1 Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, 1st Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
2 Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Child Health, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Abstract
CONTEXT:
The adrenal gland undergoes significant remodeling during the neonatal period, an essential developmental process that still remains incompletely understood. With respect to control over the remodeling process and, specifically, the role of thyroid hormones (TH), no human studies have been published. The effect of both hypo- and hyper-thyroidism has only been evaluated in adults, focusing on the mature adrenal. Recently, Huang et al identified expression of the TH receptor β1 in the mouse adrenal X-zone and demonstrated that TH administration could alter the postnatal adrenal remodeling process.
OBJECTIVE:
To address whether TH influence adrenal steroid profiles and adrenal remodeling during the neonatal period.
METHODS:
We compared the adrenal steroid profile of a naturally occurring prototype, female neonates with severe congenital hypothyroidism (CH, n=22, upon diagnosis of CH), with that of euthyroid neonates (n=20).
RESULTS:
Significantly higher levels of adrenal steroids (17-OH-progesterone, DHEAS, Δ4- androstenedione and testosterone) were measured in neonates with severe CH compared to euthyroid neonates, returning within normal range after euthyroid state had been established on L-thyroxine replacement therapy whereas cortisol levels did not differ. TSH values in the CH group were positively, while FT4 levels were negatively correlated with circulating adrenal steroids.
CONCLUSIONS:
The hormonal profile of female neonates with severe CH suggests a more active adrenal fetal zone than controls. These data indirectly associate TH with the adrenal remodeling and maturation process in humans. Based on our results we suggest that severe hypothyroidism decelerates the involution of the adrenal fetal zone that normally occurs postnatally.
This guy has some unusual theories but I think he is saying the same thing as this study ? That is no such thing as adrenal "fatigue" This makes sense to me:
“Our data provide strong evidence that physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids are able to affect T3 production from T4 directly and suggest that they may be important regulators of T4 deiodination.”
It all boils down to supply and demand.
The less thyroid hormone (T3) you have available, the more your adrenal glands are stimulated.
And the more your adrenal glands are stimulated, the less thyroid hormone (T3) you have available.
This creates a viscous Thyroid-Adrenal Stress Cycle.
thyroid-feedback-cycle
As this thyroid suppressive cycle continues, you eventually reach a point where the demand for cortisol exceeds your ability to produce it because you don’t have enough thyroid hormone (T3) to do so.
This is how you progress through what are commonly referred to as the 3 stages of adrenal fatigue.
Initially with hypothyroidism we see a rise in cortisol levels as demand increases (oftentimes referred to as stage 1 of adrenal fatigue).
Then, as your thyroid hormone (T3) levels continue to drop, you begin to lack the thyroid hormone needed to continue producing this larger demand of cortisol, and cortisol levels begin to fall (oftentimes referred to as stage 2 of adrenal fatigue).
Then, as this viscous cycle continues further, you become more and more deficient in thyroid hormone and your cortisol begins to plummet (oftentimes referred to as stage 3 of adrenal fatigue).
Then, as your adrenal glands can no longer produce adequate cortisol, you begin to compensate further by chronically producing adrenaline, which can lead to common symptoms such as…
Elevated Heart Rate
Heart Palpitations
Anxiety
Inability to Handle Stress
Extreme Insomnia
Need to Constantly Be Active
Crash When You Try to Relax
And more…
Oftentimes you will hear that if you experience any of the above symptoms when taking thyroid hormone that it’s a sign of adrenal fatigue.
In reality, thyroid hormone (T3) makes you more sensitive to the effects of adrenaline, thus intensifying these symptoms.
And this is where adrenal fatigue treatment can get you into big trouble, further ruining your thyroid."
Thanks for the Tom Brimeyer link, I found it an interesting read and it makes better sense to me than other info I have looked at about adrenal problems none of which I felt made satisfactory sense to me. I never even attempted to go there treatment wise and just worked on getting my hypothyroidism properly controlled believing all symptoms would eventually resolve if the source of all of them was rectified. After all before my thyroid went wrong I was a well person. It has proved a sensible approach. I feel immeasurably improved. I had all those symptoms listed and I was very overt.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Genova adrenal stress saliva test and Urine Thyroid Hormones T3/T4 - advice
Do b12 injections use up thyroid hormones and therefore increase hypothyroid symptoms?
