Dr. Jacqueline Thomas is the co-founder and clinical directory at Alpine Valley Wellness Center in Wenatchee, Washington. Many of Dr. Thomas’ patients at the Alpine Valley Wellness Center are women 40+ and in the article below she discusses some of the most common hormonal conditions she treats.
Alpine Valley Wellness Sees a Rise in Female Hormonal Conditions
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas says take hypothyroidism for example. It’s
common in women 60 and older, occurring when the thyroid gland isn’t functioning properly. The thyroid gland, located in the lower part of the front of the neck, can become underactive for a number of reasons.
Hypothyroidism tends to be especially pernicious because it’s hard to identify in its early stages but can eventually cause everything from heart disease and joint pain to obesity and infertility. Women with hypothyroidism commonly feel fatigued or have dry skin and thinning hair.
The heart rate will slow, there is often heavy or irregular menstruation and muscles become weak.
The good news is that it’s a condition that can easily be identified through a widely-available and quick blood test. Treatment is usually straightforward for experts in hormonal management like Dr. Jacqueline Thomas.
Menopause/Perimenopause
It can start with a hot flash or slight changes to the skin.
Perhaps there's acne or night sweats. Sometimes it can lead to changes in mood and sex drive.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas reports that as women age, they often face a slew of hormonal changes and a range of conditions that can be either natural and harmless or potentially serious. Often, hormonal changes are noticed just through the sense of something feeling “different.”
Progesterone and estrogen, the primary female sex hormones, have a dramatic impact on a woman’s health throughout her life.
Many hormone disorders in women patients at the Alpine Valley Wellness Center who are 40 and older set in during pre-menopause or perimenopause, a time of great hormonal fluctuations and imbalances. When the body transitions into menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone diminish and can become irregular.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas explains that hormonal fluctuations during this period can lead to cognitive changes, headaches, disruption of sleep, vaginal dryness, and gastrointestinal changes. .
PCOS
Arguably one of the most common causes of female infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, impacts nearly 1 in 10 women who are still of reproductive age. PCOS can cause fertility issues, changes to periods, weight gain, and ovarian cysts.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas reports that signs of PCOS may be seen as early as the onset of puberty, but frequently is noticed later in life when a woman attempts to get pregnant. The exact cause is unknown but seems to be associated with excess weight and insulin resistance. As with many hormonal conditions, if you are experiencing infertility or conditions such as acne or excessive weight gain, working with an integrative physician like Dr. Thomas provides a comprehensive treatment approach to this disorder. .
Hyperprolactinemia
Somewhat lesser known is prolactin imbalances driven by the pituitary gland that sits in the brain and regulates vital functions of the body and wellbeing in general. The related hormonal condition, hyperprolactinemia, is caused by the production of too much prolactin leading to a growth on the gland that is noncancerous.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas explains that it can be caused by hypothyroidism, as well as liver disease and anorexia. Symptoms of excessive prolactin include problems with fertility, headaches and sight changes, nipple discharge, and irregular periods.
Other common hormonal conditions women should look out for include primary ovarian insufficiency, which occurs when the ovaries begin to stop working before turning 40 years old, and hirsutism, which leads to excess hair growth, particularly in places where women typically do not grow hair.
Adrenal Myths
Another source of concern for women at the Alpine Valley Wellness Center who are approaching or experiencing menopause is the issue of “adrenal fatigue.” Triangle-shaped, small, and found above each kidney, the adrenal glands are critical to metabolic parameters like blood pressure and blood sugar, as well as being an important part of healthy immune function. Though popular, the term “adrenal fatigue” is actually not a medical diagnosis. Symptoms often ascribed to “adrenal fatigue” include tiredness, trouble falling asleep, salt and sugar craving, mood issues, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms are common and non-specific, meaning they can be found in many diseases.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas at Alpine Valley Wellness in Wenatchee, WA approaches these kinds of symptoms comprehensively, based on decades of experience. She does a thorough history, assessing emotional and physical symptoms, and will do lab testing if necessary. This assists her in differentiating actual medical issues with the adrenal glands, such as Addison’s disease (adrenal insufficiency), from other health problems women face.
Mythical Sources of Mental Illness
Popular amongst YouTube health influencers and health coaches, pyrrole disorder (Pyroluria) is a blood disorder that is promoted as a significant cause of mood disorders such as bipolar disorder, alcoholism, spectrum disorders, and attention deficit disorders like ADHD. It can mimic a hormonal disorder, according to proponents.
When the body produces hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells, there is a byproduct called kryptopyrroles (pyrroles). Normally, the excess pyrroles are excreted in the urine. For some people, the kryptopyrroles multiply too rapidly, leaving excess in the bloodstream where the pyrroles block the body’s ability to utilize 2 nutrients, vitamin B6 and zinc. Among the many important roles these two nutrients have in the body, B6 and zinc help maintain healthy neurological function and emotional balance.
Sadly, though elevated pyrroles can be clinically observed, its association with mental disorders has never been definitively proven. Current research does not support it as a mainstream medical diagnosis. Dr. Jacqueline Thomas notes that the recommended treatment approach – high dose zinc and B6 - has not improved symptoms of mental illness in her patients with high levels of pyrroles.
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas Says: Do Not Ignore Imbalances
Dr. Jacqueline Thomas reports that while health challenges are inevitable, it doesn’t mean they should be pushed aside. Women over 40 who feel they are experiencing hormonal issues should see a physician to share their concerns.
Actual hormonal disorders require different degrees of medical care, but many symptoms can be improved with simple lifestyle changes, according to Dr. Jacqueline Thomas at Alpine Valley Wellness in Wenatchee, WA.
Women, especially those over 40, should try their best to get 7-8 hours of sleep each day and commit to at least 30 minutes of daily movement or exercise. Dr. Jacqueline Thomas also recommends a diet high in fiber, healthy fats, and protein while being low in sugar, ultra-processed components, and artificial additives.
References
Pyroluria: Fact or Fiction?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33902305/
