Hormone Health Hub: Expert Insights on Testing, Balance & Better Living — adrenal fatigue symptoms

Why does weight gain accelerate at menopause? Can estrogen dominance cause low cortisol? Is saliva testing better than blood? Hormone Health Educator Candace Burch of ZRT Laboratory answers the most common questions from women struggling with hormone-related weight gain — covering everything from adrenal fatigue and vitamin D deficiency to birth control, bioidentical progesterone and why “your hormones are fine” from a standard blood test may not tell the whole story.

What do heavy metals, neurotransmitters and hormone imbalances have in common? In this detailed case study, Dr. Kate Placzek examines Loretta — a 62-year-old postmenopausal woman with breast cancer — and shows how comprehensive testing can reveal the complex biochemical picture behind a cancer diagnosis. A compelling read for anyone interested in the role of hormones and toxic exposure in breast health.

Your adrenal glands are your body's frontline stress managers — producing cortisol, DHEA and adrenaline to keep you functioning under pressure. But when stress becomes chronic, these glands can fall out of balance, leading to fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety and more. Discover how adrenal hormones work, what imbalance looks like, and 10 evidence-based tips to restore balance.

Nearly a third of the UK population suffers from insomnia — yet many are still unaware of the powerful connection between hormones and sleep. When cortisol and melatonin fall out of rhythm, or when neurotransmitters are disrupted by menopause or chronic stress, restorative sleep becomes elusive. Find out whether hormones are contributing to your sleep loss — and what you can do about it.

Obesity is not simply a matter of calories in versus calories out. Chronic stress triggers a cascade of hormonal changes — elevated cortisol, depleted DHEA, disrupted leptin signalling and imbalanced sex hormones — that actively drive visceral fat storage and metabolic dysfunction. This article explains the biochemistry of stress-related weight gain and why understanding your hormone levels is key to breaking the cycle.