How to Know if You’re Deficient in Vitamins and Hormones

By Dr. Slovin
April 23, 2020

How to Know if You’re Deficient in Vitamins and Hormones

There are many reasons imbalances occur within the body, and each body reacts differently to these disparities. The better you understand your system, the more prepared you’ll be to face some of the most common side effects, like migraine, head-on (pun totally intended).

It’s human nature to assume if we eat a healthy diet, we’re getting all the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals we need; however, this isn’t always the case. Many people suffer from vitamin and hormone deficiencies without even knowing it.

Today, I’m going to look at a few telltale signs of these deficiencies.  Let’s see if it helps you narrow down some of your issues.  First, let’s review the role and importance of the essentials.

Why Are Hormones and Vitamins Important?

Vitamins and minerals play an instrumental role in how we heal, turn food into energy, keep illnesses at bay, and repair any cellular damage.

Hormones, on the other hand, help regulate many processes within the body, such as:

●       Metabolism

●       Heart rate

●       Sleep cycle

●       Reproductive cycle

●       Sexual functions

●       Growth and development

●       Stress levels

●       Mood

When we’re deficient in something when our body goes through changes (menstruation, pregnancy, and puberty), or because of environmental factors like stress, medications, or a medical condition, our whole system goes on the fritz.

Signs You Have a Vitamin or Hormone Deficiency

Your body is more in tune with itself than you may think.  It communicates when something is wrong in a variety of ways. For example, the condition of your nails, the shape of your fingers and eyebrows, hair, and thyroid can all indicate you suffer from a deficiency.

Signs you may be deficient in iron, vitamin D, vitamin B, or vitamin C include:

·         Brittle nails

·         Severe hair loss

·         Joint pain

·         Prone to cold sores

·         Irregular heartbeat

A vitamin B12 imbalance may look like this:

·         Burning sensations in the feet or tongue

·         Lower cognitive ability

·         Impaired memory

·         A decline in overall demeanor

Another way to tell is by looking at your tongue. Go on. Stick it out and look in a mirror.  If there are ridges or horizontal slits on your tongue accompanied by a white film, it could mean you have a deficiency.

In addition to these signs of a vitamin deficiency, common symptoms of a hormonal imbalance include:

●       Unexplained weight loss or gain

●       Excessive sweating

●       Difficulty sleeping

●       Dry skin

●       Weak bones

●       Mood swings

●       Anxiety or depression

●       Chronic fatigue

●       Blurred vision

●       Bloating

Could it Be Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?

A common cause of hormonal imbalances is adrenal fatigue syndrome (AFS), which we’ve discussed at length in the past. When your hormones can no longer stand up to daily stressors, it could lead to changes that you don’t even realize are happening.

Signs of AFS include:

●       Irregular menstruation

●       Low sex drive

●       Insomnia

●       Fatigue

●       Advanced signs of aging

All the different vitamins and hormones within the body must be in balance for us to feel healthy and happy. Some are made naturally in the body, and others require external sources.

If you have noticed any of the above signs and think it may be tied to a deficiency, call 203-840-0000 for a phone consultation or to schedule an in-person appointment, and find out for sure.

Sources:

Healthline – 8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency

Rush EDU – 6 Signs of Nutrient Deficiency

Medical News Today – What to Know About Hormonal Imbalances