Hormone & Metabolic Optimization

Functional Medicine for Thyroid, Adrenal, Sex Hormone & Metabolic Health

A Systems-Based Approach to Hormone & Metabolic Health

Hormones influence every system in the body—including metabolism, energy, mood, thyroid function, menstrual and reproductive health, sleep quality, stress resilience, and blood sugar regulation. When hormones become imbalanced or the metabolic system is overwhelmed, symptoms rarely stay isolated. Instead, they appear throughout the body as fatigue, weight changes, mood swings, PMS, hot flashes, brain fog, digestive disruption, anxiety, insomnia, and blood sugar instability.

At Denver Sports & Holistic Medicine, Dr. Martina Sturm provides a root-cause, functional medicine approach to hormone balancing and metabolic repair. Every protocol is personalized using advanced diagnostics, targeted lifestyle strategies, mitochondrial restoration, and nervous system support to optimize hormones from the inside out.

This approach is ideal for both in-person and telemedicine patients, particularly those with complex, chronic, or multi-system symptoms.

Conditions We Commonly Support

• Thyroid dysfunction (hypothyroidism, Hashimoto’s, subclinical thyroid issues)
• Adrenal dysregulation and chronic stress
• PMS, PMDD, and irregular menstrual cycles
• Perimenopause and menopause transitions
• Estrogen dominance and progesterone deficiency
• Low testosterone and androgen imbalance
• Blood sugar instability, insulin resistance, and prediabetes
• Metabolic syndrome and difficulty losing weight
• Chronic fatigue, burnout, and mitochondrial dysfunction
• Post–birth control hormone imbalance
• Post-viral and post-trauma metabolic dysregulation

Our Root-Cause Approach to Hormone Optimization

Hormonal symptoms rarely originate from the hormones themselves. In most cases, they reflect deeper dysfunction in metabolism, detoxification capacity, stress physiology, inflammatory burden, and cellular energy production.

Our care model focuses on restoring these upstream systems so hormones can regulate naturally and sustainably.

We address:

Thyroid, Adrenal & HPA Axis Function

Thyroid hormones control metabolism, temperature regulation, weight, and cognitive function.
Adrenal hormones influence stress resilience, blood sugar, energy, and inflammation.

We assess and support:

• Free T3, Free T4, TSH, and reverse T3
• Adrenal cortisol rhythms
• Thyroid antibodies
• Mitochondrial energy output
• Chronic stress patterns and vagus nerve function

Sex Hormone Balance (Women & Men)

Hormonal imbalance presents differently across life stages and between sexes.

For women: PMS, irregular cycles, heavy or light periods, perimenopause, menopause, and mood shifts
For men: low testosterone, fatigue, sleep disruption, and metabolic decline

We restore balance by supporting:

• Healthy estrogen-to-progesterone ratios
• Testosterone levels and androgen metabolism
• Detoxification pathways for hormone clearance
• Anti-inflammatory and metabolic nutrition
• Stress modulation and nervous system regulation

Metabolic Health & Insulin Sensitivity

Metabolic dysfunction directly impacts weight regulation, cravings, inflammation, and long-term hormone stability.

We support:

• Insulin resistance and glucose dysregulation
• Blood sugar instability and energy crashes
• Sugar cravings and appetite imbalance
• PCOS-like metabolic patterns
• Weight gain and metabolic slowdown

→ Metabolic Health & Weight Loss

Gut-Hormone Axis Support

A healthy microbiome is essential for estrogen clearance, thyroid hormone activation, and cortisol balance. Gut inflammation or dysbiosis can perpetuate hormone imbalance even when hormone levels appear “normal.”

Gut repair is often a necessary step in stabilizing hormones.

→ Gut Health & Digestive Restoration

Detoxification Pathways for Hormone Clearance

Hormones can only balance effectively when liver and detoxification pathways are functioning properly. Environmental toxins—including mold, plastics, endocrine disruptors, and heavy metals—can overwhelm hormone signaling and clearance.

→ Detoxification & Environmental Medicine

Mitochondrial Repair — The Foundation of Metabolic Health

Mitochondria regulate cellular energy production, inflammation, glucose handling, thyroid signaling, and sex hormone synthesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction is often the missing link in chronic fatigue and stubborn metabolic issues.

→ Longevity & Mitochondrial Health

Nervous System Regulation for Hormonal Balance

Chronic stress suppresses thyroid activity, depletes progesterone, elevates cortisol, destabilizes blood sugar, and overwhelms adrenal capacity.

We use:

• Acupuncture
• Vagus nerve and autonomic regulation
• Bioenergetic therapies
• Breathwork and parasympathetic training

→ Bioenergetic & Nervous System Therapies

Functional Lab Testing

We use advanced diagnostics to uncover root causes and guide precision treatment, including:

• DUTCH hormone mapping
• Comprehensive thyroid panels with antibodies
• Cortisol rhythm assessment
• Gut microbiome and SIBO testing
• Mitochondrial markers
• Nutrient deficiencies (magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, iron, copper)
• Blood sugar and insulin markers
• Detoxification and liver function markers

→ Advanced Functional Lab Testing

Common Symptoms of Hormone or Metabolic Imbalance

• Persistent fatigue or a “wired but tired” feeling
• Bloating and irregular bowel habits
• PMS, mood swings, anxiety, or low mood
• Hot flashes or night sweats
• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
• Hair thinning, hair loss, or brittle nails
• Low libido
• Insomnia or disrupted sleep
• Brain fog, poor concentration, or memory issues
• Feeling easily overwhelmed or stress intolerant

Why Patients Choose Dr. Martina Sturm

• Deep expertise in complex, chronic, multi-system hormone cases
• Integrative approach combining TCM, acupuncture, and functional medicine
• Advanced diagnostic testing
• Telemedicine available
• Personalized, root-cause treatment plans
• Safe, gentle, evidence-based interventions

Ready to Restore Your Hormones & Metabolism?

Hormone balance is not about chasing levels — it’s about restoring the whole system. If you’re experiencing fatigue, mood shifts, weight changes, cycle issues, or metabolic slowdown, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hormone & Metabolic Health

1. Why are my hormones out of balance?

Hormones shift in response to deeper root causes such as chronic stress, thyroid dysfunction, gut imbalance, inflammation, toxin exposure, chronic infections, blood sugar instability, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Lasting hormone balance requires addressing these underlying systems rather than treating hormones in isolation.

2. Can hormone imbalance happen even if my labs look “normal”?

Yes. Standard labs often miss functional imbalances. We use advanced markers such as DUTCH hormone testing, cortisol rhythms, thyroid antibodies, and metabolic indicators that provide deeper, more clinically relevant insight.

3. How long does it take to see improvements?

Most patients begin noticing changes within 4–12 weeks. More complex or chronic conditions may require several months, depending on stress load, toxin exposure, metabolic health, and overall resilience.

4. Do you treat thyroid conditions like Hashimoto’s or subclinical hypothyroid?

Yes. We address autoimmune triggers, nutrient deficiencies, stress physiology, gut health, inflammation, and detoxification capacity that influence thyroid function and hormone signaling.

5. Can functional medicine help with perimenopause and menopause?

Absolutely. We support estrogen–progesterone balance, adrenal function, sleep quality, metabolism, vasomotor symptoms, brain fog, and mood shifts using holistic, individualized protocols.

6. Is this safe if I’m already on medications?

Yes. Functional medicine complements conventional care. Protocols are designed to be safe, gentle, and coordinated with existing medications while minimizing interactions.

7. Do you offer telemedicine for hormone and metabolic care?

Yes. Most hormone and metabolic conditions can be evaluated and treated through telemedicine using functional testing, virtual consultations, and personalized treatment plans.

8. What symptoms can hormone imbalance cause?

Hormone imbalance can contribute to fatigue, weight resistance, anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, brain fog, low libido, menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, night sweats, hair loss, acne, and blood sugar instability. Symptoms vary depending on which systems are affected and rarely involve a single hormone alone.

9. Can stress alone disrupt hormones?

Yes. Chronic stress alters cortisol rhythms, suppresses thyroid conversion, impairs progesterone production, worsens insulin resistance, and increases inflammatory signaling. Nervous system regulation is often foundational for restoring hormonal balance.

10. Do gut issues affect hormones?

Yes. The gut plays a critical role in estrogen metabolism, thyroid hormone conversion, cortisol regulation, and insulin signaling. Dysbiosis, leaky gut, and inflammation can directly contribute to hormonal imbalance and resistance to treatment.

11. Can toxins and mold affect hormone balance?

Yes. Environmental toxins and mold mycotoxins can disrupt endocrine signaling, interfere with hormone receptors, impair liver detoxification, and worsen estrogen dominance, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal stress. Detoxification support is often essential for hormone recovery.

12. Is hormone imbalance connected to weight gain or metabolic resistance?

Yes. Insulin resistance, cortisol dysregulation, thyroid dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, and inflammatory signaling all influence metabolism. Addressing hormonal and metabolic drivers together is key for sustainable weight regulation.

13. Do you use bioidentical hormones or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?

Yes, when appropriate. Bioidentical hormone therapy may be considered as part of a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan. However, the primary focus is on restoring the body’s own hormone regulation, signaling, and resilience rather than relying solely on hormone replacement—especially in premenopausal women.

When hormone therapy is used, we utilize bioidentical hormones only and do not use synthetic hormones. All decisions are made carefully, based on clinical evaluation, functional testing, symptoms, and long-term health considerations.

14. Can hormone balance improve sleep and energy?

Yes. Balanced cortisol, thyroid hormones, melatonin, estrogen, and progesterone are essential for restorative sleep and daytime energy. Improving hormonal signaling often leads to significant improvements in sleep quality and fatigue.

15. Is hormone imbalance reversible?

In many cases, yes. When underlying drivers such as stress physiology, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysfunction, toxin exposure, and metabolic instability are addressed, hormone signaling can often normalize or significantly improve.

16. Do hormones affect brain health and mood?

Yes. Hormones influence neurotransmitters, neuroinflammation, blood sugar regulation, and mitochondrial energy production. Imbalances can contribute to anxiety, depression, irritability, poor focus, and cognitive decline.

17. How do you personalize hormone treatment?

Care is individualized using a combination of symptom patterns, functional lab testing, metabolic markers, lifestyle factors, and treatment response. Protocols are adjusted over time as physiology stabilizes and hormone signaling improves.