Hormonal health is one of the hottest topics in wellness, with “balancing hormones” being the catchphrase plastered across social media, blogs, and even billboards. It sounds ideal—a promise to bring harmony to your body and alleviate nagging symptoms. But what does it actually mean? And is it even achievable?

In our first episode of the Healthy Skeptics podcast, we unpack the truth about hormone health and why the narrative of balance is not only misleading but potentially harmful. If you’ve been chasing the perfect balance, this post is for you. Here’s what you need to know.

Why “Balancing Hormones” Is Misleading

The phrase “balancing hormones” has become a marketing tool, creating the illusion that hormones are static entities that should remain perfectly even. However, the reality is far from this oversimplified notion. Hormones are inherently dynamic. They fluctuate daily, hourly, and even moment to moment in response to the information your body receives.

Hormones adapt. They’re meant to. The problem isn’t that they’re “unbalanced”—it’s that they’re responding to signals you may not realize you’re sending. To truly support your hormones, we need to stop chasing balance and start focusing on adaptability.

Hormones Aren’t Broken—They’re Responding

The first step in shifting the narrative is understanding that your body isn’t broken. If your hormones aren’t “balanced,” they’re still doing their job—they’re responding to the information your body receives. Whether it’s stress, poor nutrition, sleep deprivation, or environmental factors, your hormones are adapting to the inputs they’re given.

Symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or irregular periods are not signs of a broken system but signals that your body needs different support.

Breaking Down Key Hormones

Let’s look at the big players in hormonal health and why the idea of balance often falls short.

1. Cortisol: Your Stress Hormone

Cortisol is often vilified, with supplement ads promising to “lower cortisol” for better health. But cortisol isn’t the enemy—it’s vital for survival. It operates on a natural curve, peaking in the morning to wake you up and tapering off at night so you can sleep.

The Problem:
The real issue isn’t high cortisol—it’s a flattened cortisol curve. Constant stress keeps your cortisol elevated, while chronic depletion leaves it perpetually low. Both scenarios disrupt your body’s ability to respond appropriately to stress.

The Fix:
Supporting a healthy cortisol response involves:

• Prioritizing rest and recovery.
• Avoiding quick fixes like cortisol-lowering supplements unless medically necessary.
• Engaging in activities that promote parasympathetic nervous system activation, like deep breathing or gentle movement.

2. Insulin: Your Energy Regulator

Insulin is another misunderstood hormone. Many people fear insulin spikes, leading to the popularity of continuous glucose monitors and low-carb diets. But insulin’s job is to rise after eating and move glucose into your cells for energy.

The Problem:
The goal isn’t to keep insulin low all the time but to maintain insulin sensitivity. Flatlined or consistently high insulin levels are problematic, leading to insulin resistance, fatigue, and other metabolic issues.

The Fix:

• Focus on balanced meals with protein, fat, and carbohydrates.
• Avoid excessive snacking, which can keep insulin elevated.
• Incorporate strength training to improve insulin sensitivity.

3. Sex Hormones: Estrogen, Progesterone, and Testosterone

These hormones are the stars of the “balance” conversation, especially for women. From puberty to menopause, sex hormones naturally fluctuate in response to life stages and monthly cycles.

The Problem:
Many treatments, including birth control and hormone replacement therapy (HRT), create static levels of hormones, ignoring the natural fluctuations your body needs. This can exacerbate symptoms, overwhelm your detoxification system, and lead to long-term imbalances.

The Fix:
Instead of trying to artificially stabilize sex hormones:

• Support your body’s natural detoxification processes with nutrient-rich foods like leafy greens, citrus, and cruciferous vegetables.
• Track your cycle to better understand your hormonal shifts.
• Work with a practitioner to address the root causes of symptoms like PMS or irregular periods.

4. Thyroid Hormones: Metabolism’s Mastermind

Thyroid hormones play a critical role in regulating your metabolism. They’re responsive to both internal and external stressors, from blood sugar imbalances to chronic inflammation.

The Problem:
Conventional medicine often tests only TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone), which isn’t a thyroid hormone but a brain signal. Without assessing free T3 and T4 levels, you’re left with an incomplete picture.

The Fix:

• Request comprehensive thyroid testing, including TSH, free T3, free T4, and reverse T3. Also ask for a full antibody panel to include TPOAb, TgAb and TRAb if you think you’re leaning toward hyperthyroidism
• Reduce systemic inflammation with anti-inflammatory foods and stress management.
• Avoid extreme dieting, which can impair thyroid function.

Why Lab Chasing Doesn’t Work

One of the biggest pitfalls in both conventional and functional medicine is lab chasing—focusing solely on numbers without addressing the bigger picture.

For example:

• A “balanced” TSH level doesn’t guarantee optimal thyroid function if free T3 or T4 levels are low.
• Normal cortisol levels on paper don’t account for symptoms like fatigue or brain fog.
• Suppressing estrogen or progesterone with medication may eliminate one symptom while creating others.

Numbers are a piece of the puzzle, not the whole story. Your symptoms, history, and lifestyle provide invaluable context that labs alone cannot.

The Psychological Impact of Chasing Balance

The narrative of “balancing hormones” often leaves women feeling broken, as though they’ve failed if their bodies don’t fit into a perfect mold. This creates a dangerous cycle of chasing perfection and relying on external solutions like supplements or medications.

Instead, shift your mindset to one of adaptability. Hormones are supposed to fluctuate. Learning to listen to your body and give it what it needs—rather than forcing it into “balance”—is the key to true wellness.

The Power of Adaptability

Rather than chasing balance, focus on adaptability. Ask yourself:

• What signals am I sending my body?
• How can I support my body’s natural processes instead of fighting them?
• What small, sustainable changes can I make to feel better?

Supporting adaptability might look like:

• Eating meals that stabilize blood sugar.
• Getting enough sleep to support cortisol and melatonin cycles.
• Strengthening your metabolism with nutrient-dense foods and regular movement.
• Addressing stress with mindfulness practices.

You’re Not Broken

Your body isn’t broken. If you’re experiencing hormonal symptoms, it’s not because your hormones are “unbalanced.” It’s because your body is responding to the information it’s been given.

Instead of seeking quick fixes or chasing perfect lab numbers, focus on understanding the why behind your symptoms. With the right support, you can create a lifestyle that aligns with your body’s natural rhythms and promotes long-term health.

Ready to Learn More?
If you’re tired of feeling stuck and want to start supporting your hormones in a way that works for your unique body, check out the resources we’ve linked below or listen to our full podcast episode.

Your hormones aren’t something to “fix”—they’re something to support, nurture, and respect. Start the journey toward a healthier, more adaptable you today!