Do you, or someone you know have a considerable drop in health in a very short time period? Rapid weight gain? If so, can you recall a stressful event, or period of time where you were overworked or traumatized?
What can happen is that if there is inadequate thyroid hormone, the adrenal glands are affected and if there are inadequate adrenal hormones, the thyroid is effected. Your adrenal glands are your main stress-adaptation gland (these are your “fight or flight” hormones) that push out adrenaline, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine … they are necessary for staying alive. But you only have so much of these hormones that you can use up each day. In a constant state of stress, you will run out of these essential hormones and they will start to steal hormones from your thyroid or sex hormones.
When your adrenal glands are overworked, your body converts progesterone into adrenal hormones. This depletes you of the progesterone you need for other functions such as estrogen balance (this causes estrogen dominance… belly fat). The thyroid and progesterone have a normalizing and anti-stress effect on the pituitary gland, which helps out the adrenals. When progesterone falls because it is being converted to the stress-fighting hormone, the thyroid suddenly has to take on the task of removing stress from the body.
The thyroid governs your metabolism, the rate of which you burn fat (as well as brain and other essential body functions). If the adrenals are depleted, the thyroid will jump in to maintain a proper rate of adrenal hormone production. However, the endocrine system can’t handle this forever. Over time, the thyroid decreases hormone production to conserve energy. Low thyroid leads to low blood pressure, cold hands and feet, and restless leg syndrome.
There are several helpful nutrients that can help normalize thyroid and adrenal function. If your blood test shows your thyroid is normal, you may not be converting T4 to the more potent T3 hormone. You may also want to test for Hashimoto’s. Testing the adrenal glands function is more difficult with blood but some helpful tests are available like the salivary test or the Raglund’s test. A Chinese Pulse Diagnosis is another way to determine imbalances. If either your adrenals or thyroid functions are impaired here are some things that can help:
1. Adrenoplex/Drenamin
Adrenoplex-stress and tiredness, metabolism of lower belly fat, feeling overwhelmed, an inability to recover properly. FUNCTION: Supports healthy cortisol production, prevents premature aging, adaptogenic herbs to raise the function of low adrenals and lower over-active adrenals. This formula assists the adrenals in producing many of the 50 hormones they are responsible for so that the thyroid doesn’t step in and take over.
Drenamin- glandular PMG that takes the antibodies away from stressed out adrenal glands. This formula contains several nutrients such as vitamin C to feed and replenish overburdened adrenals. Great for stress conditions, anxiety, baggy eyes, weight gain on lower abdomen, hormonal imbalances, etc.
2. Cordycepts 3
Cordycepts 3 (The 3 Treasures in Chinese Medicine) promotes and enhances immunity, sexual function, adrenal hormones and longevity. It assists in Adrenal and stress recovery. Many experts tout its effectiveness as a disease preventative.
3. Ashwagahnda
This extract enhances thyroid function and produces a significant increase in T4 thyroid hormone. It also works with thyroid glandular support to improve the conversion of T4 to the more active T3. Take 75-150mg one or two times daily.
4. Prolamine Iodine/Kelp
Iodine was the chief medicine used in many parts of the world up until the turn of the 20th century when chemically derived pharmaceuticals edged their way into society. Iodine is used in the treatment of obesity, poor digestion, flatulence, obstinate constipation, and to protect against effects of radiation. It is very beneficial to brain tissue, the membrane surrounding the brain, the sensory nerves, and the spinal cord. It prevents fibroids, cysts and toxic accumulations in the body. It also can detox the body of flouride, chloride, and bromine.