the glandular/endocrine system

Question 1

what is the pituitary gland?

Answer 1

master gland of the endocrine system

Question 2

what is the thyroid gland?

Answer 2

multi-faceted and important gland

Question 3

what is the adrenal glands?

Answer 3

stress management glands

Question 4

what does the pituitary gland do?

Answer 4

• controls hormone distribution to ovaries, pancreas, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid and pineal
• receives its messages via the hypothalamus

Question 5

what are causes of imbalance of the pituitary gland?

Answer 5

• other endocrine glands under stress

- often under more stress in menopausal women

Question 6

what is the PS connection of the pituitary gland?

Answer 6

lack of nurturing oneself or ignoring ones own intuition

Question 7

what are recommendations for the pituitary gland?

Answer 7

• wholesome diet, full of live, natural and good quality food
• EFAs: evening primrose or flax seed oil
• vitamin B, E, manganese
• phytoestrogens: soy products and mexican yam extracts
• female glandular or pituitary concentrate
• lifestyle adjustments regarding stress

Question 8

what do the thyroid gland’s hormones affect

Answer 8

• almost every cell in the body
• oxygen consumption
• metabolism
• body temp regulation
• blood regulation
• erythropoiesis and endocrine regulation
• bone mineralization

Question 9

what could hypothyroidism be due to?

Answer 9

• increased radiation and radical exposure
• soil depletion of iodine (goitre belt)
• mercury amalgam fillings

Question 10

what is the PS connection to hypothyroidism?

Answer 10

poor communication/suppression of feelings

Question 11

what are effects of hypothyroidism?

Answer 11

• fatigue and lethargy
• unnatural sleepiness and lack of motivation
• dry hair or hair loss
• constipation
• low body temp
• short bouts of depression
• difficulty losing weight
• always feeling cold
• menstrual difficulties and infertility
• common during menopause

Question 12

explain T3 and T4

Answer 12

• TSH stimulate the thyroid to produce T4 and T3
• standard blood tests show the level of T4 which is produced in large quantities
• however T4 has to be converted to T3 by enzymes
• some T3 is produced by the thyroid gland but 85-90% of T3 reaching the cells is produced by the conversion of T4
• some people have an inability to convert T4 to T3

Question 13

explain the basal temp test

Answer 13

can indicate hypo function when hormone levels are still “within normal range”
-for optimal and accurate testing, women must start on the first day of their cycle (ovulation can increase temp)

Question 14

what is a normal and low BTT temp?

Answer 14

normal: 98.6 F (37C)
low: 98.2 F (36.78C)

Question 15

what are recommendations for hypothyroidism?

Answer 15

• increase iodine rich foods- sea salts, sea vegetables and seafood
• supplement: iodine, selenium, B complex, dulse and kelp
• natural thyroid hormones under the supervision of a ND

Question 16

what is hyperthyroidism?

Answer 16

when thyroid hormones are produced in excess

Question 17

what does hyperthyroidism result in?

Answer 17

• rapid metabolism
• flushed skin
• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• excitability/irritability with limited energy and recurring lapses of fatigue

Question 18

what does hyperthyroidism affect?

Answer 18

-calcium balance in the body and can lead to deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E and K

Question 19

what should you avoid with hyperthyroidism?

Answer 19

alcohol and nicotine which stimulate the heart

Question 20

what are symptoms of hyperthyroidism?

Answer 20

• intolerance to heat
• increased perspiration
• less frequent and/or decreased menstrual cycles
• hot flashes

Question 21

what is the PS connection to hyperthyroidism?

Answer 21

• choking back or suppression of emotions in regards to unfairness in life
• must learn to express feelings freely and develop their own creativity

Question 22

name some hormones that the adrenal glands produce?

Answer 22

• adrenaline
• noreadrenaline
• cortisol
• aldosterone
• testosterone
• DHEA
• estrogen
• progesterone
• sixty other steroids

Question 23

what are under active adrenals as common as and why?

Answer 23

under-active stomach -due to our high stress lifestyles-physical, emotional and psychological

Question 24

what are under-active adrenals caused by?

Answer 24

constant stress

Question 25

what are symptoms of under-active adrenals?

Answer 25

• fatigue
• insomnia
• GI upsets
• irritability
• depression
• heart disease
• PMS
• menopausal symptoms

Question 26

what can under-active adrenals be masked by?

Answer 26

-alcohol
-nicotine
-caffeine
(these things are also further deplete the adrenals)

Question 27

adrenals are usually ______ before they become ______?

Answer 27

over active before they become under active

Question 28

what are recommendations for under-active adrenals?

Answer 28

• stress management
• stress= feeling of helplessness in the face of a given situation
• lifestyle counselling to help take action in the face of fears
• wholesome diet full of B vitamins and avoidance of sugars and sweets
• supplementation: Vitamin C, B complex, potassium, vitamin E and choline