What is hormone deficiency?
Hormone deficiencies occur when the body does not produce enough of a certain hormone. Some common hormone deficiencies include:
Thyroid hormone deficiency
- The thyroid gland in the neck does not make enough thyroid hormone. This leads to hypothyroidism.
- Symptoms can include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, constipation, dry skin, and depression.
- Hypothyroidism is usually treated with a daily oral thyroid hormone medication.
Growth hormone deficiency
- The pituitary gland does not release enough growth hormone.
- Symptoms in children can include slow height growth and short stature.
- It is treated with growth hormone injections.
Testosterone deficiency
- The testes in men do not produce enough testosterone, the main male sex hormone. This causes low testosterone or hypogonadism.
- Symptoms include low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and depressed mood.
- Low testosterone can be treated with testosterone replacement via injections, gels, or patches.
Estrogen deficiency
- In women, the ovaries do not release enough of the main female hormone estrogen.
- Symptoms can include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, trouble sleeping, and bone loss.
- Estrogen pills, patches, gels, or vaginal rings can treat estrogen deficiency.
These hormone issues can develop due to problems with the glands that make hormones. Other times, the pituitary gland or hypothalamus do not signal properly. Certain medications, chronic health conditions, infections, injury, or radiation treatments may lead to hormone deficiencies.
In summary, hormone deficiencies happen when glands fail to produce adequate hormones. This causes unpleasant symptoms that often greatly improve with hormone replacement treatment. Contact your doctor if you suspect a hormone problem so they can run blood tests and help create a treatment plan for you.