ADRENAL/THYROID HORMONE IMBALANCES AND DEFICITS
Veterinarian
treats thousands of pets with multiple illnesses from chronic infections to
autoimmune conditions and finds common anomalies Mark Konlee
Alfred J. Plechner D.V.M. a graduate of the
University of California-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, has practiced in
West Los Angeles for more than 35 years. Early in his career, he developed an
interest in nutrition, allergy, and the relationship of hormone-immune
imbalances to small animal diseases. His research and clinical experiences have
been published in veterinary journals as well as popular animal magazines. In
the mid-1980's, he co-developed the first successful commercial lamb and rice
diet, a new hypoallergenic pet food diet that has been widely copied. He later
served as a consultant for Natures Recipe in developing a new generation of
hypoallergenic foods for pets. Plechner is co-author,
with Martin Zucker, of a 1986 book "Pet
Allergies: Remedies for an Epidemic." (Very Healthy Enterprises), and a
new book, & quot;Time
bomb Pets" to be published in 2003 by New Sage Press.
Plechner has apparently made a major discovery of an
unrecognized endocrine abnormality that undermines the immune system and
resistance in household pets, and which may also be involved in human
conditions, perhaps even HIV, CFIDS and cancer. He has found this abnormality
present in a high percentage of sick animals brought to him for treatment, many
as a last resort, after other veterinarians have been unsuccessful. He has
identified the abnormality in cases ranging from common allergies and skin
problems to severe viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Over time
he developed an effective therapeutic method involving an endocrine-immune test
followed by long-term, low-dose cortisone and thyroid replacement hormones.
Plechner's approach appears to correct a cortisol deficiency, the cause of the endocrine
abnormality, lowers a systemically high estrogen level, frees thyroid hormones
bound up by the estrogen, and restores suppressed immune activity to
effectiveness. The result: a reduction of illness and improved
health, often full recovery, for as long as animals are maintained on the
program.
Martin Zucker, a mutual friend and medical writer,
first brought my attention to this work by sharing a fascinating scientific
paper he wrote with Plechner that is based on the
veterinarian‚s more than thirty years of clinical experience. The paper,
published in a medical journal, is entitled "An effective veterinary model
may offer therapeutic promise for human conditions: cortisol
and thyroid hormones." The article sparked my immediate interest.
According to Zucker, Plechner
has treated numerous cats with serious FIV infections. The treatment restored
normal immune function. In a follow-up phone call to Alfred Plechner,
I asked him to describe his treatment protocol for pets and small animals. Here
was his reply.
Plechner: The treatment consists of giving low dose
thyroid hormones along with low-dose cortisone.
Konlee: Do you mean low-dose thyroid hormones like
"Armour Thyroid" that provides the natural
thyroid hormones "Thyroxin" (T4, T3, T2 and T1) and "Cortef "that provides natural hydrocortisone that the
body uses to make cortisol, the natural adrenal
hormone?
Plechner: Yes, the equivalent of these drugs for use
in humans is available by prescription for household pets and other animals.
The amount given varies according to the weight of the animal and the results
of diagnostic tests. If I were treating an animal that weighed 150 pounds, I
would start off with 1/2 grain of thyroid (about 32 mg) and 5 mg of cortisone
twice a day. You will need to monitor blood pressure when giving thyroid as too
much could cause it to rise as well as increase the pulse rate. The process of
increasing thyroid use has to be gradual. Usually the amount of cortisone used
is maintained at a low level.
Konlee: I can understand the role of the thyroid
hormone, as it controls cellular metabolism throughout the body, the production
of ATP and will help in normalizing body temperature that is critical for
restoring cell-mediated immune responses, but cortisone, is it not
immunosuppressive?
Plechner: Absolutely, if you take too much of it. The
same is true for zinc. Research has shown that too little zinc or too much is
immunosuppressive and this has been shown for other nutrients as well. You
absolutely need zinc for your thymus gland to function properly and mature T
cells, but you don't want too much or too little. Now for cortisol,
it is a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, and the normal healthy human body
produces about 40 mg daily. It is well established that most of the
pharmaceutical versions of "cortisone" like Prednisone are synthetic
steroids, powerful anti-inflammatory agents, but also immunosuppressive at
doses over 5 mg daily (the equivalent of 30 mg of hydrocortisone). In fact, at
doses over 5 mg daily, Prednisone will completely shut down your adrenal gland
production of cortisol. When going Prednisone that is
over 6 times stronger than hydrocortisone, it has to be tapered off gradually
over a period of several days or weeks. At high doses, all kinds of adverse
effects can develop with the synthetic steroids, and this has given them a bad
reputation. What is not known is that too little of the natural free cortisol is immunosuppressive by allowing excessive levels
of estrogen to build up.
What is not known is that too little of the natural free cortisol
is immunosuppressive by allowing excessive levels of estrogen to build up. The
amount of cortisol produced by the adrenals is
controlled by ACTH from the Pituitary gland and controlled through a feedback
loop with the Hypothalamus gland that produces Corticotropic-Releasing
Factor (CRF). When the adrenals are exhausted and not producing enough free cortisol, the Hypothalamus continues to pump out CRF that,
in turn, stimulates the Pituitary to produce more ACTH. The elevated ACTH
signals the Adrenals to produce more Cortisol that
the exhausted adrenals are unable to do. However, the adrenal glands respond to
the ACTH stimulation by continuing to produce estrogen. In other words, ACTH
can stimulate the adrenal glands to produce either cortisol
or estrogen. (In some instances, total adrenal exhaustion causes the adrenals
to fail to produce either enough cortisol or
estrogen).
What turns-off the CRF/ACTH feedback loop is
sufficient free cortisol levels in the blood. At a
certain level, cortisol turns off the CRF that
regulates the ACTH output from the Pituitary. In a normal 24-hour period
(circadian cycle), cortisol levels are highest at 8
A.M.
in the morning and lowest in the evening (8pm to midnight). Cortisone supplements, given
before bedtime, can interfere with sleep. Cortisone supplements should only be
given between 8am and 2pm (early afternoon). There are
many people treated with thyroid hormones that get their body temperature back
to normal and many who do not. One reason is that part of the Adrenal glands
are exhausted and are not producing enough cortisol,
while another part of the Adrenal glands are producing too much estrogen that
binds to thyroxin. The production of cortisol and
adrenal estrogen is controlled through the Hypothalamus/Pituitary feedback
loop.
Note: When natural cortisone, such as the prescription drug Cortef,
is administered, it is converted to the active form called "cortisol."
Konlee: This sounds very complicated. Could you
explain it again?
Plechner: Feedback loops are regulatory mechanisms in
the body that govern fluctuations of the hormones produced by glands. The
adrenal gland produces a lot of important hormones. They include adrenaline,
the well-known stress hormone, made in the central tissue of the two adrenal
glands. The outer tissue, called the cortex, is divided into three layers. The
middle layer secretes cortisol. Cortisol
is controlled by a classical feedback loop involving the hypothalamus and
pituitary glands in the brain. They secrete substances that act as "on or
off" switches. Among other hormones that they influence, they turn on or
turn off the adrenal production of cortisol,
depending upon how much cortisol they sense in the
system. These feedback loops are the core of the body's inner biochemical
intelligence.
It is now recognized that the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, as part of
the neuroendocrine system, has central importance to
immune homeostasis, however researchers still admit to a lack of clear
understanding about the countless details and interactions. Hormonal
interactions are a very complex business. As a clinician and not a researcher I
don't pretend to be an expert on the intricate molecular details. But I do know
what works for my patients and what the tests I have developed tell me. And
years ago I found a consistently deficient cortisol
level in sick animals. I attributed this to a genetic defect, the result of
contemporary breeding practices, or to other causes, such as nutritional
deficiencies or toxins. The defect could result in damage to the tissue that
makes the cortisol or an error in the enzyme process
necessary for the manufacture of cortisol. Such an
error has been identified in congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a disease of
humans. The net result is a shortfall in cortisol,
and that's a key loss, because the hormone exerts a potent anti-inflammatory
effect, stimulates several processes that serve to increase and maintain a
normal glucose level in the blood and, very important to our discussion, acts
as a regulatory factor for normal immune function.
Konlee: Why does a deficiency of cortisol
cause the adrenal glands to produce estrogen?
Plechner: Good question. The inner cortical layer of
the adrenal glands also responds to ACTH. And here is where it now gets a
little complicated. My hypothesis is that there is constant ACTH stimulation in
a situation where cortisol is bound or deficient, and
where the middle cortex layer is not able to respond to the call for more cortisol. The level of cortisol
fails to reach the threshold necessary to stop the hypothalamus from secreting
CRF. The CRF stimulates the pituitary to continue secreting ACTH. The ACTH
tries to get the adrenal gland to produce cortisol,
and in the process stimulates the inner layer of the cortex. As a result, more
androgens are produced. The androgens then may convert to estrogen in a
quantity that is excessive. Cortisol levels are
controlled by a classical feedback loop that involves the
hypothalamus-pituitary and adrenal glands. Cortisol,
the primary glucocorticoid, is produced in the middle
Adrenal cortex layer.
We have found a problem in cortisol production that
comes from two of three layers of the adrenal cortex. The defect can be genetic
or due to other causes (nutritional deficiencies or toxins). As a result of an
inability of the adrenals to keep up with demand for cortisol,
adrenal estrogen levels build up and cause the following:
1. A histamine-like effect on capillaries, leading to inflammation from blood
components spilling into adjacent tissues
2. Binding thyroid hormone
3. Further deregulation of lymphocytes and antibodies.
Cortisol stimulates several processes that serve to
increase and maintain normal glucose levels in the blood,
exert a potent anti-inflammatory effect and act as a regulating factor for
normal immune function. Except in some rare cases of total adrenal exhaustion,
a deficiency of free cortisol leads to an excess of
adrenal estrogen that deregulates the immune response between Th1 and Th2 type
cytokines.
Konlee: Elevated histamine levels have been linked to
elevated interluken 6 levels in many studies. If the
histamine like effects are due to actual elevated
histamine levels, then should not we also expect IL-6 levels to increase; and
if that were the case, would we not also expect a shift in cytokine profiles
from TH1 to the less effective TH2?
Plechner: That is a good question. I have not
investigated whether or not IL-6 levels are elevated in these conditions but I
have found out that IgA levels are low, and these low
levels in the digestive tract lead to food allergies and sensitivities, as well
as malabsorption.
Konlee: IgA is a TH1
Immunoglobulin needed for mucosal immunity. Bifidobacteria
Longum has been found to increase the levels of IgA as does vitamin A and the
thyroid hormone, thyroxin. What are some of the benefits of supplementing with
low-dose thyroid and cortisone you have observed in your clinical practice?
Plechner: After a trial and
error period, I have developed a testing and treatment strategy that has proved
to be safe and highly effective. The central modality is replacement with
physiological doses of cortisone preparations to address the root issue of cortisol deficiency.
The low-dose cortisone preparations normalize ACTH levels,
stop the overproduction of adrenal estrogen and the accompanying estrogen
blockade of the thyroid hormones and reregulates
the immune system.
The use of low dose cortisone long term has also been reported by Jefferies for
treating allergies, autoimmune disorders and chronic fatigue syndrome (1). The
second important modality is the simultaneous use of thyroid hormone. The
thyroid hormone is needed, because the excess adrenal estrogen has bound some
of the thyroid hormone. The low dose thyroid hormone helps increase the
metabolic rate and the liver to detoxify, as well as process the cortisol. By giving cortisol and
thyroid replacement simultaneously, the body is able to effectively utilize and
process the former (cortisol) without developing side
effects.
Once the testing and low-dose hormone therapy is underway, it is very important
to follow a hypoallergenic diet and remove foods to which the animal or person
is sensitive. After a few weeks, the sensitive foods may be reintroduced one at
a time.
Konlee: Have you written and published other articles
on this subject?
Plechner: In the late
1970's, I wrote 4 articles (2, 3, 4 and 5) on my experiences and theories but
found no germane research in veterinary journals to provide guidance.
Konlee: I understand you have worked a lot with cats
that have the FIV virus, the equivalent of HIV in humans. Can you tell us more
about your experience?
Plechner: FIV is one of several retroviruses that affect
cats. Like terrorists, they infiltrate into the body of cats, live in a dormant
state for periods of time, even years, replicate as conditions allow, and then
attack, causing serious damage and even death. From my perspective, the ability
of a cat to combat viruses like these hinges on its endocrine-immune resources.
The presence of the abnormal endocrine-immune mechanism I have described to you
renders an animal less able to fight. The immune cells are deregulated, unable
to establish a strong unified defense. As the underlying hormone and immune
irregularities intensify with time, errant defenses run amok. When cats die,
people say the virus killed them. To me it's more a case of a dysfunctional
immune system that has not only failed to deter the viruses, but also turned on
the cat and helped to kill it. Cats with clinical signs of the disease are
regarded as incurable. They are often euthanized.
Many cats have no symptoms, but are nevertheless positive for this or perhaps
other retroviruses (such as feline leukemia or feline infectious peritonitis).
The blood test I have developed shows whether an animal has the
endocrine-immune imbalance. When I do the test, and the results indicate no
imbalance, it is highly unlikely an animal will break with the disease. If the
results indicate imbalance, the situation has to be corrected otherwise an
animal will become sick or sicker. After the hormone replacement program is
started, a cat often will test negative for the virus. This is true, whether
the cat previously was merely positive for the virus or actually symptomatic.
The underlying defect has been corrected. The immune cells are back in
business. They fight back and vanquish the viruses. This is my experience in
numerous cases. Multiple felines under one roof might be positive for a
particular virus but the huge majority of them live long and healthy lives, if
they are put back into hormonal balance and their owners keep them on the
program. If the program is stopped, the imbalance will return and the animal
become at risk again. You test for the defect. If you find it, you correct it,
and stay the course. The imbalance is there. You are correcting it with the
therapy, and putting an animal's derailed immune system back on the tracks,
enabling it to fight off any virus. The cat will respond by testing antibody
negative. I have seen this reversal so many times that it doesn't surprise me
anymore, even though the veterinary textbooks say it doesn't happen.
Supposedly, once you have the virus, you always have it. But that's not my
clinical experience. I have been able to turn around approximately 70 percent
of sick animals with FIV. Obviously, the earlier you correct the imbalance the
better the chance for recovery. You want to intervene before severe damaged is
inflicted to organs and vital parts. Remember what I said about elevated
estrogen in the system. If the level is high enough it can suppress bone marrow
and red blood cell production. The animal will develop anemia, and blood
transfusions may be needed.
Konlee: How might this relate to HIV?
Plechner: If my experience with animals is any
indication, perhaps when a human is exposed to the HIV virus, whether or not he
or she breaks with symptoms of AIDS may depend on the health of that person's
endocrine-immune integrity. If an imbalance is found through testing,
correction with appropriate hormone replacement could be a significant strategy
for both prevention and therapy. I have suggested to interested physicians that
they test for the same range of hormonal-immune relationships as I do for
animals. That means a blood test measuring cortisol,
total estrogen, thyroid (T3/T4), and Immunoglobulin. Other factors could be
added, such as T cells and perhaps other hormones, in order to develop a more
precise picture of the defect's total range of impact. Testosterone and other
androgens, also produced in the adrenal cortex, might be included and measured
against immune cell levels. I have not done this in my clinical practice
because of increased testing costs. However, researche
rs have begun looking at the immune and inflammatory
modulating effects of androgen/estrogen ratios and concentrations. Patients can
be retested after biweekly or monthly intervals to monitor changing
relationships. The bottom line is that hormonal replacement must be measured
against B and T cell levels.
For female patients, clinicians will have to consider ovarian estrogen. The
level of total estrogen will obviously vary according to monthly cycle, age,
and use of birth control pill or estrogen replacement. One physician, who uses
hormones routinely in his practice, was surprised to find, after I discussed
this mechanism with him, that his sickest postmenopausal patients had the
highest estrogen levels and lowest antibody counts. These were women who were
not on any estrogen replacement program. The possible reason for this, I
suggested, is the impact of low/bound cortisol and
added estrogen from adrenal androgen conversion a forgotten source of estrogen.
Even though postmenopausal, these women may actually be in a state of relative
estrogen dominance. For women, a testing method would have to accommodate
individual situations. For example, reproductive age females might be tested in
mid-cycle, when the ovarian estrogen level is highest, and again just prior to
menses, when it is at t he lowest level.
Konlee: As a general guide
for someone who has low body temperature, low cortisol
and high estrogen, what would be a safe dose with which to start?
Plechner: First of all, I am a veterinarian, and I
cannot give medical advice to your readers. The advice I give here is of a
general nature and for health care professionals to consider using. Readers
should bring a copy of this article to their physician for their consideration.
For cortisol, 5 mg (Cortef) twice a day for starters. Take at 8am and 2pm. This is a very low dose and
some physicians may want to increase it to 10 mg twice a day. Do not take
cortisone supplements in the evening or before bedtime, as it will interfere
with the REM state of sleep. We want cortisol levels
higher when we are awake and low when we are asleep. In normal subjects, cortisol levels are highest at 8am in the morning. Also, melatonin
levels, that help promote restful sleep, should be lowest during the day and
increase after dark and before bedtime. A melatonin spillover in the AM can
depress the basal metabolic rate all day. This can be turned off by exposing
the eyes to bright natural lights for a f ew minutes or taking a walk outside without wearing
sunglasses.
For thyroid, 1/4 grain (about 15 mg) or 1/2 grain once or twice daily to start
and, after a few weeks, if blood pressure and pulse are not elevated, to
gradually increase the thyroid amount. The cortisol
levels are left the same. The hormonal and immune benefits will accrue and be
maintained as long as the person stays on the protocol. A physician's
prescription is required for both the cortisol and
thyroid hormones. The key here is low-dose for successful long-term use, as
adverse effects may develop from higher doses.
Note: The active form of thyroxine, T3, is a strong
inducer of IgA, a TH1 cytokine needed for intestinal
and mucosal health.
Ref: 1. Jefferies, w. McK.Mild adrencortical
deficiency, chronic allergies, autoimmune disorders and the chronic fatigue
syndrome: a continuation of the cortisone story. Medical Hypothesis, 1994; 42;183-189
2. Plechner A. J., Shannon M., Canine Immune Complex diseases. Modern Veterinary Practice, November 1976; 917
3. Plechner A. J., Shannon M., Epstein A, Goldstein E., Howard E. B., Endocrine-immune
surveillance. Pulse. June-July, 1978
4. Plechner A.J., Theory of endocrine-immune surveillance. California Veterinarian, Jan
1979; 12.
5. Plechner A.J. Preliminary
observations on endocrine-associated immunodeficiencies
in dogs? A clinician explores the relationship of immunodeficiencies
to endocrinopathy. Modern Veterinary Practice, 1979;
811
Highlights from Alfred Plechner's article - 35,000
pets treated with his protocol
Alfred Plechner states that he has treated over 35000
pets in the past 20 years with this protocol. Plechner
reports that low cortisol and thyroid hormone lowers
T cell panels in the tests. Estrogen can exert a dramatic blocking effect on cortisol and thyroid hormones, and just a slight variation
out of normal is enough to cause hormonal and immune complications. In this
case, the relationship is usually low cortisol, high
estrogen and deregulated immune cells. In female animals that are not neutered,
testing is done when the animals are not in estrus and are not producing high
levels of ovarian estrogen. Tests for estradiol
levels alone are not sufficient to show estrogen dominance.
In a discussion with Alfred Plechner on Jan 13th,
2003, concerning a lab test from a female, which was faxed to me, showed
elevated blood levels of cortisol, low thyroid
function and normal estradiol levels, Plechner said: "Measuring estradiol
(E2) levels alone will usually not determine estrogen dominance, you also need
to measure the estrone (E1) levels. The test for
total estrogens (E1 plus E2) will often show estrogen dominance whereas the
test alone for estradiol will not. The blood serum cortisol levels do not tell the whole story, as they may be
bound and inactive. That is why you need to measure active or free urinary cortisol collected in a 24 hr period and also look at the
serum IgA levels. When the urinary cortisol levels are low, then normal or high cortisone
levels in the blood indicate they are bound and inactive. "
The pattern that often emerges in many health conditions in canines (dogs) and
humans is estrogen dominance (excess), low IgA linked
to food allergies or intolerances, low active or free cortisol
even when blood levels are high and low thyroid function. For humans when
giving natural cortisone like "Cortef," 5
mg twice a day, it is very important to support the thyroid function with Armour Thyroid or you will have a build-up of cortisone
levels after a few weeks. This is also true for dogs but not for cats whose thyroid function is usually not impaired. The thyroid
hormones are needed to help break down the cortisone and metabolize it. A small
amount of free cortisone (Cortef) is needed to turn
off the Pituitary production of ACTH. When ACTH levels drop, both total
estrogen and total cortisone levels will be reduced."
Note: a third form of estrogen called Estriol is
usually found only in pregnant women and is typically not measured in total
estrogen assays.
Diagnostic tests suggested by Plechner for humans -
available from Specialty Labs in Santa Monica, CA www.specialtylabs.com
800-421-4449 or 310-828-6543
Tests for both males and females
A. Blood (Serum or Plasma) Tests
1. Total Estrogen (both estrone and estradiol) Code 3164
2. Thyroid Panel Hypothyroidism- Code 3074
]3. Cortisol - Code 3128
4. Testosterone - total and free - Code 3248
5. IgA, IgG and IgM
-Code 1045
B. Urine tests for both males and females
1. Active /Free Cortisol -
Code 3128U
2. Free T3 and T4 C. Basal metabolic temperature (using a digital
thermometer)
Traditional method: Shake down thermometer and place on bed stand the night
before. Upon awakening in the morning, while still in bed, place thermometer in
armpit for 10 minutes before getting up. Normal basal temperature should be
between 97.8 and 98.2°F.
Note: Mercury thermometers are no longer being sold due to the hazards of mercury, should a thermometer break. A convenient digital
thermometer called a "Talking Thermometer" is available from Walgreens for about $10. Just click the button and wait for
3 beeps then it is ready to use. The thermometer will talk to you and tell you
your temperature when it stabilizes. Upon awakening, the basal temperature may
be taken under the tongue. Manufacturers of thermometers state that the basal
temperature taken under the tongue can be done faster and with the same
accuracy as under the armpit.
Note: Because of its fast readout, the Talking Thermometer and other digital
thermometers will not give you an accurate reading under the armpit and should
be taken under the tongue instead. The normal basal temperature range under the
tongue upon awakening in the morning is from 97.6 to 98°F or .2 degrees less
than the armpit reference range. A basal temperature of 1/2 degree below normal
indicates mild hypothyroidism, whereas 2 degrees or more below normal is quite
serious hypothyroidism.
Note: Basal test is only accurate in a menstruating women
from 2nd to 4th day.
In addition to the above , the following tests are
also recommended for Females:
a. Progesterone
b. Ferritin
Summary of Plechners findings
1. The presence of high estrogen and low immunoglobulins,
especially IgA, will indicate to the clinician that
the cortisol is at least partially inactive, and
active thyroxine (T3) is deficient. This is true,
even when T4 and blood cortisone levels are normal or high.
2. Binding of thyroid hormone by estrogen can be indicated, when both T3 and T4
test normal and the patient has these symptoms - excessive sleeping,
sluggishness, hyperkeratosis of the nose and pads of the feet; excess
pigmentation in skin of ventral abdomen; high cholesterol; high triglycerides,
underweight or overweight.
3. Suppression of IgA, IgM
and IgG. Plechner states
that the role of cortisol as an immune regulatory
agent has been grossly neglected. An unknown, but probably very large
percentage of cats and dogs, produce inadequate or bound cortisol,
as a result of contemporary breeding practices primarily, and, to a lesser
degree, stress, aging, poor diet, and other environmental inputs. The cortisol defect triggers a trail of biochemical events that
produces elevated estrogen, bound thyroid hormone, and deregulation of major
immune system cells. The experience with animals and the work of Jefferies and Plechner and his followers, strongly argues for testing
these hypotheses in humans, that may produce major diagnostic and treatment
breakthroughs. Plechner uses plant derived cortisone
in low doses and can provide a source for health care professionals, if they
prefer to use plant-derived cortisone. Also, a prescription source of natural cortisol is available called "Cortef."
Health care professionals may want to contact Dr. Plechner
for a copy of his 9-page treatise.
Alfred J Plechner, D.V.M. California Animal Hospital
1736 S Sepulveda Blvd Suite C
Los
Angeles,
CA 90025
Ph No 310-473-0969 Fax 310-473-6344 email: drplechner@hotmail.com.
Testing for Pets:
National Veterinary Diagnostic Services, Lake Forest, CA 949-859-3648)
Note: There are several reports on the internet that agree natural thyroid
works better and with fewer side effects than their manufactured alternatives,
like Synthyroid. If you decide to try a natural
formula, avoid any with "pituitary" gland extract, as this is the
gland that can spread "mad cow disease" from infected cows. Pituitary
of bovine origin is one glandular to avoid in all supplements. Pituitary of
porcine origin (pigs) is not known to contain any risk factors.
Which thyroid supplement is best - natural or synthetic?
Among prescription drugs for the thyroid, there are several choices of brand
names, but actually only two groups - natural or synthetic. Laboratory made
synthetic brands like Synthroid or Levothroid only contain the T4 hormone whereas natural Armour Thyroid, that is derived from pigs
(porcine), contains all 4 types of thyroid hormone, T1, T2, T3 and T4.
The problem with the synthetic brands of thyroid is that many patients cannot
convert T4 to the active form T3.
This is often due to deficiencies of selenium, that is required to convert T4
to T3 but could be due to deficiencies of other nutrients like L-tyrosine,
iodine, manganese, glutathione levels, Vitamin A, certain B vitamins, C and E.
Most doctors will prescribe a synthetic pharmaceutical thyroid like Synthroid, instead of the natural Armour
Thyroid, that is actually desiccated thyroid glandular of porcine origin.
Several case reports on the Internet indicate that hypothyroid persons do
better on Natural Thyroid than Synthroid. For those
of you who surf the Internet, the source on Thyroid under Holistic Health
Topics has a 24-page article on hypothyroidism, with 102 scientific references,
located at www.holistichealtopics.com/HMG/thyroid.html.
The Broda Barnes Foundation continues to educate
doctors on the proper use of hormones and can provide references to physicians
in your area. Broda Barnes MD Res. Fdn PO box 98 Trumbull, CT 06611 203-261-2101 Web Site: www.brodabarnes.org.
Another list of local physicians trained in using natural hormones can be
founds at www.wilsonssyndrome.com.
Recommended readings: 1. Hypothyroidism by Broda
Barnes and Lawrence Galton, Harper and Row, NY 2. The
Miracle of Natural Hormones, by David Brownstein MD Medical Alternatives Press
888-647-5616 www.drbrownstein.com.
In his book, Dr. Brownstein has found that when the adrenal output of cortisol is very low, thyroid supplementation may make
symptoms worse, unless small amounts of cortisone (10 to 20 mg daily) are first
administered.
Brownstein states that normal cortisol levels are
needed to help T4 convert to the active form T3.
Note: There are several brands of cortisone available by prescription. Cortef comes in 5, 10 or 20 mg and has been reported be
derived from natural sources.
Cortisol deficiency and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome -
Sour cherry juice as a source of natural melatonin
In an article on the Adrenalcortex Stress profile at
Great Smokey Diagnostic Laboratory website www.gsdl.com, they state that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
is actually a disease of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and add,
"Unlike ordinary fatigue, however, CFS is typically characterized by low
free cortisol levels and adrenal insufficiency.
Raising cortisol levels by even small amounts has
been found to improve unexplained fatigue in many CFS patients."
Plechner is not alone in his view and experience,
that small physiological doses of cortisone relieves numerous symptoms,
including fatigue, and promotes the ability of the immune system to control
infectious disease.
(1) Researchers have found that melatonin increases cortisol
levels in aged, but not young, women (2). Taking melatonin before bedtime may
help resolve fatigue related to cortisol deficiency
in some persons. As tart cherries are high in natural melatonin, drinking a
glass of sour cherry juice before bedtime may increase melatonin levels and
enhance deeper sleep and adrenal function. To maintain harmony with the
circadian cycle, tart cherries or cherry juice should be consumed primarily in
the evening.
1. Jeffries WM, Mild adrenocorticol deficiency,
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