Mental health isn’t just about brain chemistry—it’s about biology. While therapy and lifestyle changes are important, many individuals struggling with mood swings, anxiety, or burnout may also have underlying hormonal imbalances contributing to their symptoms.

Your hormones play a crucial role in regulating everything from sleep to focus to emotional resilience. When these levels are off, your mental state can be too.

What Your Hormones Reveal About Mental Health

1. Thyroid Hormones (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)

The thyroid gland is your metabolic engine—and its function heavily influences brain activity.

• • Hypothyroidism is associated with depressive symptoms, fatigue, slowed thinking, and even suicidal ideation (Samuels, 2008).
  • Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, may cause anxiety, irritability, and restlessness (Bauer et al., 2008).

Many patients have subclinical dysfunctions that go undiagnosed without a full thyroid panel.

2. Cortisol (Adrenal Function)

Cortisol is your body’s primary stress hormone.

• • Chronically high cortisol is linked to anxiety, insomnia, and mood disorders (Stetler & Miller, 2011).
  • Chronically low cortisol, often caused by HPA-axis dysfunction, can cause fatigue, brain fog, and poor stress tolerance.
  • Diurnal saliva cortisol testing can reveal patterns not detected in standard blood tests.

3. Estrogen and Progesterone

Fluctuations in female sex hormones affect serotonin and GABA, two major neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation.

• • Low progesterone has been linked to increased anxiety and disrupted sleep (Andreen et al., 2009).
  • Estrogen withdrawal or imbalance is a major factor in perimenopausal depression (Schmidt et al., 2015).
  • Menstrual cycle-related mood disorders (PMDD, PMS) are often hormonally driven, not psychological.

4. Testosterone

In both men and women, testosterone contributes to motivation, mood stability, and confidence.

• • Low testosterone is linked to depression and irritability in men (Zarrouf et al., 2009).
  • In women, insufficient levels can contribute to fatigue, low mood, and reduced mental clarity (Glaser & Dimitrakakis, 2014).

5. Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium

• • Vitamin D deficiency is associated with a 50% increased risk of depression (Anglin et al., 2013).
  • B12 is essential for myelin synthesis and neurotransmitter regulation—deficiencies can mimic or exacerbate mental illness (Lachner et al., 2012).
  • Magnesium plays a role in GABA function and has shown antidepressant effects in clinical studies (Eby & Eby, 2006).

Why Labs Matter

Many clients we serve at Profusions have previously been told “everything looks normal”—yet they still feel off.

That’s because optimal levels are often very different from “normal lab range.” Through functional lab testing, we uncover subtle imbalances that are missed by conventional screening—and then we use those results to guide personalized treatment plans.

Hormonal Health = Mental Health

Balancing your hormones is one of the most impactful ways to support your mood, mental clarity, and resilience. Whether you’re struggling with emotional volatility, exhaustion, or anxiety, don’t just treat the symptoms—test the system that regulates them.

Next Step: Get Tested

We offer comprehensive hormone testing through convenient at-home kits and virtual consultations. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or looking for deeper answers, we’ll meet you where you are—with personalized care backed by science.

📅 Book a Consultation with Profusions Today »
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References

1. Andreen, L., Nyberg, S., Turkmen, S., van Wingen, G., Fernandez, G., & Backstrom, T. (2009). Sex steroid-induced negative mood may be explained by the paradoxical effect mediated by GABA-A modulating steroids. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 34(8), 1121–1132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2009.02.003
2. Anglin, R. E. S., Samaan, Z., Walter, S. D., & McDonald, S. D. (2013). Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 202(2), 100-107. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.111.106666
3. Bauer, M., Goetz, T., Glenn, T., & Whybrow, P. C. (2008). The thyroid-brain interaction in thyroid disorders and mood disorders. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 20(10), 1101–1114. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2826.2008.01774.x
4. Eby, G. A., & Eby, K. L. (2006). Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment. Medical Hypotheses, 67(2), 362–370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2006.01.047
5. Glaser, R., & Dimitrakakis, C. (2014). Testosterone therapy in women: myths and misconceptions. Maturitas, 77(4), 263–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.12.005
6. Lachner, C., Steinle, N. I., & Regenold, W. T. (2012). The neuropsychiatry of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly patients. The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 24(1), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.11020052
7. Samuels, M. H. (2008). Psychiatric and cognitive manifestations of hypothyroidism. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 15(5), 544–548. https://doi.org/10.1097/MED.0b013e32830ebac1
8. Schmidt, P. J., Ben Dor, R., Martinez, P. E., Guerrieri, G. M., Harsh, V. L., Thompson, K. D., … & Rubinow, D. R. (2015). Effects of estradiol withdrawal on mood in women with past perimenopausal depression: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(7), 714–726. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2015.0111
9. Stetler, C., & Miller, G. E. (2011). Depression and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal activation: a quantitative summary of four decades of research. Psychosomatic Medicine, 73(2), 114–126. https://doi.org/10.1097/PSY.0b013e31820ad12b
10. Zarrouf, F. A., Artz, S., Griffith, J., Sirbu, C., & Kommor, M. (2009). Testosterone and depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 15(4), 289–305. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.pra.0000358315.89437.4b