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ByDR. M. SCUNZIANO, MD, NMD

03/26/2015

ADRENAL & THYROID GLANDS WORKING TOGETHER:

DISCUSSION ON HOW TO PROTECT THESE MAJOR STRUCTURES

OF THE HUMAN BODY

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Contents:1) What are glands?2) Adrenal glands3) Thyroid gland4) The interplay of adrenal & thyroid5) Factors that maintain healthy function6) Negative influences on the glands7) What if a gland is damaged or removed?8) Conventional treatments for abnormalities 9) Other healthful helpful information10) References

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Groups of cells or body tissues that manufacture (synthesize) substances known as biochemicals such as hormones, enzymes, immune defenses and other body regulators. These substances are moved from the glands either

1) directly into the bloodstream 2) into body cavities3) outside of the body onto the skin

WHAT ARE GLANDS?

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The glands of the body include: Adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid, pineal, pituitary, lacrimal (secrete tears), salivary, thymus, breasts, pancreas, ovaries, testes, sweat glands.

Other tissues that function as glands include: heart, stomach, kidneys, adipose or fat cells, placenta.

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Glands can be classified as:

1) Endocrine: the glands are stimulated by nerve impulses to secrete their substances DIRECTLY into the surrounding bloodstream to immediately affect a target organ, muscle or other body tissue. They are considered DUCTLESS. The ADRENALS & THYROID are both endocrine glands.

2) Exocrine: glands secrete their substances via DUCTS to a target site to regulate a region. For example, the pancreas sends enzymes via ducts or tubes into the small intestine to help digest food. Exocrine glands have more sub-classifications that we will not cover in this discussion.

3) Heterocrine: both endocrine and exocrine capacities; the pancreas is an example of this type as it sends secretions directly into the blood and also via ducts to other organs.

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ADRENAL GLANDS (AD= on, RENAL=kidney)

These are 2 in total, each one sitting atop each of the 2 kidneys of the human body shaped like a small pyramid. One gland is approximately 10 grams (the weight of 2 nickels) and no larger than a walnut in its shell in size.

The adrenals are ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE. If one gland is sacrificed or absent, the other will work efficiently to provide the body with the following in order to survive and protect itself from collapse:

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1) Hormones that support blood pressure and the entire cardiovascular system (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and more)

2) Hormones that regulate water and electrolyte balance (aldosterone, cortisol)

3) Hormones to protect the body against inflammation and injury (cortisol)

4) Sex hormone production for both women and men; in women, post menopause, the adrenals become the main source of estrogen after the ovaries cease function (pregnenolone, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, estrone and more)

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5) Sugar/carbohydrate regulation (cortisol)

6) Fat distribution (cortisol)

7) Utilization of fat and protein for energy (cortisol)

The base molecule for adrenal hormone manufacture is CHOLESTEROL. This is then converted into all the hormones that we rely on for life!

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Adrenal glands are stimulated/activated into high gear under increased stress by:

1) The brain when one senses danger, pain or other stress2) Other hormones that may be reduced or elevated

The ADRENALS are working to maintain life at any moment so that if one is faced with STRESS, i.e. pain, bad news, a sudden unexpected event or anticipation of an upcoming event, it is the ADRENAL glands that are right on and ever ready to safeguard and protect the person from harm or breakdown.

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BUT,…one must also have another gland working well to support the adrenals and that is THE THYROID GLAND.

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THYROID GLAND

A “shield or butterfly shaped” organ located in the lower front of the neck just under the VOICE BOX (thyroid cartilage) and is not easily felt by touch unless ENLARGED (GOITER). The gland has right and left lobes connected in the center of the neck by an ISTHMUS. It is larger in size than the adrenal gland put together: can weigh 18-50+ grams. The ENLARGEMENT or HYPERTROPHY of the gland is called a GOITER and it is indicative of stresses on the thyroid gland.

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WHAT DOES THE THYROID DO?

1) Metabolism2) Growth and

development3) Body weight4) Body temperature5) Digestive function6) Brain function-

cognition, memory, etc.7) Fertility

8) Skin, hair and nail (integument) integrity

9) Total energy levels10) Sleep cycles11) Libido, sex drive12) It contains the

PARATHYROID glands, a group of 4 glands that regulate calcium

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Thyroid hormone (thyroxine) is formed in the gland with the help of tyrosine (an amino acid that is formed from another amino acid, phenylalanine) and iodine. Both tyrosine and iodine MUST be present to form thyroid hormones.If the thyroid gland is NOT working well as a result of genetics, exposures to radiation, lack of nutrients or some other destructive element, it will cause a DYSREGULATION of different body functions and this will happen in conjunction with the ADRENAL GLANDS that will be sensing a malfunction of the system. The CONVERSE is true as well!

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INTERPLAY of ADRENAL & THYROID GLANDS

A LOW functioning adrenal gland will alter the thyroid gland by reducing the thyroid’s ability to convert its stored hormone T4 into an active one, T3. If, on the other hand, a thyroid function is lowered by some mechanism, the adrenal gland will be alerted and send out stress hormones, i.e. cortisol and catecholamines like adrenaline (epinephrine) that stimulate the body and can cause the following:

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1) increased heart rate 2) anxiety 3) irritability 4) exhaustion 5) bowel loosening or constipation6) mental confusion or memory shortage

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Excess ADRENAL cortisol secretion can alter the T3 to EXCESS! This leads to a very irritable body! This must be measured and confirmed for a better understanding.

NOTE: These are not the only symptoms and the 2 glands are not the only factors involved in the total dysfunction of the person. A person who presents with symptoms above will need to be reviewed and assessed for several possible causes but the GLANDS must be analyzed carefully in order to prevent the exclusion or oversight of their VERY SIGNIFICANT functions.

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FACTORS THAT HELP KEEP GLAND FUNCTION HEALTHY

1) Proper diet with WHOLE FOODS and little-to-no junk in food or drink.

2) Daily exercise of the entire body and this does not include task performing such as shopping, laundry or pulling weeds! It does include good-paced or power walks, runs, playing a sport, working on exercise equipment, etc. for approximately 30 minutes daily. It is best to divide into intervals of 10-15 minutes AM and PM.

3) Avoid exposure to excess radiation, electronics, computers and other electrical or harmful wave emitting devices

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4) Avoid INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL EXPOSURE by using safety measures, i.e. masks, gloves and other gear to protect the body

5) Use ONLY reputable and high quality supplements or compounds.

6) Follow instruction for use of hormone replacement and do not carelessly avoid or manipulate dosing without a legitimate health care provider to guide and follow you.

7) Seek out as much information you can on family lineage with regard to health problems to determine your risks by genetics

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8) REDUCE YOUR STRESS LEVELS MAXIMALLY. Take out all those items from your life that are causing you PAIN, ANGER, FRUSTRATION, IRRITABILITY.

9) Join an group for support at any level and for any cause that you need help

10) Contribute your time and energy into helping others- humans or animals. Working to help a greater cause will invigorate and relax your mind and contribute to the health of your glands.

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NEGATIVE FACTORS ON GLAND FUNCTION

CONSTANT STRESS. When you are always in a FIGHT OR FLIGHT mode, your adrenals and thyroid glands are STRESSED. A chronic situation will lead to the poor functioning of both these systems that will, in turn, cause damage to the entire body. For example, chronic stress leads to UNDERREGULATION OF BODY SYSTEMS with EXCESS BIOCHEMICAL SECRETIONS and the eventual development of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer

JUNK FOODS. Processed, sugary, dairy, artificially sweetened & colored foods are all NUTRIENT DEPLETING and body system wreckers. Take them out now and avoid them. Why would you take these products anymore if you know they are nothing but a menace to you????????????

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RADIATION. In the form of xrays, scans, electronics, excess sun exposure (basking or out in direct sunlight for more than 30 minutes without cover), certain medications and supplements that can have radioactive materials in them. The THYROID gland is particularly sensitive to all of this and it WILL DECLINE in function.

CHEMICALS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE BODY. It is prudent to know what you are exposing yourself to whether it be a hair chemical, a fumigant, topical lotion or gel, type of water or drink. All of these items can negatively affect our gland function. Moreover, internal formation of abnormal substances as a result of outside exposures will lend to the breakdown of gland and organ function. Remember PESTICIDES AND GERMICIDES IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME WILL CAUSE TROUBLE if not kept in check or eliminated. CHILDREN are most vulnerable followed by the senior most members of society.

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AGE. As indicated, CHILDREN & ELDERLY are susceptible to the harmful environmental exposures mentioned above. All gland function will begin to decline by age 35. It is a very slow process but can be accelerated by above factors.

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REMOVAL OR INJURY BY ILLNESS RE: ADRENAL OR THYROID

1) Your glands may need to have their hormones replaced if either or both do not function properly.

2) If there is a surgical removal of one or other gland, replacement is usually needed. This would be true for a COMPLETE gland removal.

3) Partial removal of a gland may not call for replacement.

4) If a thyroid gland is ABLATED by RADIOACTIVE IODINE due to GRAVES HYPERTHYROIDISM, you are likely going to need a replacement of the thyroid hormone because the gland will end up UNDERACTIVE. This is lifelong.

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4) If you have an ADRENAL insufficiency like ADDISON’s disease, you will need lifelong adrenal hormone replacement.

5) ALL CANCERS of either gland are usually surgically removed (unless you have an alternative natural form of treatment) and hormones replacement may or may not be necessary, depending on how much of tissue is removed.

6) PARATHYROID removal (if complete) in cancers of the thyroid will require lifelong replacement of calcium/vitamin D. The parathyroid glands are tiny (size of a rice piece) located in the tissue of the thyroid itself and these glands regulate calcium movement in and out of blood. Surgeons will try to save one or more of the parathyroid glands so that there is less of a need for replacement.

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For THYROID disease:

Hyperthyroidism or over active thyroid function. This results in symptoms such as: hyperactivity, rapid weight loss, diarrhea, heart pounding, eyes bulging forward, hair loss, irritability, depressed or anxious mood and inability to concentrate. If left unchecked or untreated, heart dysrhythmias and heart disease

CONVENTIONAL TREAMENTS…

is likely; osteoporosis can occur; mental disability and loss of vision are all possible. The condition is either medically or radioactively blunted. The result is usually hypothyroidism that will in turn require thyroid hormone replacement.

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Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid function. A slow gland activity will cause sluggishness, low energy, slow reactions, slow reflexes, memory loss, brain fog, weight gain, loss of hair, nail breakage, constipation, infertility, menstrual irregularities, depression and more. This is usually treated with a SYNTHETIC form of thyroid hormone.

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Adrenal insufficiency or ADDISON’s disease. Lifelong replacement of cortisol and other hormones. Not very commonly diagnosed but we are seeing forms of this in terms of adrenal stress that is recognized in NATUROPATHIC circles as ADRENAL EXHAUSTION. Conventional medicine is not actively treating the latter condition with any particular pharmaceutical or regimen.

For ADRENAL disease:

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Adrenal Overactivity, Primary Hyperaldosteronism or CONN’s SYNDROME. This is an excess secretion of aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid (an adrenal steroid that regulates salt and water balance). This condition results in high blood pressure and swelling. It is treated with antagonists to aldosterone such as a med known as SPIRINOLACTONE.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR GLAND PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN

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It is PRUDENT to know what is wrong with your glands if you are suspecting a problem. The first order of business would be to consult your healthcare provider. You will need guidance because of the multitude possible causes for your symptoms as they appear. Having knowledge of FAMILY history will be a good idea and may help the provider understand more about your condition and tailor the diagnostic program to meet your specific needs.

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It is not wise to ASSUME that you have what someone else you know has. If your mother, sister, brother, boyfriend or neighbor has a condition with fatigue and other disturbing symptoms and YOU DO ALSO, DO NOT CONCLUDE THAT YOU HAVE THE SAME CONDITION!! This is often assumed and the person in question will panic or become stressed not knowing if he/she even has such a condition.

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DO NOT simply go on the internet and have the diagnosis set based on what you read. There are many inherent problems with self-diagnosis, especially when it involves your organs that may be at high risk. DO NOT rely on a television program either. Your condition needs to be seen up close and personal by a qualified health provider.

AVOID taking several supplements because you read it in the paper or a publication by someone who “KNOWS ALL ABOUT YOUR PROBLEM”. Be careful of these traps that can lure you when you are desperate or refusing to seek professional help.

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I advise you to be VERY WARY of all over-the-counter products that are advertised as substances to take away your problem. You should proceed with caution and ask questions of the person who is selling the product- in a retail store or even on the internet. Many people are spending and WASTING money on products that do not work or can potentially be harmful. If you do not know how the substance truly works or if it interacts with drugs you use or must be taken with other nutrients, you really should not use it until these items are KNOWN!!

The use of WHOLE FOODS is generally the best way to help yourself.

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Take time to understand the foods and read or ask questions on how they can help (or hinder) your gland functions. Take a look:

Cruciferous veggies like cabbage, broccoli and Brussel sprouts are very good for their DIM or diindolymethane and diosgenin compounds that are good for keeping estrogen in check and lowering “bad forms” of estrogen like xenoestrogens or excess estradiol with hormone replacement or with obesity.

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ONE CAVEAT, HOWEVER, on these cruciferous veggies is that they should not be used in RAW form or use very little in this form when you have an underactive thyroid problem. COOK these veggies to reduce the “ANTITHYROID effect”. No need to avoid them folks, just be aware!

One may use SOY but make sure it is ORGANIC and not in high quantities. It can possibly slow thyroid enzymes down a bit due to isoflavones and genistein. Keep quantities small if you eat soy products. There is NO EVIDENCE, however, that one needs to avoid soy due to harmful outcomes.

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AVOID high intake of caffeine found in chocolate, coffee, tea, frozen desserts that OVERSTIMULATE THE ADRENALS. Keep it decaf or lessen the caffeine to 1 serving daily only.

EXCESS SIMPLE SUGAR AND ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS. These are bad for our health to begin with and they will wreak havoc on the glands and ultimately cause health problems so do your best to reduce or eliminate them altogether. Guideline for sugars: women should take no more than 6 teaspoon equivalent (24 grams) of added sugar a day and men, no more than 9 tsp (36 grams).

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Iodine will need guidance for supplementation by a qualified provider. Not everyone can take this element and its use is cautioned with certain conditions!

Brazil Nuts are a great source of SELENIUM, so if you are not allergic or sensitive to them, use 3-5 maximum daily.

SEAWEED from a direct source or in granulated form from a health shop is very good to add to your diet. It is safe and rich with nutrients. It is helpful for all gland function.

OTHER HELPFUL BITS…

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Coconut oil can be used in cooking or a spoon added to you diet daily if you enjoy this. It has lauric acid that is antiviral and medium chain triglycerides that are known to be helpful for the thyroid and brain.

ASHWAGANDHA (withania somnifera) aka “Indian Ginseng”is an herb that has been used for many centuries as an ADAPTOGEN. It is helpful for the adrenal glands under stress. Doses of 400-1000mg a day have been used safely under stressful periods. Do not use indefinitely. Take for 4 weeks then stop for 2 weeks. Use as needed.

ELEUTHERO or Siberian Ginseng is at least 4,000 years in use. Another adaptogen that you may use as needed for 4- 6 weeks at a time and to take a few weeks off before resumption. Up to 2000mg or 2 grams a day can be used.

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References: Shames, R., M.D. and Shames, K., Ph.D, R.N. Thyroid

Power: 10 Steps to Total Health; Willow Morrow Pub., USA 2002

Wilson, J., N.D., D.C., Ph.D. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome; Smart Pub., USA, 2001.

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