormone testing is dependent upon many factors, some of which are within our control and some of which are not.
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