Insulin, growth hormone, prolactin and other water-soluble polypeptide hormones consist of long chains of amino acids, from several to 200 amino acids long. They are stored in endocrine cells until needed to regulate such processes as metabolism, lactation, growth and reproduction.

So why do hormones affect only their target cells in particular tissues? Because only those target cells have receptors for that particular hormone. Some hormones bind to receptors on the surface of target cells. Others enter the cells and bind to receptors in the cytoplasm or nucleus.

Hormones influence gene expression by binding DNA in a cell’s nucleus. That is, hormones turn on certain genes that are preprogrammed to make specific proteins. These proteins cause a cell to respond in a new way (grow, secrete, metabolize, etc.).

Nonsteroid hormones generally cannot pass through the cell membrane of their target cells. Nonsteroid hormones bind to receptors in a target cell and cause the release of secondary messengers that affect cell activities. 1. A nonsteroid hormone binds to receptors on the cell membrane.

Steroid hormones are derived from cholesterol by a biochemical reaction series. Defects along this series often lead to hormonal imbalances with serious consequences. Once synthesized, steroid hormones pass into the bloodstream; they are not stored by cells, and the rate of synthesis controls them.

Signs or symptoms of a hormonal imbalance

1. weight gain.
2. a hump of fat between the shoulders.
3. unexplained, and sometimes sudden, weight loss.
4. fatigue.
5. muscle weakness.
6. muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness.
7. pain, stiffness, or swelling in your joints.
8. increased or decreased heart rate.

As can be seen in the picture, insulin has an effect on a number of cells, including muscle, red blood cells, and fat cells. In response to insulin, these cells absorb glucose out of the blood, having the net effect of lowering the high blood glucose levels into the normal range.

Epinephrine is the primary adrenal medulla hormone, accounting for 75 to 80 percent of its secretions. Epinephrine and norepinephrine increase heart rate, breathing rate, cardiac muscle contractions, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels.

Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues.

Low estrogen levels can impact many aspects of a woman’s overall health and wellbeing, including her physical, emotional, and sexual health. They may also increase a woman’s risk of serious conditions, including heart disease, osteoporosis (softening of bone tissue), and obesity.

Having the right balance of oestrogen is thought to help maintain good energy levels. So if your oestrogen levels are low, which can happen for a wide range of reasons, you might feel tired. Your oestrogen levels fluctuate throughout your monthly cycle.

What is high or low estrogen levels? When estrogen is too high or too low you may get menstrual cycle changes, dry skin, hot flashes, trouble sleeping, night sweats, vaginal thinning and dryness, low sex drive, mood swings, weight gain, PMS, breast lumps, fatigue, depression and anxiety.

Symptoms of high estrogen in women swelling and tenderness in your breasts. fibrocystic lumps in your breasts. decreased sex drive. irregular menstrual periods.

For women, high progesterone is associated with symptoms including anxiety, bloating, depression, reduced sex drive and/​or weight fluctuations. What are symptoms of low progesterone? Low progesterone levels in men may produce symptoms including bone loss, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, hair loss and/​or weight gain.

15 Signs of Estrogen Dominance

1. Mood Swings. Unfortunately, any change in hormones is likely to cause mood swings.
2. Irritability.
3. Decreased Sex Drive.
4. Worsening PMS Symptoms.
5. Irregular Menstrual Periods.
6. Heavy Periods.
7. Bloating.
8. Weight Gain.

Managing estrogen dominance:

1. Liver support: in order to metabolise estrogen appropriately and efficiently – avoiding toxins especially alcohol.
2. Manage stress levels: help balance cortisol levels by reducing stress levels.
3. Manage insulin levels: choose a low GL diet with low sugar and carbohydrates.