Melatonin Deficiency: Symptoms, Causes, and When to Seek Help

Suppose you constantly struggle to get quality sleep. In that case, you may attribute it to common factors like stress and other lifestyle factors, not knowing that a melatonin deficiency could be the underlying cause.

Melatonin is the hormone that controls the sleep-wake cycle, and its low level can interfere with your ability to fall asleep or wake up feeling fresh. It targets potential deficiencies that can alter restful sleep.

Here, we will explore melatonin deficiency, learning about its causes, symptoms, and treatments to promote more revitalized sleep and boost overall health.

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a hormone the pineal gland produces to help regulate the sleep cycle. This secretory gland is in the brain and circulates in the bloodstream to control adequate sleep. Melatonin levels are produced on a schedule, releasing high levels at night and low levels during the day.

Signs & Common Symptoms of Melatonin Deficiency

When a person is melatonin deficient, symptoms can be apparent in various ways, and they usually affect mental and physical health.

Here are common signs of melatonin deficiency to look out for:

Tiredness and Sleepiness During the Day

If you are more exhausted during the daytime than at night, then melatonin might contribute. This symptom appears in those with low melatonin levels, making an individual unable to stay awake even after a whole night’s rest. It can impact your daily productivity, make you feel burned out, and cause you to lose focus on achieving your tasks.

Reduced Antioxidant Capacity

One thing antioxidants do for you is that they help to protect you against cell damage. So, its depletion could be a problem that can potentially cause various health problems, including neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s, and other immune-weakening disorders. Melatonin deficiency weakens the body’s antioxidant defense and can expose you to harmful free radicals, resulting in an increased risk of various diseases.

Signs of Aging (Wrinkles and Dark Under-Eye Circles)

Melatonin supports healthy sleep and skin, and its low level can lead to elastin and collagen breakdown, resulting in dark circles and wrinkles, which are premature aging signs. Its deficiency can also affect overall vitality, making a person appear older than their real age.

Restlessness

Proper sleep typically lasts 7 or 8 hours, and you can easily achieve this if your hormones regulate vital bodily functions. But a melatonin deficiency can disrupt your hormone balance, impacting restful sleep and overall health. Restlessness can be due to an altered sleep schedule, mood swings, and increased anxiety or stress.

Insomnia

Insomnia is a direct consequence of melatonin deficiency, caused by a continuous lack of sleep. When the hormone level is lowered, it disrupts the body’s natural sleeping pattern, making it challenging for people with insomnia to initiate and maintain sleep.

Metabolic Disorders

Melatonin imbalance may affect metabolism, increasing the risk of diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders. Poor energy regulation and glucose metabolism can lead to the development of these disorders.

Weight Gain

Melatonin deficiency has been strongly associated with weight gain and considerable difficulties in weight management. Low melatonin levels can significantly disrupt your metabolic processes, causing noticeable changes in how you desire food and a shift in fat metabolism.

Chronic Exhaustion

People who are melatonin deficient often experience chronic exhaustion and fatigue, which can significantly impact daily functions. The hormonal disorder stops the body from regulating natural sleep patterns, causing low energy levels, overwhelming feelings of tiredness, and sluggishness. Sometimes, it may be challenging to perform routine tasks and maintain productivity.

Hypertension

Melatonin also plays a crucial role in blood pressure regulation. When at low levels, it can significantly contribute to the increased risk of hypertension, which may also be sustained, causing increased cardiovascular complications.

What Causes Melatonin Deficiency?

Research suggests that melatonin deficiency may be linked to various factors, including the following:

Age and Disease

Aging can significantly impact melatonin production because its levels decline substantially over time. With this, elderly individuals over 90 may experience a decrease in melatonin levels compared to younger people.

Neurobiological diseases can interfere with melatonin production, leading to issues like dementia, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s, which are all contributors to sleep disorders and related symptoms. The connection between disease and age highlights the need to focus on sleep health in aged people and those affected by neurodegenerative disorders.

Light Exposure

The pineal gland naturally releases melatonin to help regulate the sleep-wake cycle. However, exposure to light from screens and other artificial sources, particularly in the evening, can suppress melatonin production, leading to sleep disorders. The brain is tricked into thinking it is daytime, making it difficult to fall asleep.

Melatonin Signal Disruptions

Melatonin sends signals to the body to initiate sleep, but it might not do this at a low level. Usually, the receptors must function properly to support good sleep. So, when disrupted, it becomes harder for melatonin to do its job.

When Can You Seek Help, and How to Treat/Manage Melatonin Deficiency

You can seek help if you are experiencing the following:

• Chronic tiredness and depression

• Persistent sleep disturbances

• Irritability or intense mood swings

• Heightened blood pressure or hypertension

• Mood swings or irritability

Different approaches are applied when treating melatonin deficiency, and it solely depends on a patient’s melatonin levels. Your health care provider might suggest a dose of a supplement, which could do the trick for you, while lifestyle changes like practicing relaxation techniques, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and limiting exposure to light before bedtime might work for someone else.

Conclusion

A complete understanding of melatonin deficiency will help you address sleep-related issues when you notice them. Knowing about the symptoms, identifying causes, and knowing when to seek help can become a proactive approach to regulating proper sleep-wake cycles. Think about improving your overall well-being rather than struggling with sleep disturbances. So if you suspect a melatonin imbalance, consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance and support.