Rejuvenate Clinic
Hormone deficiencies occur when the body does not produce enough of a certain hormone. Some of the most common hormone deficiencies include:
Thyroid Hormone Deficiency
- The thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone (thyroxine). This causes hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms: fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin.
- It can be caused by Hashimoto's disease, inflammation of the thyroid, or thyroid removal surgery.
- Treatment involves taking thyroid hormone medication to bring levels back to normal.
Growth Hormone Deficiency
- The pituitary gland does not release enough growth hormone.
- Most common in children, leading to stunted growth.
- Symptoms include decreased muscle mass and poor growth velocity.
- It may require growth hormone injections to treat children and help them reach normal height.
Testosterone Deficiency
- Males do not produce enough testosterone, the key male sex hormone.
- Symptoms include low libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased bone mass, fatigue.
- It becomes more common as men age. Some younger men are born with it or develop it due to pituitary tumors, inflammation, etc.
- Testosterone replacement therapy can effectively treat it.
Estrogen Deficiency
- Perimenopause and menopause cause declining estrogen in middle-aged women. Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes occur.
- Younger women may develop low estrogen levels due to problems with the ovaries/pituitary gland. Amenorrhea can occur.
- Estrogen pills, creams, patches may help manage symptoms.
Diagnosing hormone issues involves blood tests that check hormone levels. If deficiency is found, hormone treatment can help restore optimal levels.