Feeling grouchy, hungry or lethargic? Your hormones could be to blame
We all have them, but hormones affect our bodies in myriad ways – from puberty to menopause, hunger and happiness.
Hormones. They’re the mysterious chemical messengers that somehow have the ability to control our emotions, our growth, metabolism, and reproduction.
While most of us probably associate the idea of hormones with puberty, fertility or menopause, they are actually active throughout our lives.
The hormone system, also called the endocrine system, is made up of several organs and glands located around the body that secrete hormones
“Hormones are substances that our body produces to help organs communicate — they’re like chemical messengers,” Jean Hailes endocrinologist Dr Yvonne Chow explains.
The human body is home to around 50 different hormones – here are five that are important for health.
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Oestrogen
Produced by the ovaries and essential to reproductive health, most women know that oestrogen is a sex hormone.
But what’s also important is how oestrogen plays a significant role in osteo-health.
As women age, and experience menopause, oestrogen decreases.
After menopause, lower oestrogen levels increase the risk of osteoporosis with government figures estimating 23 per cent of women over 50 have the condition.
“We have oestrogen receptors everywhere – in our brain, breasts, reproductive tract, skin and bones so it has effects throughout our body,” Dr Chow says.
“That’s why, when women go through menopause and oestrogen levels are lower, they experience wide ranging symptoms.”
If menstrual cycles are regular, your body will generally produce enough oestrogen.
During menopause, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended.
Progesterone
Progesterone is produced when ovulation occurs each month.
It helps thicken the lining of the womb ready for when an egg is fertilised.
When that doesn’t happen, we stop producing progesterone and the lining of the uterus is released during our period.
Thyroid
The thyroid is a bow-shaped gland at the front of our neck that produces thyroid hormone, which helps body and brain development, energy levels and metabolism.
Too much thyroid hormone causes hyperthyroidism, while too little leads to hypothyroidism. Both diseases are more common in women than men, Dr Chow says.
“Women with hypothyroidism can feel their heart racing and they can become anxious, sweaty, and have difficulty sleeping,” Dr Chow says.
“Women with a lack of thyroid hormone feel sluggish and cold, gain weight and have dry skin.”
According to the Australian Thyroid Foundation, more than one million Australians have an undiagnosed thyroid disorder that is treatable with medication.
Insulin
Produced in the pancreas, insulin is the hormone that helps the body to process and transport glucose from our food through the blood stream.
Most people associate insulin with diabetes, but it also directly relates to people with polycystic ovarian syndrome and other weight issues.
These conditions come with insulin resistance, where the insulin in the body does not adequately process the glucose, and so symptoms like fatigue, weight gain and mood disorders can be present.
It’s released into our when we eat and helps transport glucose from food to cells where it is used as energy.
Diabetes Australia says there are 1.8 million people with diabetes in the country, including some who don’t know they have the disorder.
For those with type 1 diabetes, insulin injections are necessary to live, but for those with type 2 and other conditions that cause insulin resistance, medications can be used to help the body process sugar properly.
For those at risk of type 2 diabetes, Dr. Chow explains that lifestyle changes are great preventative measures.
“You can reduce your risk of insulin resistance by maintaining a healthy weight, being physically active, eating a balanced diet, managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels and not smoking,” Dr Chow says.
Ghrelin
Sometimes called the “hunger hormone”, ghrelin signals to our brain that we’re hungry.
It swings into action when our stomach is empty, making us want to eat.
The more ghrelin you produce, the hungrier you feel and the more you’ll eat.
So, it can have a significant impact on weight.
To try and control ghrelin, make sure you get enough sleep and eat a higher protein diet that helps reduce ghrelin levels.
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Written by Sarah Marinos.
