9. Toxicity
Toxicity, like inflammation, is a broad term that can refer to any number of factors and causes and subsequently affect any number of endocrine glands.
For example, lead toxicity causes severe adverse effects on the hypothalamus and pituitary systems. This results in the disruption of at least seven different hormones, and in the long-term is tied to certain cancers and skeletal disorders (17).
10. Gut Issues
The impact of the digestive system on endocrine (and overall) health and wellness cannot be overstated (18).
Any significant digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and/or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) will have an effect on the endocrine system and your hormones (19). For that matter, chronic yet mild digestive problems can also impact hormone production and effectiveness.
It’s a two-way street: hormonal imbalance can also cause digestive distress (20).