……..Thyroid Problems

Adrenal Gland
The adrenal glands are small, triangular glands located on top of both kidneys.
An adrenal gland is made of two parts
-­‐-­‐-­‐the outer region, called the adrenal cortex, and t
he inner region, called the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal glands work interactively with the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland.
For the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroid hormones, the hypothalamus produces corticotrophin.
Corticotropin causes the release of hormones from the pituitary gland.
In turn, the pituitary gland produces corticotrophin hormones that stimulate the adrenal glands.
Then the adrenal glands make and release corticosteroid hormones.
One of the main functions of corticosteroid hormone is to reduce inflammation.

The two parts of the adrenal glands perform very separate functions.
The Adrenal Cortex The adrenal cortex secretes hormones that have an effect on the body’s metabolism, on chemicals in the blood, and on specific body characteristics. The adrenal cortex secretes corticosteroids and other hormones directly into the bloodstream.
The hormones produced by the adrenal cortex include
hydrocortisone (cortisol) which helps to control the body’s use of fats, carbohydrates and proteins;
corticosterone which with hydrocortisone, suppresses inflammation and affects the immune system;
aldosterone which regulates the level of sodium excreted into the urine thereby maintaining blood volume and blood pressure; and,
androgenic steroids or androgen hormones which are converted elsewhere in the body (ovaries in women and testes in men) to female (estrogen) and male (androgen) hormones.

The Adrenal Medulla The adrenal medulla, the inner part of the adrenal gland, is not essential to life but helps a person cope with emotional and physical stress.
The adrenal medulla secretes epinephrine (aka. Adrenaline) and norepinephrine (aka. Noradrenaline).
Epinephrine (adrenaline) is important for bone formation, normal muscle function, releasing energy from muscle storage, regulating body temperature and for the proper absorption of calcium (it helps you stay alkaline). You need epinephrine (adrenaline) to hold magnesium in the blood. This is a VERY IMPORTANT FACT that many practitioners miss with their patients.
Low magnesium at the neuron (nerve cell) can lead to the production of protein kinase C2 which will increase inflammatory arachidonic acid!
If your adrenal glands are not working and you do not have sufficient magnesium, you will most likely suffer from chronic muscle cramping and pain.
Norepinephrine (noradrenaline) has strong vasoconstrictive effects which increases blood pressure and affects smooth muscle, the metabolic process and cardiac output.

Symptoms of adrenal stress include
fatigue,
headaches,
grogginess or inability to awake in the morning,
craving sweets,
dizziness,
feeling bloated,
feeling shaky and
lightheadedness.

Long standing adrenal stress can
increase thyroid binding protein activity which prevents thyroid hormone from entering the cell,
impedes the production of T4 to T3,
causes cells to lose their sensitivity to thyroid hormone and
weakens the immune system.

It has been noticed that chronic depression is usually associated with adrenal gland dysfunction.

The adrenal glands need ALL of the following to work properly…
-­‐-­‐Good, high quality water
-­‐-­‐Good, high quality salt like Pink Salt
-­‐-­‐B-­‐vitamins that are natural and live-­‐source
-‐-­‐Vitamin C that is natural and live-­‐source, NOT ascorbic acid –
­‐–­‐The removal of adrenal “killers” like caffeine, alcohol and sugar. –
­‐–­‐Five or more hours of continuous sleep. The patient is not getting up to go to the bathroom every 3-­‐4 hours.
-­‐-­‐Exercise is extremely important for adrenal health. Start exercising today by simply taking a 20-­‐30 minute walk. Eventually work up to walking longer or possibly look into joining a fitness center.