Hormonal imbalances occur when hormone levels in the body are too high or too low. Declining hormone levels could occur as a result of autoimmune diseases, infection or surgical removal of a hormone-secreting gland. Hormones regulate many vital body functions. Declining hormone levels can cause symptoms that may require medical care.
Elevated Blood Glucose
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells found in the pancreas. When food is consumed, its converted to glucose which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. The function of insulin is to move glucose from the blood to the body's cells.
When there is too little insulin in the body, a hormonal disease called diabetes mellitus occurs. In this disorder, blood glucose levels are high because there is not enough insulin to remove the glucose from the blood.
Breast Milk
The pituitary gland is located in the brain. It secretes several hormones including prolactin. Prolactin stimulates production of breast milk in a woman after child birth. According to the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, a deficiency of this hormone could lower or eliminate a woman's ability to produce breast milk.
Low levels of prolactin can be caused by Sheehan's syndrome, a rare condition that occurs during childbirth. This syndrome develops when excess blood is lost during childbirth as well as if shock occurs while giving birth. These two situations lead to partial destruction of the pituitary gland.
Low Blood Pressure
MayoClinic.com explains that Addison's disease is a hormonal disorder that occurs when there are low levels of a hormone called cortisol in the body. The adrenal glands secrete this hormone. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure--the force that blood flow exerts against the the arterial walls--in the body. Low blood pressure is a symptom of Addison's disease.
Increased Thirst
One function of the kidneys is to remove waste products from the body and retain nutrients such as glucose that the body needs. In diabetes mellitus, the kidneys remove excess glucose from the body and in the process, water is lost. This leads to production of large amounts of urine and dehydration. Loss of too much water in diabetes mellitus causes thirst.
References
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Hypopituitarism
- MayoClinic.com: Diabetes- Symptoms
- "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Diabetes"; M D Davidson, Mayer B. Davidson, Debra L. Gordon; 2009
- National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service: Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison's Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Addison's Disease
