How There Is A Co
Wait, arent thyroid hormones and cortisol supposed to be two separate hormone systems? Isnt TSH the hormone produced from the thyroid gland and cortisol from adrenal gland? Well yes, that is true, but dont be surprised when we tell you that the two hormones come not only in contact with each other but have a significant impact on one another. Not sure what youre reading is right? Let us simplify it for you so that you are able to ensure that both your thyroid and adrenal glands are working as best as they can.
Are Cortisol Blockers Harmful To Your Thyroid
Given how little we know about cortisol blockers outside of their effectiveness in treating medical conditions like Cushing’s, it is best to avoid products labeled as cortisol blockers. In addition, people who live with a thyroid condition should be especially wary of cortisol blockers, as manipulating your cortisol levels can directly affect your thyroid.
With this, it may seem plausible that taking a cortisol blocker could help increase thyroid hormone in your body. However, there is no research to show that cortisol blockers effectively regulate thyroid hormones. And, because the body so tightly controls hormones, it comes as no surprise that manipulating one hormone may have consequences on other hormone levels.
Addressing 80 Percent Of Sleep Issues
Last year, I developed my Adrenal Transformation Program, and was thrilled when the results of clients who went through the program showed that 81 percent were able to resolve their sleep issues!
I developed this program, and the corresponding Adrenal Support Kit, after further study of my clients that had issues with sleeping. I found that they usually had other symptoms that would co-occur with their sleep issues, such as brain fog, sore throat, hoarse voice, digestive issues, persistent blood sugar swings, and hormonal issues, that werent always resolved with my Root Cause approach of dietary changes, adrenal support, and magnesium.
Before I became the Thyroid Pharmacist, my parents and hubby would joke that I should have been a professional analyst, because of how I love to analyze things and find patterns. I love to look at common patterns I see in my clients, to come up with researched-based methods that can alter the patterns.
My love for finding patterns led me to these common conclusions in those who experienced insomnia:
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How Is Hashimotos Disease Treated
If Hashimotos disease does progress to hypothyroidism, usual treatment is a synthetic form of thyroid hormone called levothyroxine .
This drug restores the normal function of the thyroid. Youll need to take it every day for the rest of your life. Your providers and you will figure out how to adjust your dose to make sure that your hypothyroidism is kept under control.
A Number Of Issues To Look Out For Before Considering Thyroid Hormone Treatment
If, for example, you have a cortisol imbalance, you first need to work at correcting this, since a person may show symptoms of thyroidism without actually having the condition. The adrenal glands need to be healthy before thyroid hormone replacement therapy is introduced. Lower levels of magnesium may also influence the action of thyroid replacement therapy. It may also result in heart problems.
The gut, which is also influenced by adrenal fatigue and thus cortisol, needs to be healthy, as an unhealthy gut negatively affects thyroid hormone absorption.
Of course, other factors are also involved, such as certain nutrient shortages.
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Diagnosing Hypothyroidism And Adrenal Insufficiency
Both hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed using laboratory tests.
Hypothyroidism is diagnosed by looking at blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone , as well as T3 and T4. High levels of TSH and low levels of T3 and T4 indicate a problem with the thyroid gland.
The first step to check for adrenal insufficiency is doing a cortisol blood test. If cortisol levels are low, the next step is an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test.
ACTH is a hormone released by the pituitary gland that stimulates the adrenal glands to release cortisol. During this test, synthetic ACTH is given and cortisol levels in the blood are measured 30-60 minutes later. If cortisol levels do not appropriately increase after ACTH is administered, primary adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed.
If primary adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed, other hormone levels like renin and aldosterone are measured. Imaging studies, including ultrasound, computed tomography , or magnetic resonance imaging , can be done to look for abnormalities in the adrenal glands.
Is There A Special Diet For People With Hashimotos Disease
There is no special diet for Hashimotos disease, but some foods, medicines or supplements may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine, your thyroid medication. These include iron and calcium supplements, the ulcer medicine sucralfate, cholestyramine and aluminum hydroxide . Taking these four hours before or after the levothyroxine may solve this problem.
Talk to your doctor about any dietary questions you have.
Eating well and a healthy lifestyle exercising, sleeping well and controlling stress can help your immune system. No matter what, youll need to keep taking your medications if you are diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
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Mild Insufficiency Even If Recognized Often Does Not Require Cortisol Supplementation
A person can greatly reduce their demand for cortisol by taking steps to eliminate stress in their life, by getting a good nights sleep, by assuring that they have time for enjoyable activities, by moderate daily exercise, by getting proper nutrition and taking supplements, by eliminating any foods from their diet to which they are allergic , by identifying and by identifying and treating any ongoing infections in their body . The best physicians to help with these kinds of problems are those trained in Functional Medicine.
Adrenal Dysfunction Is A Modern Disease
My old modus operandi was literally insane.
Id like you to stop and think about what our adrenal hormones are supposed to do for us in terms of our anthropological survival:
Short bursts of intense stress hormones would actually be quite helpful in keeping us alive.
Today, we are chronically running from every proverbial saber tooth tiger. Those tigers are ev.er.y.where.
Tigers are the triggers for turning us into Type A people whether we want to be or not.
And, as a consequence our adrenal hormones are TURNED ON.
Like a constant and steady stream of adrenaline and cortisol pumping to keep us alert, focused, on-task and successful, our adrenals do not take breaks.
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Some Of The Causes Of Hashimotos Disease Include:
Nutrient deficienciesGluten intolerance and Celiac diseaseLeaky gutAdrenal disordersFood intolerances
Lets face it, the food we eat today is depleted of nutrients, processed, and covered with chemicals! Commonly prescribed medicines and over-the-counter medicines can also cause nutrient depletions. Acid blockers can cause deficiencies in iron, B vitamins, calcium, zinc, and selenium. All of these nutrients are important for thyroid hormone production. Birth control pills deplete magnesium, selenium, vitamin B, C, and zinc. These nutrients are involved in helping our immune system and thyroid production. Antibiotics block B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and iron absorption, as well as destroying our beneficial flora in the gut. Hypothyroidism patients have a diminished ability to extract minerals and vitamins from their food sources, further worsening the problem.
Nutrients most important to optimal thyroid function include selenium, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin E, potassium, iodine, and zinc. Patients with Hashimotos can also have low stomach acid levels due to hypothyroidism and cant digest proteins . They can become deficient in tyrosine and glutamine which both play roles in thyroid function and immunity.
Saliva Hormone + 4 Point Cortisol Test
Saliva testing is an easy and noninvasive way of assessing your hormone balancing needs, and is proving to be the most reliable medium for measuring hormone levels.
In addition to measuring sex hormones, saliva hormone testing can also give accurate information about your cortisol levels, when drawn at 4 points during the day.
This gives clues about where the diurnal cortisol curve is out of balance and how nutrition and lifestyle can help.
If cortisol is out of balance, then you can bet sex hormones are out of balance as well.
Remember, there is constant interplay between sex hormones, adrenal hormones, thyroid hormones and many others!
I suggest the following saliva hormone test for the clients I work with remotely: Salivary Hormone Panel by Diagnostechs. It costs $379 but is valued at over $600.
Whats Being Tested:
Cortisol DHEA FSH SIgA
The good folks at True Health Labs allow you to directly order labs that make the most sense for your health condition, allowing you to better participate in the overall management of your health.
If you do order these labs, be sure to take them with you to your next provider appointment.
Show them that you are willing to do what it takes to get the correct information for the best treatment plan possible.
Working with me through the customized Adult Advanced Program is the best way to utilize saliva hormone test results for optimal dietary and lifestyle enhancements.
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How Nutrition Can Help
Nutrition can really make a huge impact on your adrenal health. I know this from first-hand experience.
My clients asking for the magic pill to help them combat their adrenal fatigue are met with my recommendation for food and lifestyle remedies.
There really is no secret to this.
Taking care of yourself is the only answer.
Adequate Levels Of Cortisol Are Essential To Health And Quality Of Life
This fact is becoming increasingly clear to doctors who are trying to help people by natural scientific methods. In fact, cortisol is the foundation of the entire endocrinesystem. It is essential for our adaptation to the demands of life, yet all other major hormones counteract it. If a person does not make sufficient cortisol, their quality of life is low. They also cannot tolerate or benefit from the optimization of their thyroid, estrogen, DHEAS or even testosterone levels. By trying to help patients with fatigue and pain with natural methods and by performing saliva testing for cortisol levels, Dr. Lindner has learned that partial cortisol deficiency is common, especially among women. Women have lower cortisol levels/effects and responses than men do.
Cortisol deficiency accounts for womens much higher incidences of fatigue, anxiety, depression, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune diseases.
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Addison’s Disease And Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is a rare but recognized disease in which the adrenal hormonal output falls below a level that meets established clinical parameters. It affects about four out of 100,000 people and is diagnosed with blood testing. In this case, if blood tests results are abnormal we know the adrenal glands are structurally dysfunctional and the patient needs lifelong steroid replacement.
Addison’s disease is often caused by an autoimmune dysfunction, whereas stress, either physical or emotional, is the primary culprits of Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome. The symptoms of Addison’s disease include low energy, joint and abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, fever, and electrolyte imbalances. Some Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome sufferers report these symptoms too, but they are usually much less intense unless in advance stages.
Possible Complications That Might Arise Due To Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism could certainly have a negative impact on your quality of life. If left untreated, you run the risk of further complications.
You run the risk of becoming infertile if a woman
Low levels of the thyroid hormone as well as certain hypothyroidism causes an increase in your chances of infertility.
Your child may have birth defects
If gifted with a baby while having untreated hypothyroidism, your child stands a higher risk of having birth defects. Among these defects are included developmental as well as physical problems.
Your mental health may suffer
Hypothyroidism may decrease your mental functioning, or result in depression, which may become more severe in time.
You may develop heart conditions
People with hypothyroidism, especially when left untreated, tend to have higher levels of bad cholesterol. The condition may also result in heart failure or an enlarged heart.
You may develop a goiter
When the thyroid gland receives constant stimulation to produce more hormones, it tends to enlarge. A goiter is thus an enlarged thyroid. This condition may, in some people, result in difficulties with regards to breathing or swallowing.
You may develop myxedema
Myxedema may be triggered by infections or certain medications. The condition may be life-threatening and includes symptoms such as drowsiness, an intolerance to low temperatures, lethargy, and falling unconscious.
You may develop peripheral neuropathy
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What Is Adrenal Fatigue
Your adrenal glands produce hormones that help your body respond and deal with stress.
When your stress levels are too high, or theyre elevated for too long, your adrenal glands can no longer keep up with the demand, and your anti-stress hormone levels plateau or plummet. This is known as adrenal fatigue.
Adrenal fatigue is incredibly common, thanks to the chronic stress most of us face on a daily basis.
Symptoms of adrenal fatigue include:
- Exhaustion and fatigue
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling tired but wired
- Being a slow starter in the morning
- Feeling dizzy when you stand up too fast
- Poor reactions to caffeine, alcohol, sugar, or fragrances
- Unexplained weight gain or weight loss
Notice that many of these symptoms are also hallmarks of a thyroid problem. Its no surprise that most doctors overlook the adrenals and jump straight to blaming the thyroid. In reality, the issue is usually more multifactorial, thanks to the complex relationship between the two.
How Did This Crazy Life Become The Norm
Isnt it so darn easy to get caught up in this rat race? Keeping up with the so-and-sos? To do more, be more, be better, look better, be more successful, more productive?
To appear like a Type A person, even if we feel Type Z and just need a break?
Its pretty much socially acceptable to be a crazy woman.
Moms, you know this. Other moms validate this for us.
Mom-life is a non-stop merry-go-round of illustrating to each other how damn busy we are.
And, joking about it.
Until its not funny.
And, that is when in addition to any other triggers for autoimmune disease stress becomes the straw to break the camels back.
Most women I see in my practice are just like me.
Work and do-everything-aholics until the body says HELL NO.
And, what does that look like?
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Primary Common Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue/chronic Fatigue Syndrome
This is the most common and major causes of adrenal fatigue. I have said it in many previous articles: our bodies were never created to handle the amount of stress that we face on a daily basis. The adrenal glands were meant to deal with sudden acute stress situations they cannot deal with chronic, prolonged, stress effectively. We live in a world where the majority of people have some type of chronic stress, job, relationship, finances, which over a period of months and years even, will wreck havoc on the adrenal glands, resulting in adrenal fatigue.
Poor eating habits
Allow me to be blunt, eating poorly will definitely affect the health of your adrenal glands and will eventually contribute greatly to adrenal fatigue. This is even truer for those that constantly eat crappy refined carbohydrates, which many people fit under this category. The reason why this affects the adrenal glands is that refined foods have both the nutrients and the fiber from the whole food source REMOVED. These foods no longer have the fiber component to slow down the absorption even though the manufacturers do replace some of the removed nutrients. Are you ready for this? This means that when you eat refined food, it very quickly absorbs into the bloodstream and spikes up your blood sugar levels. So when somebody has a habit of eating refined carbohydrates all throughout the day their blood sugar levels are going to spike up and come crashing down hard, over and over again.
Not eating regularly
How Is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis Treated
Patients who are hypothyroid as a result of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis are treated with thyroid hormone replacement. Though there is no cure, the disease can be managed relatively easily. Thyroid hormone replacement medications come in pill form, and when taken daily as prescribed by your physician, can reverse all ill effects of hypothyroidism within weeks. Thyroid hormone replacement for Hashimoto’s thyroiditis is usually taken for the rest of a patient’s life.
Sometimes, in mild cases, no treatment is necessary and the physician will just follow the patient on a regular basis to see if their condition is worsening and if thyroid hormone replacement is required.
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Clinical And Epidemiological Characteristics
Altogether 442 patients had the combination AAD and autoimmune hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism , after excluding patients with nonautoimmune primary adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism . Sixteen patients were found to have both autoimmune hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, which leaves a total prevalence of thyroid disorders in the AAD cohort of 48%. Sex, age at presentation, autoantibody status, and frequency of concomitant autoimmune diseases were recorded . Seven of these patients had autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1 the remaining had autoimmune polyendocrine type-2 . The proportions of women were 71% and 77% in the groups with hypothyroidism and GD, respectively. The prevalence of hypothyroidism was 50% among women and 29% among men. Eleven percent of women and 5% of men were diagnosed with GD. GD patients had a median age 33.5 years at the onset of AAD, while patients with hypothyroidism had a median age of 36 years. Thyroid disease had a median onset of 38 years for hypothyroidism and 33 years for GD. The temporal relationship between the onset of AAD and thyroid disease is shown in , demonstrating great diversity in onset . Simultaneous onset, defined as diagnosis within the same year, of AAD and thyroid disease was most common in hypothyroidism, occurring in 31% of patients. Median year of diagnosis for AAD was 2000 , which emphasizes that our study represents long-term follow up data.