Hormones

Hormones are responsible for controlling and regulating our cells and organs. They run the show.

Knowing your hormone levels and using the right natural approaches to fit your body chemistry is a game changer.

Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA

These are your primary sex hormones and are responsible for sexual development and reproduction. They also influence bone health, mood/brain function, body weight, sleep, skin and hair health, metabolism, and cardiovascular health.

Cortisol

This is your primary stress hormone. Cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates how much sugar and fat gets stored in your body, and how much is released for fuel. It helps regulate metabolism, reduces inflammation caused by immune system reaction, helps memory, and balances your blood pressure. It affects every organ system in the body. If cortisol levels are not balanced, you can have Adrenal Dysfunction. There are phases of dysfunction depending on how long the body has been under stress. In early phases of dysfunction cortisol rises above normal levels. In later phases, the adrenals are overstimulated overtime and begin to underperform, producing very little cortisol.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) / Triiodothyronine (T3) / Thyroxine (T4)

These hormones regulate metabolic rate, controlling heart, muscle and digestive function, brain development and bone maintenance. Imbalanced thyroid hormones can lead to hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of hormone imbalances can overlap. Furthermore, excess estrogen can cause low thyroid function. Low thyroid function can make your more susceptible to the negative effects of stress.

Symptoms of Adrenal Dysfunction

  • Fatigue
  • Carb Cravings
  • Irritability
  • Poor Sleep
  • Weight Gain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Decreased Libido
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Digestive Issues
  • Stimulant Dependency
  • Difficulty Waking Up
  • Lightheadedness
  • Memory Issues
  • Body Temperature Issues
  • Hair Loss
  • Frequent Illness

Symptoms of Estrogen Dominance / Low Progesterone

  • Fatigue
  • Carb Cravings
  • Irritability
  • Poor Sleep
  • Weight Gain
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Decreased Libido
  • Headaches/Migraines
  • Digestive Issues
  • Irregular Periods
  • Fibrocystic Breasts
  • Thyroid Nodules
  • Hot Flashes
  • Fibroids
  • Infertility
  • Uterine Polyps

Symptoms of Thyroid Imbalances

Hypothyroidism
  • Fatigue
  • Weight Gain
  • Constipation
  • Forgetfulness
  • Depression
  • Dry Skin/Hair, Hair Loss
  • Slow Heart Rate
  • Feeling Cold
  • Irregular Periods (longer, heavier)
Hyperthyroidism
  • Weight loss
  • Increased Appetite
  • Fast Heart Rate
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Shaking
  • Feeling warm
  • Insomnia
  • Diarrhea
  • Irregular Periods (shorter, lighter)

What Causes These Imbalances?

Inflammation. Stress. After years of education, research, and counseling, I firmly believe most health imbalances exist predominantly due to inflammation and stress. Stress can create inflammation and inflammation can create stress.

What Causes Inflammation and Stress?

I can help you pinpoint the source of inflammation and stress and provide tools to help you reach your health goals.

· An unhealthy diet (excess sugar, processed foods, low levels of nutrients)
· Digestive issues, malabsorption issues
· Lack of exercise or over exercise
· Food sensitivities
· Emotional stress (anger, fear, guilt, shame, depression)
· Psychological stress, trauma
· Chronic pain, chronic infections, chronic illness
· Consumption of alcohol, drugs, certain medications, excessive caffeine intake, and exposure to toxins
· Surgery, injury
· Chronic fatigue, sleep disorders3

Hormone Balancing Health Solutions

The type of lab work I order is used to identify imbalances in your body that are root causes of your symptoms. Choose a Self-Starter Plan or Comprehensive Plan to determine which lab tests are right for you.

Adrenal Function Test -This saliva test determines how well your body is responding to stress by looking at your cortisol levels throughout the day. This will determine what type of intervention is necessary.

Hormone Testing – This saliva test determines your progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and DHEA levels allowing for tailored recommendations.

Food Sensitivity Test – I use this test as a tool to create a diet plan that is unique to your biochemistry and will pinpoint exactly which foods are creating an inflammatory response in your body.

Micronutrient Test – Micronutrients are cofactors integral to protein synthesis, cell proliferation, immunity, and anti-oxidation processes. For example, your body needs at least nine specific nutrients for your thyroid gland to produce T4 and T3 and then to activate your metabolic rate. Evaluating these nutritional parameters is crucial. This test can pinpoint vitamin, mineral, amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, as well as assess cellular absorption.

GI MAP Testing – Intestinal bacteria play a role in vitamin synthesis (vitamin K, folic acid, vitamin B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, and B12), digestion of dietary fibers, regulation of the immune response, and mental disorders. This test detects microbes that may be disturbing normal microbial balance or contributing to illness, as well as indicators of digestion, absorption, inflammation, and immune function, all from a single stool sample.

 

Note: I recommend a full Thyroid Panel should be completed with your physician. Insurance is likely to cover this lab work.  

Diet Prescription

This diet prescription is a general list of recommendations for this health concern. For a personalized diet prescription, Choose the Self-Starter Plan or Comprehensive Plan.
Eliminate the following:
  • Sugar and High-Fructose
  • Corn Syrup
  • Dairy
  • Red meat
  • Processed meat
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine
  • Refined Grains
  • Artificial Food Additives
  • Food Sensitivities
  • Gluten, Corn, Soy, Eggs, Grains, Nightshades (these can be bothersome to the thyroid, especially if autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s is diagnosed)
Add the following:
  • Vegetables (especially broccoli sprouts, cruciferous vegetables, seaweed, beets, onions, garlic)
  • Fruits (especially berries, lemons)
  • Nuts
  • Seeds (flaxseed)
  • Beans
  • Legumes
  • Fish (salmon, sardines)
  • Bone broth, Collagen
  • Dandelion Root Tea
  • Cacao

Supplement Prescription

This supplement prescription is a general list of recommendations for this health concern. For a personalized diet prescription, Choose the Self-Starter Plan or Comprehensive Plan.
  • Probiotics
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids
  • Vitamin D
  • Adrenal Supplements per test results – Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Melatonin, Phosphorylated Serine (for elevated cortisol), adrenal glandular and/or herbal adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Cordyceps, Ginseng, Holy Basil, Rhodiola, Schisandra, Mucuna, Maca)
  • Progesterone Cream per test results
  • Estrogen breakdown and detoxification + liver support (DIM, Sulforaphane, Calcium D-Glucarate, Milk Thistle)
  • Thyroid (magnesium, B12, Zinc, Iodine, B2, Vitamin C, Selenium, Vitamin D, Vitamin A)

Which Wellness Action Plan is for me....

SELF-STARTER
PLAN

Order your own test and get results & recommendations emailed straight to your email inbox.

COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN

As a full-service client, you will have your own personal Functional Nutrition Practitioner at your fingertips.

SUPPLEMENT
VIP PLAN

This plan will tell you exactly what supplements you need and what supplements you do not need. Included in Self-Starter and Comprehensive Plans.

Choose the plan that’s right for you.

Contact Rachelle

Not sure which plan is right for you? Let’s talk it over. Book a free 15-minute consultation or email me with questions.

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