Hormonal imbalances in the ovaries can impact a women’s emotional, physical, and reproductive health. The ovaries produce key hormones like estradiol (estrogen), progesterone, and testosterone, which regulate menstrual cycle, mood, metabolism, and more. When these hormone levels are out of balance or not optimal, a wide range of symptoms can appear:

• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

• Mood swings and irritability

• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

• Metabolic Dysfunction

• Irregular or missed periods

• Hormonal acne (especially around the jawline)

• Water retention and bloating

• Menstrual migraines and headaches

• Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

• Perimenopause and menopause related changes

These symptoms may be signs of estrogen dominance, low progesterone, or underlying conditions like PCOS. Identifying and treating the root cause of ovarian hormone imbalance can improve overall well-being.

In Naturopathic Medicine, comprehensive hormone testing allows us to gain insight into the root causes of your imbalances and allows us to create personalized treatment plans.

Your adrenal glands play a crucial role in managing stress, metabolism, and energy levels. When adrenal hormones such as cortisol and DHEA become imbalanced due to chronic stress or burnout, a wide range of symptoms like the following can appear:

• Chronic fatigue, exhaustion, or low energy

• Persistent stress, anxiety, or feeling “wired but tired”

• Insomnia (difficulty falling asleep or waking during the night)

• Insulin resistance and unexplained weight gain

• Sluggish metabolism

• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating

These symptoms may be signs of adrenal fatigue, chronic stress, and cortisol imbalance, all of which affects how your body responds to stress and how your body adapts to stress.

Improving adrenal function through naturopathic treatments, lifestyle changes, and supplementation can help support your body’s stress response, boost energy, and improve resiliency.

The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in regulating metabolism, energy, and many other key body functions. When thyroid hormones (free T3, free T4, reverse T3) are not optimal (like in hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, or Grave’s disease), it can affect your physical and mental wellbeing. Common symptoms of thyroid imbalance include:

• Fatigue, exhaustion, or low energy

• Difficulty losing weight or unexplained weight gain

• Bloating, constipation, sluggish digestion

• Hair thinning or hair loss

• Dry skin

• Brittle nails

• Irregular periods

• Brain fog

• Low mood or symptoms of depression

Thyroid imbalances can go undiagnosed because the symptoms can overlap with other conditions. It’s important to assess thyroid function through proper testing and evaluation.

Optimizing and supporting thyroid health is essential for hormonal balance, cognitive clarity, weight management, and emotional health.

The term “normal” can be misleading because:

• Reference ranges are broad and don’t reflect optimal health for everyone.

• Results considered “normal” for one person may not be ideal for another.

• Ranges often differ by age, sex, and even lab methodology.

• It's essential to ask: Where do I fall within the range? and Do my symptoms match my test results?

• We also need to consider if the current reference ranges reflect what the current research shows or are they outdated?

Many patients report “normal” results in these key areas, yet still feel unwell:

• Female hormones: FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, SHBG, cortisol

• Thyroid hormones: TSH, Free T3, Free T4, thyroid antibodies, reverse T3

• Iron levels and ferritin

• Blood sugar and insulin levels

It’s also important to time some of these tests with your menstrual cycle.

Do you know which blood tests may be missing?

Basic annual blood work may not include everything needed for a full health assessment.

Here’s how you can take charge:

• Ask your healthcare provider which tests are covered by OHIP and which you may need to request separately.

• Discuss additional lab options with your Medical Doctor or Naturopathic Doctor.

• Track your test results over time to identify patterns or changes.

Routine lab testing helps:

• Track changes in your body year to year

• Detect hidden imbalances early

• Support informed health and treatment decisions

Use your blood test results as a tool for proactive wellness, to prevent disease, and to make informed treatment decisions.

Here are a few simple next steps:

• Request a copy of your blood test results and review them with a qualified practitioner

• Look into additional hormone and thyroid panels if symptoms persist

• Consider lab tests that are outside the scope of standard care

• Work with your MD and Naturopathic Doctor to develop a personalized plan