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Treating Sex Hormone Imbalances

Sex hormones are that are involved in the regulation of sexual development and reproduction. The primary sex hormones are estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Men and women have all of these, just in different amounts and ratios...

When men and women have low energy caused by an imbalance in their sex hormones, it is usually from different hormones. For men, it is usually due to a testosterone deficiency. For women, it is usually due to estrogen and/or progesterone imbalances.

Sex Hormones & Low Energy

The symptoms of menopause are no joke. They are incredibly uncomfortable and can change the quality of your life significantly. When a woman comes to me with menopausal symptoms, she is usually pretty desperate for relief. I use both natural and pharmaceutical therapies to get her that relief.

Treating Thyroid Disease

I am a big believer in natural medicine. It can be very powerful and work very well. I prefer to use it as long as the natural treatment is safe and strong. Unfortunately, when treating low thyroid, we usually need both the natural and the prescription treatments. In college, I learned from playing the card game euchre not to “send a boy to do a man’s job.” In medicine, this means using the treatment that you know will work. If I think a natural treatment will work, but I know that a medication will work, I should use the medication as long as there are no significant side effects. This is because I want to make sure you get results right away so that you can get your life back

Treating Thyroid Disease

Thyroid disease is one of the most common health problems we face today. The majority of people with thyroid dysfunction have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism (“hypo” means low) is a condition where the amount of thyroid hormone in your body is less than what is needed for optimal function. According to the American Thyroid Association, more than 12 percent of the US population will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetimes, and more than half will be unaware that they have a problem. Women are five to eight times as likely as men to develop thyroid problems.

Advanced Adrenal Recommendations

Last week, I went over the recommended supplements to treat Adrenal Fatigue. This week I’ll go over adrenal recommendations as well as a plan to reduce stressors.

Treating the physical symptoms is only the first step. Once you start to feel better, it’s important to begin addressing the causes of the problem: the sources of stress that compromised your adrenals in the first place.

Testing & Supplement Options for Adrenal Fatigue

Last week we discussed the main symptoms as well as the causes of adrenal fatigue. This week, I will focus on testing and supplement options for treatment.

If you have most of the symptoms listed last week, you probably have adrenal fatigue. However, how do we test for adrenal dysfunction?

How Adrenal Fatigue Causes Chronic Fatigue

This week I will discuss how adrenal fatigue is a primary cause of chronic fatigue.

It's estimated that up to 80% of adults experience adrenal fatigue during their lifetimes, yet it remains one of the most under-diagnosed illnesses in the United States. Conventional medicine does not yet recognize adrenal fatigue as a distinct syndrome

Food Allergies & Low Energy

Food allergies can cause almost any symptom the body can manifest, including low energy. The gastrointestinal tract maintains a delicate balance of good bacteria, specialized immune cells, and various neurological and hormonal activities. In fact, 80% of your immune system resides in your gut, so anything you put in your mouth can trigger a reaction. Once your digestive system detects what it considers a “foreign particle,” your immune system reacts, and the inflammation that follows creates pain and dysfunction.

Food and Your Energy

Food is a touchy subject, especially if you’re not feeling well. We have a lot of emotional attachments to it, and it can give us joy at times when nothing else can. However, food allergies play a significant role as a cause and contributor to fatigue and, as a doctor, I have seen amazing improvements in the health of my patients when they change their food choices.

Testing & Supplement Options for Adrenal Fatigue

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July 31, 2022•3 min read

Last week we discussed the main symptoms as well as the causes of adrenal fatigue. This week, I will focus on testing and supplement options for treatment.

Do you think you have adrenal fatigue?

If you have most of the symptoms listed last week, you probably have adrenal fatigue. However, how do we test for adrenal dysfunction? Good and reliable options include:

Blood values. I recommend testing your morning cortisol level (between 7 and 9 a.m. ideally) and DHEA-S.
Saliva testing. I recommend Hormone Saliva – ZRT test.
Urine testing. I recommend the Dutch test.

You can find these tests here.

Stages of Adrenal Fatigue

The progression of adrenal fatigue can be broken down into seven stages, with stage 7 being the most severe. Most people with adrenal fatigue seek treatment when they are between stage 2 and stage 5. Those in stages 6-7 produce virtually no cortisol.

Stage 1: Cortisol levels begin to rise, but DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) compensates; body still balanced so no obvious symptoms

Stage 2: Cortisol continues to rise, but DHEA is unable to compensate; body cannot keep up with stress; mild symptoms warn "trouble ahead"

Stage 3: High cortisol, low DHEA; anxiety and even “panic attacks”; this state uniquely marked by anxiety and exhaustion combined; insomnia common

Stage 4: Cortisol levels drop, DHEA remains low as the body’s hormone reserves have been exhausted; difficulty going to sleep and waking in the morning because cortisol levels are higher at night

Stage 5: Cortisol continues to drop, but DHEA rises temporarily because the body no longer attempts to adapt; extreme weakness and fatigue, possibly bedridden

Stage 6: DHEA levels above normal in the body's last gasp to protect itself before giving up completely; ACTH does not function, so cortisol does not respond; rare.

Stage 7: Complete adrenal failure; cortisol flat-lines; quite rare

There are many effective solutions to adrenal fatigue and it won’t take all that long to get your energy back, and unless you are severely fatigued, you won’t need a bunch of prescription meds to fix your adrenal glands.

Treating Adrenal Fatigue with Supplements

Some of my recommended supplement interventions for adrenal fatigue are:

1. DHEA

2. Eleuthero Root: An Adaptogenic herb

3. Adrenal Stress End

4. Licorice Root: It allows the cortisol produced by the adrenal cortex to last longer by inhibiting its conversion into cortisone.

5. Adrenal cortical extract: Helpful for those who are more sensitive to supplements.

6. Tyrosine: This amino acid stimulates the medulla (and the thyroid).

7. Vitamin B2: Very restorative to the adrenal gland

8. Vitamin B5: Very restorative to the adrenal gland

9. Chromium

Adaptogens

Adaptogenic herbs are excellent at helping the body adapt to stress. These herbs improve the signals between the brain and endocrine glands. If you are tired, adaptogenic herbs will increase your energy. If you are anxious and stimulated, these herbs will produce a calming effect.

Adaptogenic herbs include:

1. Ashwagandha

2. Asian ginseng

3. Astragalus

4. Eleuthero root

5. Rhodiola

6. Holy basil

If you react strongly and only need a small dose of supplements and medications for the desired effect, I recommend starting on adrenal cortex extract alone or chromium.

Adrenal agents last about 3 hours in the body, so divide your doses throughout the day. Take them in the morning, at noon, and at 3 p.m. The 3 p.m. dose is optional, depending on your energy needs later in the day. Don’t take any supplements after 4 p.m., because they can be stimulating enough to interfere with your sleep.

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Evan H. Hirsch, MD

Evan H. Hirsch, MD, (also known as the EnergyMD) is a world-renowned Energy expert, best-selling author and professional speaker. He is the creator of the EnergyMD Method, the science-backed and clinically proven 4 step process to increase energy naturally. Through his best-selling book, podcast, and international online telehealth programs that can be accessed from everywhere, he has helped thousands of people around the world increase their energy and happiness. He has been featured on TV, podcasts, and summits, and when he’s not at the office, you can find him singing musicals, dancing hip-hop, and playing basketball with his family.

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