Living with an autoimmune disease can feel like your body is working against you, especially when hormonal imbalances involving thyroid, cortisol, or estrogen levels trigger or worsen conditions like Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. In fact, as per research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), autoimmune diseases affect between 14.7 to 23.5 million Americans, with women representing about 78% of these cases, with the majority being triggered by hormonal imbalance.
While conventional treatments focus on immune suppression, growing evidence supports natural treatments for autoimmune disease that regulate hormone function and reduce systemic inflammation. Approaches like anti-inflammatory diets, omega-3 supplementation, stress reduction, and herbs like ashwagandha or maca have shown promising results. In this blog, we’ll explore these evidence-based, natural approaches to managing autoimmune diseases sparked by hormonal shifts, giving you more control over your health, naturally.
Understanding Hormonal Imbalance and Autoimmune Diseases
Hormonal imbalances can significantly influence autoimmune diseases by disrupting immune system regulation.
– Estrogen, for instance, modulates immune responses, often enhancing antibody production. This can worsen autoimmune conditions like lupus, which disproportionately affects women.
– Low cortisol impairs the body’s ability to suppress inflammation, potentially triggering flare-ups.
– Thyroid dysfunctions—both hyper- and hypothyroidism—can also skew immune tolerance. During pregnancy or menopause, fluctuating hormone levels may either exacerbate or temporarily suppress autoimmune symptoms.
– Insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are linked to increased inflammatory markers, heightening autoimmunity risk.
These interactions highlight the endocrine system’s pivotal role in maintaining immune balance and underscore the need for hormonal evaluation in autoimmune disease diagnosis and management.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalances
– Chronic Stress: Elevates cortisol, disrupting other hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid hormones.
– Thyroid Disorders: Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism alter metabolism and sex hormone levels.
– Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Causes excess androgens, irregular ovulation, and insulin resistance.
– Diabetes: Impaired insulin production or function affects many hormonal pathways.
– Poor Diet: High sugar and processed foods affect insulin and cortisol; nutrient deficiencies impair hormone synthesis.
– Obesity: Increases estrogen production from fat cells and promotes inflammation.
– Medications: Birth control, steroids, and psychiatric drugs can alter hormonal balance.
– Menopause or Perimenopause: decline in estrogen and progesterone.
– Sleep Disorders: Poor sleep affects melatonin, cortisol, and growth hormone regulation.
– Environmental Toxins: Endocrine disruptors like BPA mimic or block hormone actions.
Signs and Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance
Here are the various hormonal imbalance symptoms:
General Symptoms (affect all genders)
– Fatigue: Persistent tiredness even after adequate rest
– Weight changes: Unexplained weight gain or loss
– Sleep disturbances: Trouble falling or staying asleep, commonly related to melatonin.
– Mood swings or depression: Estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and thyroid hormone fluctuations can impact neurotransmitter regulation.
– Brain fog: Difficulty concentrating or memory issues.
– Digestive issues: Bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
– Dry skin or hair: Slow skin turnover and oil production.
– Increased sensitivity to cold or heat
Women-Specific Symptoms Induced Due To Estrogen Dominance
– Heavy menstrual flows and bad cramps
– PMS or PMDD
– Fibroids and endometriosis
– Fibrocystic breast disease
– Anxiety/excessive worry
– Panic attacks
– Acne (especially jawline) (Androgen excess)
– Infertility
– Hair thinning or hair loss
– Hot flashes or night sweats
Men-Specific Symptoms
– Low libido
– Erectile dysfunction
– Muscle loss (impairs muscle protein synthesis)
– Gynecomastia (breast tissue growth)
– Reduced facial/body hair
Natural Treatments for Hormonal Imbalance and Autoimmune Health
Hormone imbalance is a major driver of autoimmune disease. It fuels inflammation, disrupts immune regulation, and worsens symptoms. Estrogen dominance, in particular, can be so challenging that I call it the most dangerous disease for women. It happens when there is too much estrogen compared with progesterone. I use several interventions to support hormone balance and immune health, depending on the patient’s needs.
How I Approach Hormone and Autoimmune Healing
When a patient comes to me with hormone-related symptoms and autoimmune issues, I don’t just treat the symptoms. I look at the full hormonal cascade, starting with adrenal function and cortisol, all the way through estrogen, progesterone, and thyroid balance. I use advanced lab testing to identify imbalances, then build a personalized plan that includes targeted nutraceuticals, lifestyle adjustments, and gut healing strategies. The goal is always the same: restore balance, reduce inflammation, and help the body heal itself.
Below are some supportive interventions I often use in practice to help bring hormones and the immune system back into balance. Consider what might be most helpful for your unique situation.
DIM with Curcumin: Targeted Hormone Support
DIM (Diindolylmethane), a compound found in cruciferous vegetables, helps the body shift estrogen into its “good” form (2-hydroxyestrone) and reduce the “bad” kind (16-alpha-hydroxyestrone). That shift is key for lowering inflammation and reducing risk of hormone-related cancers.
Here’s what else DIM with curcumin supports:
– Estrogen balance and progesterone support
– Increased SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), binding excess estrogen and testosterone
– Immune regulation, by reducing hormone-driven inflammation
Curcumin adds another layer of anti-inflammatory support—important for both hormone balance and autoimmune healing.
Who It’s For
– Women with PMS, perimenopause symptoms, heavy periods, or any hormonal/menstrual issues
– Individuals with hormonal acne or weight issues
– Those seeking immune and cancer support
Balanced hormones support a balanced immune system. And that’s essential for reversing autoimmune disease.
Pregnenolone: The “Mother Hormone” That Supports Balance
Hormone balance isn’t just about estrogen and progesterone. It starts at the top of the cascade with pregnenolone.
Pregnenolone is often called the “mother hormone” because it’s the raw material your body uses to produce cortisol, DHEA, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. When levels drop—whether from chronic stress, aging, or adrenal dysfunction—the entire hormonal system can get out of sync.
Here’s how pregnenolone can help restore that balance:
– Feeds the hormone cascade – Supports natural production of progesterone, DHEA, and other key hormones.
– Promotes adrenal health – Healthy adrenal glands produce pregnenolone and help regulate cortisol.
– May reduce cortisol – Lowering excess cortisol can improve immune function, reduce inflammation, and support hormone harmony.
Who Might Benefit
– Women with menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, poor sleep, or low energy
– Individuals experiencing adrenal fatigue or high cortisol
– People dealing with mood swings, brain fog, or hormone-related sleep issues
When used appropriately, pregnenolone can be a powerful tool in your hormone-balancing protocol, supporting everything from sleep and mood to energy and immune health.
Rhodiola: Adaptogenic Support for Hormones and Stress
When it comes to hormone balance, stress is often the hidden disruptor. That’s where Rhodiola rosea, a key ingredient in my Cortisol Level Reset formula, comes in.
Rhodiola is a powerful adaptogen that helps the body respond more effectively to stress. By supporting adrenal function and calming cortisol spikes, it lays the groundwork for balanced hormones and a more resilient immune system.
Here’s how it helps:
– Regulates stress response – Helps balance cortisol, the stress hormone that throws off hormone equilibrium.
– Supports adrenal health – Strengthens the body’s ability to adapt to physical and emotional stress.
– Eases menopausal symptoms – May improve mood, reduce hot flashes, and promote better sleep.
– Estrogen modulation – Research suggests rhodiola may act as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), supporting healthy estrogen function during menopause.
When to Consider It
– Chronic stress or burnout impacting hormones
– Perimenopause or menopause symptoms like mood swings, sleep issues, or fatigue
– High cortisol contributing to immune dysfunction or weight gain
If stress is disrupting your hormone health, Cortisol Level Reset may be the support your body needs.
Cordyceps: Adrenal and Hormone Support in Times of Stress
Included in: Cortisol Level Reset
Cordyceps is a medicinal mushroom with adaptogenic properties that support hormone balance by stabilizing the stress response. It’s especially useful during hormonal transitions like menopause, when cortisol spikes and adrenal fatigue are common.
Why It Matters
Stress doesn’t just wear you out, it disrupts your entire hormonal system. Cordyceps helps restore balance by strengthening adrenal function and regulating cortisol.
Key Benefits:
– Supports adrenal glands – Promotes healthy hormone production at the source
– Regulates cortisol – Helps reduce hormone-related symptoms like anxiety, hot flashes, and fatigue
– Eases menopause symptoms – May support mood, metabolism, and sleep
– Reproductive health – Research suggests benefits for both women and men
When It’s Helpful:
– Hormone symptoms are worsened by chronic stress or poor sleep
– You’re navigating perimenopause or menopause
– You need a reset for adrenal health and energy
Vitamin D: A Foundational Nutrient for Hormone Balance
Vitamin D is important for much more than bone health, because it plays a key role in regulating estrogen and progesterone. Low levels are common in women with hormone imbalances and autoimmune issues.
It acts more like a hormone than a vitamin, directly influencing how your body produces and metabolizes key sex hormones. It also improves the sensitivity of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which supports healthy hormone signaling throughout the body. Every cell in your body has VDRs, so each and every cell can benefit from optimal levels of Vitamin D.
If you’re experiencing PMS, perimenopause symptoms, or low mood, optimizing your vitamin D levels can make a significant difference. Just make sure you’re using a high-quality, absorbable form.
When to Seek Professional Help
If symptoms of hormonal imbalance and autoimmunity persist or escalate despite lifestyle changes, it’s time to seek expert guidance. Chronic fatigue, mood instability, infertility, or unresponsive inflammation may indicate deeper endocrine-immune dysfunction. Working with a specialist like Dr. David Bilstrom, a board-certified MD in functional and integrative medicine, can provide critical insights. Dr. Bilstrom is nationally recognized for addressing root causes and using natural treatment for autoimmune disease, including hormone optimization along with advanced lab testing, and personalized care plans. Professional support ensures accurate diagnosis and safe, effective treatment, especially when complex autoimmune conditions intersect with hormonal dysregulation.
