Tired of Feeling Tired? 5 Signs of a Hormone Imbalance 

If you’re tired all the time and not sure why, your hormones may be to blame. Persistent fatigue is a common complaint among adults. While stress, poor sleep, and simply staying up too late may contribute, hormonal imbalances can also be an underlying cause.

Hormones regulate your metabolism, sleep, mood, appetite, and sexual function. When those levels shift due to menopause, low testosterone, thyroid dysfunction, or other issues, symptoms can start appearing gradually. 

At Doctors Weight Loss in Laguna Hills, California, we evaluate persistent fatigue through a comprehensive lens. This includes running tests to determine if you may benefit from hormone replacement therapy (HRT), so you can feel like yourself again.

To see how hormones might be affecting your energy, it helps to understand what a hormonal imbalance is — and what signs to watch for.

What is a hormonal imbalance?

Hormones are chemicals your endocrine system produces to communicate with your body. They travel through your bloodstream and carry messages to your thyroid and adrenal glands, pancreas, and other areas. 

When there’s too much or too little of a hormone or the signals aren’t firing, it can show up in various ways. Persistent fatigue is one of them.

5 signs of hormone-related fatigue 

If you feel tired all the time, watch for these accompanying symptoms. 

1. Ongoing fatigue, despite adequate sleep 

If you regularly sleep 7-9 hours a night and are still tired, it may be due to endocrine disruption. Potential contributing factors include perimenopause or menopause. These hormonal changes disrupt estrogen production, which can wreck your sleep. 

2. Thyroid dysfunction 

Your thyroid is a small gland at the front of your neck that controls your metabolism. If your weight fluctuates without a change in your diet or lifestyle, it could be due to a disrupted thyroid function. 

3. Mood changes or brain fog 

If you find yourself feeling more anxious or irritable than before, it could be related to your hormones. Estrogen fluctuations during perimenopause can affect women’s mood and emotions. Low testosterone levels affect men’s mood as well. 

4. Sleep disturbances 

Many people notice changes in sleep patterns as they get older. In particular, menopausal women may find it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. From night sweats to insomnia, hormonal changes can disrupt sleep. 

5. Changes in hair, skin, and libido 

Is your hair thinning, or does your skin feel drier? Are you experiencing a decreased sex drive? All of these are common symptoms of hormonal changes as you age. But there is help for both men and women. 

When to evaluate your hormones 

Not all fatigue stems from hormonal changes. Poor sleep, chronic stress, nutritional deficiencies, and certain medications can also contribute to low energy levels.

However, if fatigue persists for weeks or appears alongside any of these symptoms, it may be time to consider hormone testing.

Our team at Doctors Weight Loss in Laguna Hills, California, assesses your symptoms and medical history to determine if hormone therapy could be right for you. Schedule your appointment with us online today.