Anxiety from Hormone Imbalance

Summary:

Frank had thought the stress caused by life events was causing his panic attacks. He brushed it off for about a decade and after being encouraged by his PCP had tried medication. The medication did not work well for him, and he felt 'not himself'. A family member connected him to my practice and in our first appointment it became clear that it was more than just getting older that was causing him to also feel sluggish all the time and slowly adding weight.

How the case was evaluated:

• • • Prior lab results had shown sub-optimal thyroid and testosterone levels.
    • More comprehensive bloodwork completed at a standard lab confirmed that his thyroid was low functioning and his testosterone to estrogen ratio was imbalanced.
    • Blood testing showed some mild nutrient insufficiencies, notably magnesium.

Assessment:

Hormone assessment in mainstream medicine is often based solely on the reference ranges listed on the lab results. Frank is an example of where his thyroid was well outside of an acceptable level, but still within the range the lab used and his PCP had assessed that as 'normal'. Similarly, his testosterone was much lower than a man should be, but seemed 'normal for his age' to his PCP. His testosterone was presumably being aromatized into estrogen based on the more detailed testing we ordered.

Treatment:

• • • Thyroid medication was started and his lab values normalized after finding the right dose.
    • Supplements targeting estrogen metabolism and limiting the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.
    • Supplements that helped reduce anxiety and resolved his magnesium insufficiency.
    • After an improvement in his energy and metabolism, lifestyle and diet approaches helped him lose weight. This weight loss, predominantly in his abdomen, further reduced his conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Outcome:

Frank did a lot of work on himself and his world, and found better ways to navigate the life stressors that had come on over the last decade. He attributed getting his body in better balance as the piece of the puzzle that made it accomplishable. His panic attacks lessened and eventually stopped occurring over about 6 months. He had improved energy, sex drive, and excitement to keep exploring new things in his new chapter of life.