If you’ve been told your labs are normal — but you still feel off — you’re not alone. Many people, especially women in their 30s to 60s, come to me feeling exhausted, moody, bloated, foggy, or just not like themselves.
What’s often happening? Your hormones are trying to tell you something. And I’m here to listen.
At Integrative Health Medical Group, I don’t chase symptoms — I investigate root causes. Hormonal imbalances aren’t random. They reflect how your body is responding to stress, inflammation, gut health, nutrient levels, and more.
Common Hormonal Imbalances I See
- Estrogen dominance (heavy periods, PMS, weight gain around hips/thighs)
- Low progesterone (anxiety, insomnia, irregular cycles)
- Perimenopause/menopause shifts (hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings)
- Low testosterone (fatigue, low libido, muscle loss)
- Adrenal fatigue (wired-tired feeling, brain fog, low motivation)
- Insulin resistance (belly fat, cravings, blood sugar swings)
- Subclinical thyroid issues (cold hands/feet, fatigue, hair loss)
How I Test and Investigate
Hormonal imbalance is often missed in standard testing. That’s why I go deeper.
Testing may include:
- Full thyroid panel (not just TSH)
- Salivary or DUTCH hormone testing (for cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone)
- Insulin and glucose markers
- Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, magnesium
- Inflammatory markers (CRP, homocysteine)
- Gut health and liver detox pathways (critical for hormone balance)
What Your Symptoms Are Telling Us
- Night sweats and hot flashes: Think estrogen/progesterone imbalance.
- Anxiety, insomnia, PMS: Low progesterone or high cortisol.
- Low libido and fatigue: Consider low testosterone or adrenal burnout.
- Weight gain despite dieting: Could be cortisol, thyroid, or insulin resistance.
Instead of suppressing symptoms, I ask: what’s the root cause? What is your body trying to communicate?
My Integrative Approach to Hormone Balance
My goal is not to simply prescribe hormones — it’s to restore your body’s natural rhythm and balance.
That might mean:
- Supporting adrenal glands first, before jumping to hormone therapy
- Clearing estrogen excess through liver and gut support
- Replenishing key nutrients needed to make and activate hormones
- Improving blood sugar regulation
- Addressing sleep and stress, which influence every hormone in the body
Herbal Support for Hormonal Balance
Many plants gently help bring hormones back into balance. These are some of my most trusted allies:
- Vitex (Chaste Tree Berry): Supports progesterone production and menstrual cycle regulation.
- Black Cohosh: Eases menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings.
- Maca Root: Adaptogen that supports libido, energy, and hormone balance in both men and women.
- Ashwagandha: Balances cortisol and supports adrenal health.
- Rhodiola: Improves energy, mood, and mental focus under stress.
- Licorice Root: Supports adrenal function and estrogen metabolism (use with care in high blood pressure).
- DIM (Diindolylmethane): Compound from cruciferous vegetables that helps detoxify excess estrogen.
- Saw Palmetto: Helpful in balancing testosterone and DHT, especially in men.
Herbs are chosen based on your unique pattern and labs — not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Conclusion: Your Body Knows When Something’s Off
You don’t need to suffer through hormone imbalances or feel dismissed when labs come back “normal.”
At Integrative Health Medical Group, I help you decode what your body is saying, support the root cause, and rebuild your hormonal health in a sustainable, personalized way.
Your hormones aren’t broken — they’re speaking. Let’s listen together.
— Wade T. Smith, APRN, FNP-BC
Integrative Health Medical Group
