Hormone deficiencies occur when the body does not produce enough of a certain hormone. Some of the most common hormone deficiencies include: Thyroid hormone deficiency The thyroid gland regulates metabolism by producing hormones like thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Hypothyroidism is a condition where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones, slowing down the metabolism. Common symptoms of hypothyroidism include fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, muscle weakness, dry skin, hair loss, and depression. Hypothyroidism can be treated with synthetic thyroid hormones like levothyroxine to restore thyroid hormone levels. Growth hormone deficiency Growth hormone is important for growth and development, especially in children and teens. Children with growth hormone deficiency are unusually short for age and gender. Other symptoms can include increased body fat, delayed puberty, and problems concentrating. Growth hormone injections can help treat this hormone deficiency and help children grow to a normal height. Adults may also be treated with growth hormone for deficiencies. Sex hormone deficiencies Sex hormones like estrogen in women and testosterone in men start to decline naturally with age. But some people can develop more severe deficiencies leading to unpleasant symptoms. Estrogen deficiency causes symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, urinary issues, and bone loss in women after menopause. Estrogen therapy via pills, patches, gels or rings can help supplement the body's low estrogen levels. Testosterone deficiency in men can cause low energy, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, loss of muscle mass, and depressive mood. Testosterone replacement is available to help restore testosterone levels through gels, injections, patches or tablets. In summary, hormone deficiencies develop when the endocrine glands fail to produce adequate amounts of hormones like thyroid, growth, estrogen or testosterone. Marked by unpleasant symptoms, hormone deficiencies may be treated through supplementation to help restore levels. Catching and addressing deficiencies early on can help minimize long term complications. For more information, visit Hormone Health Center.