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Hormonal Baseline Shift

Meaning

A Hormonal Baseline Shift describes a sustained, long-term alteration in the typical homeostatic concentration range of a specific hormone or a complex of hormones within the body. This shift moves the physiological “set point” to a new, often suboptimal level in response to chronic stressors, aging, or prolonged pharmacological exposure. Clinically, a shift in the baseline, such as a chronically elevated cortisol level or a suppressed thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), indicates a fundamental adaptation of the endocrine system that requires targeted intervention to restore the healthier, previous equilibrium. It is a critical marker of allostatic load and endocrine fatigue.