Quick Summary
Hormones influence many functions in the body, including reproduction, metabolism, sleep, body temperature and sexual health. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, hot flashes, irregular periods, low libido or brain fog can sometimes be related to hormonal changes—but they can also have other causes.
At Thrive Chiropractic & Functional Health in Branson, Missouri, our Functional Health approach considers your symptoms, health history, lifestyle, previous testing and appropriate lab findings together. We help you understand what may deserve further evaluation and build a personalized plan based on what we find. Virtual Functional Health services are also available nationwide.
You May Be Struggling With Hormone Imbalance and Not Know It
Hormones regulate nearly every system in the body — energy, sleep, mood, metabolism, libido, digestion, cognition, and more. When they are out of balance, the effects are wide-ranging and easy to dismiss or misattribute.
Many of the patients we see have spent years being told their lab work looks "fine" while they continue to feel anything but. They've tried antidepressants for mood changes that were actually perimenopause. They've been told their fatigue is stress when it was actually a thyroid problem. They've been given sleeping pills for insomnia caused by progesterone deficiency.
Functional medicine hormone evaluation looks deeper than a single TSH or estradiol number. It looks at the full picture — how your hormones relate to each other, how your body is metabolizing them, and what underlying drivers (stress, gut health, blood sugar, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies) may be throwing the system off.
Common Symptoms That May Signal a Hormone Imbalance
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Fatigue that doesn't improve with rest
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Weight gain — especially around the abdomen — that won't budge with diet and exercise
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Difficulty sleeping or waking at 3–4 AM
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Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating
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Mood changes — anxiety, irritability, depression, or emotional instability
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Hot flashes, night sweats, or temperature dysregulation
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Low libido or sexual dysfunction
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Irregular, heavy, or painful periods
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Hair thinning or hair loss
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Dry skin, brittle nails, or changes in body composition
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Cold intolerance or feeling cold all the time
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Heart palpitations
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Fluid retention or bloating
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Low motivation or loss of drive
If you recognize several of these symptoms — especially if they've developed gradually over months or years — a comprehensive hormone evaluation may be the most important step you haven't taken yet.
Hormone Conditions we Support
Perimenopause and menopause
The transition into and through menopause is one of the most significant hormonal shifts a woman experiences — and one of the most under-addressed. Declining estrogen and progesterone drive hot flashes, sleep disruption, mood instability, vaginal dryness, brain fog, and accelerated bone and muscle loss. We evaluate the full hormonal picture and develop individualized plans that may include bioidentical hormone therapy, nutritional support, and lifestyle interventions.
Thyroid dysfunction
Thyroid imbalances can cause symptoms including fatigue, changes in weight, cold or heat intolerance, heart-rate changes, bowel changes and changes in hair or skin. TSH is commonly used as an initial thyroid test, but it's not the full story. We combine TSH with additional testing to get a full and complete picture of thyroid health.
Stress, Sleep and Hormone Health
Stress and sleep can influence many aspects of health, including appetite, energy, menstrual symptoms and how we feel day to day. Cortisol is part of the body's normal stress-response system, but persistent fatigue shouldn't automatically be attributed to "adrenal fatigue." We consider stress and sleep alongside other possible contributors to your symptoms.
Estrogen and Progesterone change
Estrogen and progesterone naturally change across the menstrual cycle and fluctuate substantially during perimenopause. These changes can contribute to symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, sleep disruption and other concerns.
Low testosterone (men and women)
Testosterone matters for both sexes. In men, low testosterone produces fatigue, low libido, difficulty building muscle, brain fog, depression, and metabolic changes. In women, low testosterone (often overlooked) contributes to low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, and motivation problems. We evaluate testosterone alongside DHEA and other factors to get a complete picture.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age, yet it is frequently underdiagnosed or managed only with birth control pills that mask symptoms without addressing the underlying insulin resistance and androgen excess. Our approach addresses the metabolic drivers — blood sugar regulation, inflammation, gut health, and nutrient status — alongside hormonal support.
Insulin resistance and metabolic hormone dysfunction
Insulin is a hormone too — and insulin resistance disrupts the entire hormonal system. It drives estrogen excess, lowers progesterone, raises androgens in women, and creates a metabolic environment that makes weight loss nearly impossible. We assess insulin resistance as part of every hormone evaluation.
What Comprehensive Testing Looks Like
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Sex hormones: estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA-S (Blood, Saliva and/or Dried Urine/DUTCH)
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Thyroid panel: TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO antibodies, thyroglobulin antibodies
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Adrenal / cortisol: four-point salivary or DUTCH dried urine testing to map the cortisol curve
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Metabolic markers: fasting insulin, glucose, HbA1c, lipid panel, inflammatory markers
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Nutrient status: vitamin D, B12, ferritin, magnesium — all of which affect hormone function
We also look at symptoms, timing, history, and context — because lab values only tell part of the story. A number that looks "normal" on a population reference range may still be far from optimal for you individually.
Care Plan Support Options
Treatment plans are individualized based on your lab results, symptoms, history, and goals. They may include:
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Bioidentical hormone therapy — using hormones identical in structure to those your body produces
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Thyroid support — including T4/T3 combination therapy when appropriate
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Adrenal support — adaptogenic herbs, lifestyle interventions, cortisol regulation strategies
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Blood sugar and insulin optimization — nutritional and supplemental support
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Nutritional support — targeted supplementation based on identified deficiencies
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Lifestyle and stress management protocols
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Gut health interventions when gut-hormone connections are a factor
Care is coordinated with your existing providers when appropriate. We do not replace your primary care physician — we fill the gaps that functional hormone evaluation addresses.
The Research Behind Our Approach
Our functional medicine hormone program is informed by peer-reviewed research and clinical evidence. Key studies and guidelines that shape our approach:
Menopause hormone therapy and updated risk-benefit understanding:
Manson JE, Kaunitz AM. (2016). "Menopause Management — Getting Clinical Care Back on Track." New England Journal of Medicine, 374(9):803–806.
This perspective piece in the NEJM called for updated clinical approaches to menopause management, noting that a decade of under-treatment following misinterpreted WHI findings had left millions of women without effective care. The authors emphasized that individualized hormone therapy carries a favorable risk-benefit profile for most healthy women under 60 or within 10 years of menopause.
Subclinical thyroid dysfunction and clinical outcomes:
Cappola AR, Fried LP, Arnold AM, et al. (2006). "Thyroid Status, Cardiovascular Risk, and Mortality in Older Adults." JAMA, 295(9):1033–1041.
This large prospective study found that subclinical thyroid dysfunction — abnormalities that fall within "normal" conventional ranges — was associated with significantly increased cardiovascular risk and mortality, supporting the clinical importance of comprehensive thyroid evaluation beyond a single TSH value.
PCOS diagnosis and treatment — Endocrine Society guidelines:
Legro RS, Arslanian SA, Ehrmann DA, et al. (2013). "Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline." Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 98(12):4565–4592.
This comprehensive guideline documents the role of insulin resistance as a core driver of PCOS — not just a secondary feature — and recommends addressing metabolic factors (insulin sensitization, lifestyle modification) as part of PCOS management alongside hormonal treatment.
Meet Your Functional Health Team
Tara Peterson
Certified Functional Health Coach
Tara is the person you'll work with throughout your Functional Health journey. She takes the time to understand your health history, symptoms, nutrition, lifestyle, and goals. She helps you make sense of the information we gather and works with you to put your personalized plan into action. Tara also provides the ongoing guidance, education, and accountability that can make healthy changes easier to understand and maintain.
Dr. Jeni St. Onge, DC, CFMP
Chiropractor & Certified Functional Medicine Provider
Dr. Jeni St. Onge is a chiropractor and Certified Functional Medicine Provider and provides oversight and guidance for Thrive's Functional Health program. Her training in functional health helps shape our approach of looking beyond individual symptoms and considering the bigger picture — including nutrition, lifestyle, metabolic health, hormones, digestion, and other factors that may be contributing to how someone feels. Together, our goal is to help you better understand your health and give you a clear, practical path forward.
What to Expect at Your Initial Report Of Findings Visit (after the Free Consultation to eligibility)
Your first visit is a deep evaluation — not a 10-minute check-in:
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Comprehensive health history: We spend time understanding your full symptom picture, timeline, previous diagnoses, medications, and what you've already tried.
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Review of lab findings: We explain what we found and to identify patterns that may have been previously missed.
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Initial recommendations: We will offer nutritional, lifestyle, or supplement recommendations to start addressing drivers we've identified.
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A Plan laid out so that you can actually make the changes that will get the results and help you regain your health.
Initial visits typically run 60-75 minutes. Telehealth options are available. No referral is needed.
When We May Refer You Elsewhere
Functional medicine hormone care is not a replacement for all medical care. Situations where we will refer you to the appropriate specialist:
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Active cancer — particularly hormone-sensitive cancers (breast, ovarian, uterine, prostate) where hormone therapy requires oncology oversight
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Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease or recent cardiac event
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Active blood clots or history of thromboembolism (hormone therapy may require hematology coordination)
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Acute psychiatric crisis requiring immediate psychiatric care
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Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding that warrants gynecological evaluation first
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Suspected pituitary tumors or structural endocrine abnormalities requiring imaging
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Pregnancy — we do not manage prenatal hormone care
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When you need prescription medication that we can not provide or we believe you need a referral for surgery.
If any of these apply, we'll let you know clearly and connect you with the right specialist. For most patients with hormone-related symptoms, we're well-positioned to help.
Learn More About Hormone Health
Hormones influence much more than reproductive health. They can affect your energy, metabolism, sleep, mood, mental clarity, weight, and how you feel day to day. These resources can help you better understand how your hormones work together.
Hormone Optimization in Men and Women: What You Need to Know
Hormone health isn't about looking at just estrogen or testosterone. Learn how estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, insulin, and DHEA interact—and why a whole-body approach to hormone health matters.
Read the Article →
https://www.thrivecfh.com/post/hormone-optimization-in-men-and-women-what-you-need-to-know
PCOS Is Now PMOS: What Women Need to Know About Hormones, Metabolism, and Finding Real Solutions
PCOS involves much more than the ovaries. Learn about the relationship between insulin resistance, androgens, inflammation, stress, gut health, and the hormonal patterns associated with PCOS/PMOS.
Read the Article →
https://www.thrivecfh.com/post/pcos-is-now-pmos-what-women-need-to-know-about-hormones-metabolism-and-finding-real-solutions
Listen to Health Hacks: Is It My Hormones or Am I Just Tired?
Dr. Jeni St. Onge and Tara Peterson discuss the connection between fatigue and hormones—including cortisol, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and insulin—and why feeling exhausted isn't always as simple as needing more sleep.
Listen to Health Hacks: Thyroid Hacks for Women Over 40
Still feeling tired, cold, or struggling with weight changes even though your thyroid labs have been called “normal”? This episode explores thyroid function, common symptoms, and why looking at the bigger hormone and metabolic picture may help you better understand how you're feeling.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hormone Health
Q. Why Do I Have Hormone Symptoms If My Labs Are Normal?
A. Normal laboratory results can be reassuring, but they don't always explain why someone feels poorly. Symptoms such as fatigue, brain fog, sleep problems or weight changes can have many causes beyond reproductive hormones or thyroid disease.
Instead of assuming that a "normal" result means nothing is wrong—or assuming that every symptom must be hormonal—we look at what has already been evaluated, what other factors may be contributing, and what deserves a closer look. There are also some functional tests that can be very helpful that may not be part of your routine physical or lab order.
Q: What is functional medicine hormone testing and how is it different from what my regular doctor does?
A. Standard hormone testing through a primary care physician typically checks one or two values — often just TSH for thyroid or estradiol during menopause. Functional medicine testing is more comprehensive: we look at free and total hormone levels, metabolite patterns, how hormones are being cleared from the body, and the relationship between multiple hormone systems. We also use optimal reference ranges based on symptom resolution rather than population averages, which means we often identify imbalances that standard testing misses.
Q: I had my labs checked and my doctor said everything was normal. Could I still have a hormone problem?
A. Yes — this is one of the most common scenarios we encounter. "Normal" on a standard lab panel means your value falls within the reference range for the general population. That range is extremely wide and includes people with significant symptoms. A value that is technically within range may still be far from optimal for you. Additionally, standard panels often don't test the right markers — for example, TSH alone does not tell you whether your body is converting thyroid hormone properly, or whether you have autoimmune thyroid disease.
Q: Do you use bioidentical hormones?
A. Yes. When we believe you would benefit from hormone therapy is appropriate, we will recommend it for you and connect you with the right option. Bioidentical hormones that are chemically identical in structure to those your body produces naturally. These include estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone. The form (cream, patch, injection) is chosen based on your specific situation, symptom pattern, and lab results. Some options are available in our office and sometimes we need to make a referral.
Q: I'm in perimenopause. Is it too early to address my symptoms?
A. No — and in fact, perimenopause is often the best time to intervene. The hormonal fluctuations of perimenopause can be more dramatic than those of menopause itself, and addressing them early can prevent years of unnecessary suffering. Addressing root causes of hormonal balances issues early lays a great foundation for menopause and can make the transition much smoother.
Q: Can men benefit from hormone evaluation?
A. Yes. Low testosterone is common in men over 40 and increasingly common in younger men, often driven by stress, poor sleep, metabolic dysfunction, environmental factors, and nutritional deficiencies. Symptoms include fatigue, low libido, difficulty building muscle, weight gain, brain fog, and mood changes. We evaluate testosterone, DHEA, estradiol (yes, men need estrogen too, just in much smaller amounts), and related markers. Many "hormone" issues have underlying causes that non-hormonal in nature.
Q: I've been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and I'm on medication but I still feel terrible. Can you help?
A. This is very common. Most people on thyroid medication are taking T4-only therapy (levothyroxine), which requires your body to convert T4 into the active T3 form. Many people are poor converters — meaning their T4 levels look fine but their active T3 is low. This won't show up if your doctor is only testing TSH or even a T4. We run a complete thyroid panel, evaluate conversion, and work with you on whether your current therapy is actually meeting your needs. In addition, often the underlying cause of thyroid dysfunction is autoimmunity which is not even being addressed.
Q: What is adrenal fatigue and can you test for it?
A. Adrenal fatigue is a colloquial term for HPA axis dysregulation — a disruption in the feedback loop between the brain and adrenal glands that regulates cortisol production. It's not recognized as a formal diagnosis in conventional medicine, but the pattern it describes — fatigue, poor morning energy, afternoon crashes, sleep problems, poor stress tolerance, salt or sugar cravings — is real and measurable. We can use four-point salivary or dried urine cortisol testing (DUTCH test) to map cortisol production throughout the day and identify where the dysregulation is occurring.
Q: Do you offer telehealth for hormone health consultations?
A. Yes — telehealth consultations are available for patients outside the Branson area. Lab work can be arranged at a local draw site near you.
Q: How long does it take to feel better?
A. It depends on your unique situation, overall health, and how well your body responds to treatment. Most people notice changes within the first 2-3 months; others take longer, particularly if thyroid or adrenal issues require more gradual correction. We monitor labs as needed and symptoms throughout and adjust the plan accordingly.
Q: Do I need to take hormones to feel better?
A. That is a very individual situation. We prefer to use methods that do not include bioidenticals before we recommend them. It is our opinion that the least invasive option should be tried whenever possible. Many people we work with do not want to use hormone therapy. We will give you our best professional recommendations and help you make the decision that is right for you.