Hormone Imbalance Symptoms

Hormones are the tiny protein secretions that regulate growth and development in the body. These hormones are secreted by endocrine glands, present all over the body, each releasing different hormones for different purposes. However, if there is even a slight change in the secretion level or activity of the hormone, it can lead to disastrous effect on the entire body. This will lead to hormone imbalance symptoms and various diseases and disorders. Here are a few hormone imbalance symptoms

Human Growth Hormone
This is the hormone responsible for growth of the entire body. It deals with increasing the height of the individual up to late teenage by acting on bones. This is how an individual grows taller. Change in its secretion levels leads to symptoms of hormone imbalance. Read more on human growth hormone.

Over secretion: Over secretion of growth hormone can occur either during childhood or after adulthood. If it occurs during childhood it leads to excessive increase in height which is known as gigantism. The person may reach a height of up to seven feet or beyond, which is one of the main hormone imbalance symptoms seen associated with growth hormone. If there is over secretion of growth hormone after adulthood, it leads to an increase in the size of the head and an increase in the length of the limbs. Thus, a person looks disproportionately tall, with long limbs and a large head but a relatively small body.

Under secretion: Under secretion of the growth hormone may occur during childhood, which leads to dwarfism, where a person is extremely short and may reach a height of only four feet.

Thyroxine
This hormone is secreted by the thyroid gland. It is associated with the metabolism rate of the body and change in its levels of secretion can lead to serious symptoms of hormone imbalance.

Over secretion: Over secretion of this hormone leads to hyperthyroidism. Its hormone imbalance symptoms include excessive weight loss despite a voracious appetite, excessive sweating, insomnia, restlessness, palpitations, etc. Also, sometimes there is bulging of the eyes, which is called exophthalmos.

Under secretion: Under secretion of thyroxine is called hypothyroidism and it can occur in children as well as adults. When it occurs in children, it is called cretinism. Here, the baby is small with his skin having a yellowish tinge, the tongue protruding out, the belly may be large and these hormone imbalance symptoms may be accompanied by mental retardation. Under secretion in adults makes a person extremely lethargic, dull and fatigued. There is weight gain and the person feels cold easily. He may have drooping eyelids. Read more on hormones and weight gain.

Antidiuretic Hormone
This hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and it helps in water retention and prevents the urine from becoming too concentrated. Any hormonal imbalance can lead to changes in electrolyte balance in the body.

Over secretion: Over secretion of this hormone leads to very concentrated urine. There may be water retention seen to an extent that the face looks puffy.

Under secretion: Under secretion of this hormone leads to diabetes insipidus. It is a condition characterized by excessive thirst and passage of very dilute urine.

Insulin
This is the hormone which is secreted by the Islets of Langerhan cells in the pancreas.

Over secretion: Over secretion of insulin leads to decreased blood glucose levels, which may even send a person into an insulin shock. People with tendencies towards this often experience decreased blood glucose levels, which leads to dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. Such people need to carry chocolates or sweets with them as a precautionary measure.

Under secretion: Under secretion may occur due to destruction of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to insulin deficiency and type 1 diabetes.

Testosterone
This is a hormone most commonly found in males and is responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics.

Over secretion: Over secretion of this hormone leads to excessive development of secondary sexual characteristics like a very deep and husky voice, increased tendency towards baldness, excessive growth of facial hair, etc. It can also lead to serious female hormone imbalance symptoms, like, facial hair growth, acne, decrease in size of breasts, etc.

Under secretion: Under secretion of testosterone leads to decreased sex drive, impaired development of sexual characteristics.

Here were a few symptoms of hormone imbalance. A small change in levels of secretion can wreck havoc in the body. So it's best to be aware of hormone imbalance symptoms.