Yes, a hormone imbalance can cause anxiety, but this anxiety is usually part of a group of symptoms which would suggest to your physician that a particular hormonal disorder is present. It would be quite rare for anxiety to be the only symptom in the case of a hormone imbalance. Also, anxiety and a hormonal disorder may coexist yet be unrelated.
Hormonal or endocrine disorders that may cause anxiety include thyroid gland overactivity (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) or underactivity (hypothyroidism or myxedema), adrenal gland overactivity (hyperadrenalism or Cushing’s syndrome), parathyroid gland overactivity (hyperparathyroidism) or underactivity (hypoparathyroidism), and the premenstrual syndrome (see below). Hormonal drugs like steroids (cortisone, prednisone, and others) occasionally have anxiety-like side effects.
When anxiety is caused by a hormonal disturbance, correction of the underlying problem should relieve the symptoms. A comprehensive evaluation of anxiety should include attention to the endocrine system.
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