the glandular/endocrine system Flashcards
what is the pituitary gland?
master gland of the endocrine system
what is the thyroid gland?
multi-faceted and important gland
what is the adrenal glands?
stress management glands
what does the pituitary gland do?
- controls hormone distribution to ovaries, pancreas, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid and pineal
- receives its messages via the hypothalamus
what are causes of imbalance of the pituitary gland?
- other endocrine glands under stress
- often under more stress in menopausal women
what is the PS connection of the pituitary gland?
lack of nurturing oneself or ignoring ones own intuition
what are recommendations for the pituitary gland?
- 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
what do the thyroid gland’s hormones affect
- almost every cell in the body
- oxygen consumption
- metabolism
- body temp regulation
- blood regulation
- erythropoiesis and endocrine regulation
- bone mineralization
what could hypothyroidism be due to?
- increased radiation and radical exposure
- soil depletion of iodine (goitre belt)
- mercury amalgam fillings
what is the PS connection to hypothyroidism?
poor communication/suppression of feelings
what are effects of hypothyroidism?
- 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
explain T3 and T4
- 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
explain the basal temp test
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)
what is a normal and low BTT temp?
normal: 98.6 F (37C)
low: 98.2 F (36.78C)
what are recommendations for hypothyroidism?
- 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
what is hyperthyroidism?
when thyroid hormones are produced in excess
what does hyperthyroidism result in?
- rapid metabolism
- flushed skin
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- excitability/irritability with limited energy and recurring lapses of fatigue
what does hyperthyroidism affect?
-calcium balance in the body and can lead to deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E and K
what should you avoid with hyperthyroidism?
alcohol and nicotine which stimulate the heart
what are symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
- intolerance to heat
- increased perspiration
- less frequent and/or decreased menstrual cycles
- hot flashes
what is the PS connection to hyperthyroidism?
- choking back or suppression of emotions in regards to unfairness in life
- must learn to express feelings freely and develop their own creativity
name some hormones that the adrenal glands produce?
- adrenaline
- noreadrenaline
- cortisol
- aldosterone
- testosterone
- DHEA
- estrogen
- progesterone
- sixty other steroids
what are under active adrenals as common as and why?
under-active stomach -due to our high stress lifestyles-physical, emotional and psychological
what are under-active adrenals caused by?
constant stress
what are symptoms of under-active adrenals?
- fatigue
- insomnia
- GI upsets
- irritability
- depression
- heart disease
- PMS
- menopausal symptoms
what can under-active adrenals be masked by?
-alcohol
-nicotine
-caffeine
(these things are also further deplete the adrenals)
adrenals are usually ______ before they become ______?
over active before they become under active
what are recommendations for under-active adrenals?
- 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
