Healthy Hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that facilitate communication between different parts of the body. They are produced by glands and organs, and travel through the bloodstream to send signals to targeted organs and tissues. Only tissues that have receptors for the hormone in question will respond to that hormone. Hormones are one of the main tools our body uses to create balance or ‘homeostasis’ in the body. Hormonal conditions can disrupt this balance, and cause illness.

At Juniper Family Health, our naturopaths treat a wide variety of hormone imbalances, including thyroid (e.g. hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism), cortisol (e.g. adrenal fatigue and elevated cortisol), and sex hormones (e.g. irregular periods, fertility concerns, perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause). With a detailed medical history and comprehensive laboratory testing, our naturopathic doctors can identify hormonal issues, and prescribe a customized natural program to rebalance your hormones.

Common Symptoms of Hormone Imbalance

• Hypothyroidism: Fatigue, weight gain, depression, cold hands and feet, dry skin, dry hair, hair loss, constipation, muscle aches and pains, irregular periods

• Hyperthyroidism: Racing heart, heart palpitations, anxiety, warm body temperature, weight loss, irregular periods

• Adrenal Fatigue: Fatigue, depression, low libido, shaky if a meal is missed, low blood pressure, dizziness, immune imbalance, inflammation

• Elevated Cortisol: Anxiety, insomnia, sugar cravings, weight gain, frequent colds/flus

• Progesterone Deficiency: PMS, breast tenderness, insomnia, anxiety, mood swings, infertility, heavy periods, spotting between periods or before periods, low libido

• Estrogen Deficiency: Hot flashes, night sweats, depression, vaginal dryness, pain with intercourse, frequent urinary tract infections, poor concentration/focus, low libido, fatigue, inflammation

• Estrogen Excess: PMS, heavy periods, uterine fibroid, uterine polyps, severe menstrual cramping, endometriosis, breast tenderness, premenstrual headaches, premenstrual bloating, weight gain or difficulty losing weight

• Testosterone Deficiency: Low mood, lack of motivation, low libido, muscle wasting

• Testosterone Excess: Acne, oily skin, facial hair growth, irregular periods, infertility

Laboratory Testing Offered by Naturopathic Doctors 

• Comprehensive Serum Thyroid Panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, Thyroid Antibodies)

• 4 Point Salivary Cortisol Testing

• Comprehensive Salivary Female & Male Hormone Panels

• Urine Hormone Metabolite Testing

• Serum Hormone Testing

Hormone Balancing Treatments Offered by Naturopathic Doctors 

• Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Herbal Medicine

• Vitamin & Mineral Therapy

• Acupuncture

• Lifestyle & Diet Recommendations