Many patients who come to my St. Louis office with anxiety already know the common triggers—stress at work, financial worries, relationship struggles, or traumatic events. But often, when someone feels anxious all the time, the root cause isn’t just psychological. It can be physical, metabolic, or even nutritional.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine), we specialize in uncovering the “hidden” reasons behind persistent anxiety. By addressing these underlying factors, we can often reduce symptoms without relying solely on medications.

1. Hormonal Imbalances

Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate mood, energy, and stress response. When they are out of balance, anxiety is a common symptom.

• Thyroid dysfunction: Both an overactive (hyperthyroid) and underactive (hypothyroid) thyroid can cause anxiety, palpitations, and restlessness.
• Sex hormones: Low estrogen in women (especially during perimenopause) or low testosterone in men can worsen mood and trigger anxious feelings.
• Cortisol: Known as the stress hormone, cortisol should rise in the morning and fall at night. When it stays elevated all day—or spikes at night—it drives constant worry and nervous energy.

Through functional medicine hormone testing, we evaluate estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol rhythms to uncover hidden imbalances.

2. Nutrient Deficiencies

Your brain depends on nutrients to produce neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, which regulate mood and calm the nervous system. Even mild deficiencies can lead to anxiety.

• Magnesium: Often called “nature’s relaxer,” magnesium helps muscles and nerves relax. Low levels can cause jitteriness and anxiety.
• B vitamins (B6, B9, B12): Essential for producing serotonin and dopamine. Deficiency can worsen mood disorders.
• Vitamin D: Low vitamin D is linked to both anxiety and depression.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Support brain health and reduce inflammation that can trigger anxious thoughts.

We often run advanced nutrient panels to find these deficiencies and correct them with diet or supplementation.

3. Gut Health and the Microbiome

The gut and the brain are directly connected through the gut-brain axis. About 90% of serotonin—the “feel good” neurotransmitter—is made in the gut. If the gut microbiome is imbalanced (a condition called dysbiosis), it can increase inflammation, alter brain chemistry, and worsen anxiety.

Other gut-related factors include:

• Leaky gut: Increased intestinal permeability allows toxins and inflammatory molecules into the bloodstream, affecting mood regulation.
• Food sensitivities: Gluten, dairy, or processed foods may contribute to inflammation and anxiety in some people.

Addressing gut health through probiotics, prebiotics, and individualized nutrition is a core part of our functional medicine approach.

4. Blood Sugar Imbalances

Many patients are surprised to learn that swings in blood sugar can mimic and worsen anxiety.

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia): Can trigger shakiness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and nervousness—symptoms often mistaken for panic attacks.
• Insulin resistance: When the body has difficulty processing sugar, blood sugar spikes and crashes lead to irritability, brain fog, and anxiety.

Stabilizing blood sugar through balanced meals, adequate protein, and reducing processed carbohydrates often improves both mood and energy.

5. Inflammation and Chronic Stress

Chronic inflammation—whether from autoimmune disease, environmental toxins, or even hidden infections—affects the brain’s chemistry. Inflammation disrupts neurotransmitters and can trigger persistent anxious feelings.

Likewise, chronic stress keeps the body in a constant “fight-or-flight” state, raising cortisol, adrenaline, and blood pressure. Over time, this damages the nervous system and leaves the brain more prone to anxiety.

At Sheen Vein, we use tools like advanced inflammation markers, hormone testing, and stress resilience therapies (such as red light therapy with PEMF) to help reduce the underlying stress burden on the body.

Putting It All Together

For many patients, anxiety isn’t just “in their head”—it’s a symptom of something deeper. Hormonal shifts, nutrient deficiencies, gut imbalances, blood sugar swings, and chronic inflammation all play powerful roles in how the brain and body regulate mood.

The key is not simply managing symptoms with quick fixes, but identifying and correcting these root causes. This is where functional medicine makes a difference.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been feeling anxious all the time and haven’t found relief with traditional approaches, it may be time to look deeper. By uncovering hidden causes of anxiety, we can create personalized treatment plans that restore balance to both body and mind.

At Sheen Vein (Aesthetics and Functional Medicine) in St. Louis, we combine functional medicine, regenerative therapies, and individualized care to help patients reduce anxiety, regain energy, and feel more like themselves again.

👉 Call our office today to schedule your consultation and start uncovering the hidden reasons behind your anxiety.

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