In a new study from London Medical Laboratory, researchers found the stressful impact of COVID—including lockdowns, home working and now returning to the office—is impacting on hormone levels.
This could lead to long-term health problems.
They warn that there are now 19% more people with significant hormone imbalances than before the pandemic.
It is likely that the anxieties created by COVID-19, including fear of illness, lockdowns and unsettling changes to routines, have caused a notable rise in the number of people showing significant hormone changes over the past two years.
The team found their hormone tests reveal a 19% increase in abnormal results. This is concerning, as long-term imbalances can have negative effects on people’s health.
If untreated, hormone disorders can lead to a wide variety of illnesses, ranging from depression to infertility and heart problems.
In the study, the typical early symptoms of a hormone imbalance may include:
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Digestive issues
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
- Anxiety or major depression
- Heavy or frequent periods (for women)
- Stopped or missed periods (for women)
- Erectile dysfunction (for men)
- Hair loss or thinning
- Night sweats
- Skin tags
The team found stress-created hormone level changes for estrogen, testosterone, Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, prolactin and DHEA.
The blood tests cover all these hormones and an imbalance in any of them can quickly cause a snowball effect, sometimes leading to severe illnesses.
The team says stress creates more ACTH, which controls the production of another hormone called cortisol. It is this fight or flight hormone that seems to be impacting on other hormones to create imbalances.
Cortisol is known as the body’s primary stress hormone. It regulates a wide range of vital processes in your body, including metabolism, inflammation and immune response.
The team says stress inhibits thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. If undiagnosed, underactive thyroids (hypothyroidism) can lead to slow heart rate, hearing loss, anemia and, in the most severe cases, Myxoedema Coma.
Severe stress may be a risk factor for diabetes type 1. Insulin levels may decrease during stress. This can contribute to stress-induced hyperglycemia—a common problem for people with diabetes.
The team suggests that anyone who feels they have been particularly stressed and anxious for a long period should take a hormone blood test to ensure that this has not impacted their hormone levels, which could create more severe health problems over time.
If you care about COVID, please read studies about new drug that could prevent COVID-19,
and two paths toward ‘super immunity’ to COVID-19.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about antibodies that can neutralize Omicron, and results showing that you are most likely to get COVID-19 in these places.
The study was conducted by Dr. Quinton Fivelman et al.
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