The Thyroid-Adrenal-Pancreas Axis
In expanding to gastrointestinal and blood sugar disorders, adrenal gland dysfunction is the most ordinarily seen imbalance in today's society. Adrenal gland imbalances are also one of the major factors that cause thyroid hormone imbalance. Stress from work, relationships, electronics, poor diet choices such as consumption of refined carbohydrates and trans fats, infections, and environmental toxins all conduce to adrenal disorders.
Potassium IOdide
The Adrenal Glands
The adrenal glands are about the size of a walnut and lie on top of the kidneys. The outer adrenal cortex comprises eighty percent of the gland and produces many hormones along with cortisol and Dhea from cholesterol. Ninety percent of the cholesterol in the body is made by the liver and only ten percent comes from the diet. Cholesterol converts into the hormone pregnenolone in the adrenal cortex which then converts to cortisol, the stress hormone, or Dhea, the sex hormone source, immune enhancer and anabolic. Cortisol is our "fight or flight" stress hormone. Cortisol slows down digestion, suppresses immune function and raises blood sugar as a survival mechanism when we are under stress. The qoute arises when this becomes continuing and over time, elevated cortisol will tear down your body. Cortisol is secreted on a circadian rhythm with top output in the morning that gently tapers off as the day progresses. Sleep is when our bodies fix and rejuvenate but high cortisol during sleep will prevent this from happening.
Hormones Secreted by the Adrenal Glands
Dhea
Dhea (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor to estrogens, progesterone and testosterone. Dhea is very important for immune ideas function and anabolic (building up) processes in the body. Dhea levels begin to decline after age thirty-five but cortisol can remain elevated during continuing periods of stress. Low Dhea levels are also found in diseases such as many sclerosis, cancer, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis and of course, thyroid disorders.
Healthy adrenal glands are required for the conversion of inactive T4 into active T3.
When the adrenals have reached a state of fatigue, they are no longer producing enough cortisol or Dhea. This leaves individuals more susceptible to continuing diseases from an inability to compensate for the stresses they encounter on a daily basis. It is very important to treat the adrenal glands before commencing treatment of the thyroid. expanding thyroid hormone output while the adrenals are in fatigue can overwhelm the adrenals and lead to further exhaustion. I have found that once the adrenal glands are wholesome and the other related system/factors related with thyroid imbalance are optimized, there is no need to treat the thyroid directly.
The inner medulla produces adrenalin and noradrenalin also known as norepinephrine and epinephrine. The cortex is under the operate of hormones produced in the brain and the medulla is under the operate of the nervous system.
Healthy adrenal glands are vital for women who are peri- and post-menopausal. The adrenal glands are responsible for producing the majority of sex hormones in a menopausal woman once the ovaries stop functioning. If the adrenal glands are fatigued and not ready for menopause, there will be an embroidery of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, sleep problems, bone loss, mood swings, depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness. wholesome adrenals ensure an easy transition into menopause and beyond. A vast majority of the women I see in convention arrival menopause with adrenal fatigue important to severe menopausal symptoms and hormone dysfunction.
Aldosterone
Aldosterone is produced by the cortex and causes sodium absorption and potassium excretion. Low salt diets and high water intake put a major stress on the adrenal glands to preserve as much salt as possible as the blood becomes more diluted from the extra water intake. One of the easiest ways to contend wholesome adrenals is to consume a half- teaspoon of unrefined celtic sea salt every morning with a few glasses of water. It's important to consume half of your bodyweight in ounces of water every day but it must be balanced with salt to take off stress from the adrenal glands.
Cortisol
Cortisol is also produced by the cortex which increases blood sugar when it is low or if the body is under stress. Cortisol will cause glucose output in the liver or it will strip muscle tissue of protein to make glucose. Excess cortisol over long periods of time can increase the risk of diabetes due to prolonged blood sugar elevations.
Adrenaline
Adrenaline produced by the adrenal medulla will also raise blood sugar if there is stress on the body. Adrenaline will also increase fat circulation so that it can be burned as energy. This is not a good scenario for someone who is sitting at a desk and under major stress. Large amounts of fat and sugar floating in the bloodstream should be utilized to run from a saber-toothed tiger which is our built-in survival mechanism. If there is no activity, the excess sugar will be converted into fat and stored mainly around the mid-section, hips and thighs.
The adrenal cortex communicates with the pituitary gland and hypothalamus in the brain. The hypothalamus reads the number of circulating hormones and tells the pituitary to make hormones that directly tell the cortex to make hormones. This is called the Hpa axis or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
All hormones are secreted on a circadian rhythm over a 24-hour period. Cortisol is especially representative of this rhythm as cortisol output is the top in the early morning and then gently tapers off as the day progresses. Cortisol levels are bottom at night so that the body can fix itself to the best of its ability. You lose two-thirds of your stored sugar while sleeping and cortisol output ensures balanced blood sugar during the night. If the adrenals are fatigued, you may have issue staying asleep as the body will make adrenaline to raise blood sugar due to inadequate cortisol output which is enough to wake you up. If your adrenals are in overdrive with too much cortisol production, then you probably have issue falling asleep. If you are a slow starter in the morning, your adrenals are probably fatigued and can't make enough cortisol to raise blood sugar and get you going in the morning.
The adrenals will go through phases of adaptation to stress beginning with elevated cortisol due to the preliminary stress. In the second stage, the adrenals will begin to use sex hormone precursors to make cortisol and Dhea will drop. The final stage is adrenal exhaustion/fatigue when the adrenals can no longer yield cortisol and Dhea. If you have adrenal gland dysfunction you may have the following symptoms:
Can't fall asleep
Can't stay asleep
Fatigue
Salt or sugar cravings
Allergies
Slow to start in the morning
Headaches
Weakened immune system
Ulcers
Need to eat to relieve fatigue
Irritable before meals
Shaky or lightheaded if meals are missed
Blurred vision
Crave caffeine or cigarettes
Feeling full or bloated
Dizziness
Asthma
Varicose veins
Hemorrhoids
Remember that the hormone aldosterone made in the adrenal cortex regulates blood volume through sodium retention and potassium excretion. If you have the following symptoms you have low aldosterone levels indicating adrenal gland dysfunction:
Craving salt
Fluid retention in the arms and legs
Pupils do not stay constricted when exposed to light
Rough or sandpaper tongue
Excessive excretion - up to 15-20 times/day
Excessive sweating even without activity
Your natural doctor will order a salivary hormone profile to measure cortisol output at four separate times throughout the day. This allows your doctor to study adrenal gland dysfunction during all parts of the day and will dictate the type of treatment you will receive. Symptoms cannot adequately diagnose if the adrenals are in fatigue or if they are hyperfunctioning. This is why testing is so vital to properly compare adrenal gland function. In addition, it gives a baseline to compare to follow-up testing so treatment can be adjusted accordingly.
Blood sugar is intricately related to adrenal gland function and vice versa. Chronically elevated cortisol levels from adrenal stress will cause insulin receptor insensitivity. This basically means that when insulin binds to cell receptors to allow glucose (blood sugar) entry into the cell, the receptors may not sass which leaves sugar floating in the blood stream. Remember that excess sugar will be converted into fat and stored mainly around the abdomen, hips and thighs. This also puts extra stress on the pancreas to make more insulin to deal with the excess blood sugar which increases the risk of diabetes. As discussed earlier, cortisol is very important for blood sugar stability.
Hypoglycemia is a health in which there is inadequate cortisol to raise blood sugar into the normal range. We normally see adrenal fatigue and hypoglycemia together. Hypoglycemics organize symptoms of low blood sugar and need to eat something to normalize blood sugar levels. They may feel shaky, irritable, light-headed, fatigued or may crave sugar because their adrenal glands cannot raise blood sugar into the normal range. Once hypoglycemics rejuvenate their adrenal glands, the symptoms will subside. It's important for hypoglycemics to eat oftentimes throughout the day and not skip meals. Each meal should be a composition of protein, carbohydrates and fats as a low-carb meal or too many carbs will further throw off blood sugar levels.
You may ask which comes first - adrenal dysfunction or blood sugar dysfunction? It doesn't matter because when one starts to come to be imbalanced so goes the other. This is also important to understand in treatment because both aspects should be addressed at the same time for optimal results.
So how does all this communicate to optimal thyroid function? In the episode on thyroid hormone physiology, we discussed the enzyme that converts inactive T4 (thyroxine) into active T3 (triiodothyronine). Remember that 93 percent of the hormone produced by the thyroid is inactive T4 until it is activated mainly in the liver by an enzyme. Cortisol directly inhibits this enzyme (5'-deiodinase) which converts inactive T4 into active T3. This in part can lead to low T3 levels. In addition, elevated cortisol will cause thyroid hormone receptor insensitivity meaning that even if T3 levels are adequate, they may not be able to bind normally to receptor sites. Cortisol will also increase the output of reverse T3 which is inactive. Cortisol can also lower the levels of protein that binds to thyroid hormone so it can circulate in a stable structure. Iodine, as you know from a previous chapter, is very vital to thyroid health but high levels of cortisol will increase the excretion of iodide from the kidney. And finally, elevated cortisol will inhibit Tsh (thyroid-stimulating hormone) output by disrupting hypothalamic-pituitary feedback important to suboptimal Tsh output in the range of 1.0-1.5. Has your doctor adequately assessed your adrenals before treatment? It is very irresponsible for any doctor to treat thyroid hormone dysfunction without wholly assessing adrenal gland physiology and of course, blood sugar.
Regarding cortisol's consequent on thyroid hormones, Werner and Ingbar's The Thyroid: A basal and Clinical Text, (8th edition), states: "Serum Tsh, Tbg (thyroid-binding protein), T4 and T3 concentrations are slightly decreased, albeit normally within the respective ranges of normal; serum free T4 values are normal."11
As discussed in our episode on the liver, impaired detoxification can lead to abnormal thyroid function. Again, the adrenals come into play because elevated cortisol inhibits permissible liver detoxification. It is sometimes significant to preserve liver detoxification pathways while treating the adrenal glands and thyroid to optimize results and metabolize toxins, excess hormones and thyroid-disrupting chemicals. Signs of impaired liver detoxification consist of nausea, constipation, bloating, lack of response to treatment, acne, acne during menstrual cycle, medication sensitivity, and pale skin upon pressure.
There is also a noteworthy Adrenal-Gut relationship as well. Elevated cortisol levels gently eat away at the immune ideas that lines the gastrointestinal (Gi) tract. Cortisol also increases inflammation in the Gi tract and prevents the cells that line the Gi tract from regenerating which increases the risk of ulcers. This leads to increased infections from parasites, yeast, mold, fungi, viruses, and bacteria which further stresses the adrenal glands creating a vicious cycle. Leaky gut is another consequence of chronically elevated cortisol levels which is a health in which gaps open in the intestinal fence allowing undigested proteins and toxins to enter the bloodstream uninhibited. This puts a major stress on the body's immune ideas and can lead to immune dysfunction, adrenal stress, continuing fatigue and thyroid hormone imbalance.
Adrenals that are functioning at a low level tend to exhibit various symptoms and patterns. Adrenal-fatigued population normally have to run on caffeine and sugar throughout the day to keep going. They are dragging out of bed and say, "I need my coffee before I can do anything." This is a sad state because it indicates an very unhealthy private who requires a legal drug just to function. These individuals crave sweets and crash many times throughout the day, especially in the afternoon, and need a "pick me up" such as another cup of coffee or something sweet. This further drives blood sugar and hormone imbalances important to weight gain, insomnia, fatigue and an underactive thyroid gland. In addition, these population can normally fall asleep without problems but will wake up during the night. This happens because there is inadequate cortisol output to stabilize blood sugar so the adrenals publish adrenaline instead which raises blood sugar but is also too stimulatory resulting in waking up and insomnia.
People with adrenal hyperfunctioning normally cannot fall asleep because there is too much cortisol output which has an excitatory consequent on the nervous system. There are many possible causes of elevated cortisol that lead to too much cortisol output and at last adrenal fatigue. The following cause adrenal stress:
Anemia - red blood cells cannot deliver oxygen to body tissues Blood sugar imbalances Low cholesterol - statin medications such as Lipitor, Crestor, Zocor, etc. Infections Gums Urinary tract Gastrointestinal Mold, yeast or fungus Lyme Disease/Tick-Borne Infections Chronic virus Dehydration - especially in athletes or those who fly oftentimes (it is important to drink half of bodyweight in ounces of water every day) Poor dietary habits (skipping meals, high intake of simple carbohydrates, etc.) Eating foods you are sensitive/allergic to Leaky gut Liver detoxification issues Essential fatty acid deficiencies Not enough sleep Overexercise Emotional stressors (usually severe) Heavy metals Autoimmune adrenals Chronic use of Ssris (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, Prozac, etc.) Chronic pain Environmental toxin exposures - damages mitochondria Surgical menopause Chronic tissue injury or inflammation (autoimmune condition)
It takes a great deal of time and attempt to do the permissible detective work to find out why someone is ill. The supplements covered here are meant to complement diet and lifestyle changes. In order for a treatment plan to be successful, it is very important that the following guidelines are adhered to without deviation.
Adrenal stimulants will disrupt your treatment plan and consist of the following:
Inadequate sleep
Eating sugar/simple carbohydrates
Caffeine and decaffeinated beverages
Nicotine
Alcohol
Food allergies
Trans fats (hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils)
Artificial sweeteners
Excess exercise
As long as blood sugar levels are out of balance, it will be very difficult to restore permissible adrenal function. convention the following guidelines to ensure stable blood sugar levels:
Always eat morning meal that includes more protein than carbohydrates Eat every two to three hours Snack on protein and fat such as nuts, eggs and seeds Do not drink juice - this includes All juices which are nothing more than plant sugar Consume protein at every meal
Blood sugar imbalances and a health known as insulin resistance are major factors in optimizing thyroid and adrenal health. Insulin resistance basically means that insulin receptors are no longer able to sass to insulin. Insulin binds to receptors and allows blood sugar to enter cells. With insulin resistance, insulin's effects are negated leaving excess blood sugar. The following symptoms can indicate insulin resistance:
Fatigue
Sugar cravings
Abdominal obesity
High blood pressure
Inability to lose weight
Always feeling hungry
Fatigue after meals
Aches and pains all over
High cholesterol, glucose, and triglycerides
Low Hdl ("good" cholesterol)
Remember that impaired liver detoxification can significantly work on optimal thyroid hormone function. Elevated insulin levels will cut glutathione levels inhibiting the liver's quality to detoxify. This will work on the conversion of inactive T4 into active T3, increase thyroid-disrupting chemicals and may lead to excess estrogen levels which inhibit thyroid hormone function.
Thyroid hormone's main function is to regulate metabolism through the burning of sugar, fat and protein. Insulin resistance prevents enough sugar vehicle into the cell decreasing the available fuel for vigor production. This puts an increased strain on the thyroid to make more hormone and can at last lead to hypothyroidism.
We have already discussed the significance of adrenal gland function and its relationship to optimal thyroid health. The following supplements will help to accurate adrenal gland dysfunction. It's very important to have the adrenal hormones cortisol and Dhea tested to ensure accurate treatment. Adaptogens are compounds that help to normalize the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. They will help adrenals that are in a state of fatigue, high stress or a composition of both. The feedback loop of the Hpa axis is key in balancing adrenal hormones, and adaptogens are vital in healing this process.
Supplements That Help accurate Adrenal Gland Dysfunction
Magnolia & Phellodendron
Magnolia is a tree native to the rain forests of China. Its bark has been used for a variety of restorative purposes along with the regulation of stress and anxiety. Phellodendron grows in northeastern China and Japan. Together, these extracts restore cortisol and Dhea output in the adrenal gland. They bind to stress hormone receptors promoting leisure and feelings of well-being.
Perilla oil & Mcts
These significant oils have natural stress-reducing effects. Perilla oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which stimulate fix and are anti-inflammatory. Mcts cut cell acids and help to yield vigor in the cell's mitochondria. Mcts are easy to assimilate and metabolize which is very important for those with delicate stomachs and impaired absorption.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that is similar to panax ginseng. It has the quality to normalize adrenal stress syndromes. Stress responses can have many adverse affects on health and this herb will cut these effects.
Eleutherococcus
Eleutherococcus senticosus is an adaptogen that supports the Hpa axis under times of stress as well as improve athletic performance. Eleutherococcus will improve bodily work capacity as well as brain function when under stress.
Panax Ginseng
Panax ginseng is also known as Korean ginseng and is an adaptogen. Panax ginseng optimizes the functioning of the Hpa axis. It has been shown to improve bodily performance, endurance and vigor production. Panax ginseng will shift metabolism into a fat-burning state as opposed to a sugar-burning state due to an increase in oxygen availability for muscles.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola is beloved in original Eastern European and Asian healing systems. Rhodiola is an adaptogen that has been shown to improve immune function and brain function. It also has antidepressant properties, protects the heart and protects against cancer. Rhodiola will prevent adrenaline roller coasters due to high stress.
Holy Basil
Holy basil is an adaptogen that reduces cortisol output from stress, supports blood sugar, has antihistamine properties, optimizes the functioning of the Hpa axis, improves the integrity of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, improves immune function, and enhances athletic performance.
Pantethine
Pantethine is required for adrenal hormone production. However, it will not over-stimulate cortisol output under times of stress but has the opposite effect.
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabara)
Licorice contains compounds that increase the half-life of cortisol which removes stress on the adrenal glands to yield more cortisol. It also has been shown to boost the immune system, cut inflammation and also reduce/minimize allergic responses. Licorice is antibacterial and antiviral. Due to estrogen's negative consequent on thyroid function, licorice is of great advantage because it helps normalize estrogen metabolism.
Pregnenolone
Pregnenolone is the "mother of all hormones" and is made from cholesterol in the adrenal gland. Pregnenolone converts into cortisol, Dhea, testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. Pregnenolone is a noteworthy antioxidant and has been shown to boost mood, improve memory and optimize brain function.
Dhea
Dhea is made by the adrenal glands and will convert into estrogen and testosterone. In men, it will mainly convert into estrogen and in women, Dhea will mainly convert into testosterone. Dhea has its own effects along with resensitizing insulin receptors, boosting the immune system, preventing bone loss, improving memory and lowering cholesterol. When under stress, the body will make cortisol at the charge of Dhea.
Phosphatidylserine
Phosphatidylserine's many advantage is its quality to lower cortisol levels by optimizing the brain's relationship with the adrenal glands. After only ten days of high doses of Ps, investigate has shown that inordinate cortisol levels can be decreased in wholesome men. Ps has also been shown to improve brain function and memory, decrease anxiety and depression, improve mood, and improve metabolism. It is also an antioxidant. It is very difficult for the body to make Ps as it requires many nutrients for production. Supplementation is vital for optimizing adrenal function so cortisol cannot have its negative effects on the body and the thyroid.
Supplements that equilibrium Blood Sugar
Blood sugar imbalances will greatly work on the quality of your thyroid to function optimally. The following supplements are vital in balancing blood sugar.
Huckleberry/Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
The extract from the leaves of this plant has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and has been used traditionally to treat diabetes.
Galega Officinalis (French lilac)
This plant has been utilized since the Middle Ages in the treatment of diabetes. French lilac lowers blood sugar by decreasing insulin resistance. Prescribe medications for blood sugar operate such as Metformin are derived from the active ingredients in French lilac.
Gymnema Sylvestre
Gymnema sylvestre has been shown to regenerate the beta cells in the pancreas that yield insulin. This herb will improve the effects of insulin, cut fasting blood sugar, decrease the need for insulin and help with insulin resistance. It will not cause a state of hypoglycemia, however.
Chromium
Chromium stabilizes blood sugar and insulin levels after meals. It will also ensure optimal delivery of blood sugar into your cells. Deficiencies in this nutrient can lead to insulin resistance, high cholesterol and abnormalities in sugar's quality to bind to red blood cells.
Zinc
Zinc's role in blood sugar supervision includes optimizing insulin metabolism, protecting insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas and improving insulin sensitivity which ensures optimal uptake of sugar into your cells.
Vanadium
Vanadium is very important for insulin resistance by improving vehicle of sugar into your cells due to its insulin-like effects on cell receptors.
Alpha lipoic acid (Ala)
Ala is another important nutrient for insulin resistance and is also a strong antioxidant. Ala increases vigor output by your cells, optimizes sugar metabolism and lowers lactic acid levels.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E should not be taken in its alpha tocopherol form. Mixed tocopherols along with gamma and delta tocopherol are the favorite form of delivery. Vitamin E improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood fats, is a noteworthy antioxidant and lowers the so-called "bad" Ldl cholesterol.
Biotin
Biotin is important in supporting the liver's utilization of sugar. This nutrient will improve insulin's effects as well as lower blood sugar levels after meals.
Magnesium
Entire books have been written on the king of minerals. Magnesium is involved in practically 350 reactions in the body and deficiencies in our community are rampant. Magnesium scantness will lead to insulin resistance and abnormal sugar metabolism. Magnesium appears to improve insulin secretion by the pancreas.
L-carnitine
L-carnitine is a di-peptide composition that shuttles fatty acids in the cell to be burned as energy. Carnitine has similar effects on blood sugar by supporting sugar vehicle into cells.
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