Page 33 - Winter2017

mation is now thought to be the root cause of tea, chocolate, soft drinks)
the majority of chronic diseases. The adrenal • Chronic pain and/or illness
hormone cortisol is used by the body to put the • Chronic or severe allergies
inflammatory fire out. (Cortisone shot, any- • Trauma, injury, surgery
one?) Cortisol is made from cholesterol. If you • Corticosteroids (prednisone, cortisone)
experience chronic inflammation, your body • Synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid).
preferentially makes cortisol to put the fire(s) out
at the expense of making the sex hormones. The If you have afternoon sluggishness, think adrenal insufficiency. Other
hormonal symptoms experienced may simply signs of adrenal weakness include general fatigue, difficulty falling asleep
be a natural compensatory imbalance second- despite exhaustion, lack of libido, sugar cravings (especially for a "lift"),
ary to inflammation. Those people with lower low blood pressure, arthritic tendencies, increased perspiration, swollen
cholesterol levels are even more susceptible to ankles, allergies, tendency to asthma, poor circulation, cold hands and
this imbalance. feet, constipation, aversion to hot weather, low cholesterol, dizziness, salt
Our adrenal glands are our glands of sur- cravings, brown spots or bronzing of the skin and nervous exhaustion.
vival. They produce numerous hormones that
are necessary in assisting the body to handle DON’T FORGET THE THYROID
inflammation and stress. Ideally, we function If you have morning sluggishness despite adequate sleep, think “thy-
best living in a state of acute or occasional stress roid.” The number one symptom of low thyroid function (hypothyroid)
and long periods of rest or peace. Unfortunately, is fatigue or exhaustion. Brain fog may also be a part of the hypothyroid
many people living in our modern hurried picture. Hair loss and chipping or peeling nails without other symptoms
culture experience just the opposite—chronic is usually not thyroid. Look for the classic signs first. Other symptoms
stress with occasional rest. can include ovarian cysts, tinnitus, tendon and ligament problems as well
The body prioritizes hormone pathways as the propensity towards injury (chronic muscular and skeletal injuries).
to address chronic stress and inflammation Also commonly seen in hypothyroidism is infertility, insulin resistance,
by directing the lion’s share of pregnenolone constipation, anxiety, depression and night blindness, which is often due
down the adrenal steroid pathway. The result to the liver not converting beta-carotene to vitamin A. Ringing in the
is unavailable pregnenolone for the creation of ears, edema (especially of the face) and weight gain, though not always,
sex drive. (Can you say “low libido”?) In the are common symptoms of low thyroid function. Those persons with
body’s wisdom, one cannot successfully deal primary hypothyroidism tend to prefer warm weather (whereas adrenal
with chronic stress and procreate, especially in insufficiency people prefer cool weather).
the absence of adequate cholesterol to provide Hypothyroidism is often overlooked. It is important to work with
the necessary parts for both the adrenal and a trained practitioner who understands the merits of extensive thyroid
sex hormone pathways. The bottom line is to testing along with observation of one’s symptoms. Thorough thyroid
take care of the inflammation issues first and testing includes serum levels of TSH, total T4, total T3, free T4, free
give your body the chance to self-regulate your T3, T3 uptake, reverse T3, free thyroxine index T7, thyroxine-binding
challenges. globulin (TBG), thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO ab) and thyroid
Common stressors that can lead to adrenal antithyroglobulin antibody (TAA). Assessment by a trained health care
dysfunction include: practitioner experienced in supporting thyroid disorders is key.
Additional tests that are useful in any hormone-balancing endeavor
• Unresolved emotional stress (anxiety, fear, include temperature charting, DUTCH Test (sex and adrenal via dried
worry, anger, guilt, depression) urine), salivary hormone testing of sex and adrenal hormones, serum
• Late hours, insufficient sleep testing of hemoglobin A1c, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel along with
• Overwork, either physical or mental, in- phosphorus and a Complete Blood Count. Also, an in-office Ragland’s
cluding excessive physical exercise test is helpful in monitoring adrenal status as well as a Page graph for
• Nutritional deficiencies an understanding of inherent endocrine function potential.
• Refined sugar (white sugar, brown sugar,
corn syrup, fructose, dextrose, dextrin, GET STARTED ON BALANCING
high fructose corn syrup, etc. found in most Foundational to recovery from bioidentical hormone therapy and to
processed foods) hormone balancing is establishing steady blood sugar levels as well as
• Overconsumption of caffeine (coffee, black a healthy sleep routine. One of the common complaints of menopausal

WINTER 2017 Wise Traditions 33