Are you having trouble falling asleep at night even though you feel exhausted and ready to doze off at other times of day? It could be that your melatonin levels are out of sorts. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, a tiny gland located within your brain. It helps control your body's sleep/wake cycles. When your body does not make enough of it — or starts releasing it at the wrong times — you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep. Here's a closer look at how to know if melatonin is to blame for your sleep problems, as well as some tips for dealing with a lack of melatonin production.

Have your hormone levels tested.

The best way to know if melatonin levels are to blame for your sleeping problems is to have your hormone levels tested. Your doctor can take a sample of your blood and determine whether or not they're in the normal range. You'll need to have this done in the evening so you get an accurate picture of your melatonin levels at the time you're typically trying to sleep.

If you're struggling to find a doctor who will test your melatonin levels, an alternative is to buy a home melatonin test. These usually require that you collect a sample of your saliva at your normal bedtime. They'll indicate whether your melatonin level is low, medium, or high. They might not be quite as accurate as a blood test administered by your doctor, but they are certainly more convenient. 

Supplement melatonin if needed. 

If you find that your melatonin levels are low at bedtime, the best thing to do is supplement melatonin. There are many supplements available over the counter at health food stores and drugstores. Follow the instructions on the label; you'll usually need to take a pill about a half hour to an hour before you plan on sleeping. The supplement will raise your melatonin levels so you have an easier time drifting off. 

Over time as you take melatonin supplements, your body will re-adapt to your melatonin levels being higher at night and may stop releasing excess melatonin in the daytime. Some patients find that after taking supplements for a few months, their body starts doing a better job of self-regulation, so they can stop taking the supplements. Others need to stay on the supplements permanently, or else they struggle to sleep again. You'll figure out what works for you through trial and error. 

For more information, contact local professionals like Alaska Natural Health Solutions.