Sorry, for taking
so much time to write part 2 of cortisol and estrogen connection. Studying it was like learning a new language
(which is ironic since my life depends on knowing speaking it to my primary).
After reading about cortisol and estrogen until my eyes crossed, I came across
one doctor, Alfred J. Plechner, who brings the adrenal gland into our estrogen
discussion and oddly makes the discussion understandable. He writes:
I have long regarded adrenal dysfunction as a well-spring of excess estrogen which may contribute to
hormonal imbalances, immune destabilization, and increased vulnerability to
disease. As a practicing
clinician, I have consistently found elevated total estrogen as part of an
endocrine-immune derangement present in many common diseases of dogs and cats.
Wait.
What? Dogs and Cats? Yes, Alfred J. Plechner is a veterinarian,
but before I discuss Dr Plechner’s findings, I want to share why I am so interested
in this topic.
I am looking for 1) why lipedema spikes
during female reproductive stages; 2)
how to stop lipedema in its tracks during these reproductive events; and 3) how
to stop my ever-present hormonal surges, sore breasts, occasional bleeding,
premenstrual crampiness, and peaking emotions since post-menopause 8 years
ago. (Yes, I have had the traditional
medical tests designed to detect cancer but otherwise do not address serious
medical issues)
Like many of you, one or more hormonal
events triggered a lipedema spike in my body. Mine: huge weight gain at menses
and at the birth of my first child, a boy.
Then weight loss when my daughter was born and during peri-menopause. A weight gain, all-time high at menopause with
a new addition of much immovable weight gain in my stomach which had been no
more than a pouch. And now, post-menopause, no more weight gain, as I have lost slowly and steadily for the last
three years but with much unexpected hormonal activity even though my reproductive
stages have supposedly ended.
Because women are finally sharing their
collective history of post-menopause with such consistency, a new understanding
of menopause is being forged and a new phase, perhaps, will be named. Oh wait, in my research, I discovered there
is such a name. Are you properly strapped into your ruby red slippers?
After menopause, every woman will be affected differently
and they will be at higher risk for breast cancer,
cardiovascular disease, fibroids, post-menopause weight gain, urinary
incontinence, a thin, watery
vaginal discharge tinged with blood signaling vaginal wall atrophy, hair loss,
and osteoporosis. At the same time ovulation ceases,
progesterone drops to zero while estrogen drops 40 - 60% from its pre-menopause level. In order for the body to be healthy, estrogen
and progesterone need to be in
balance, and when they are, women are disease-free. This is called post-menopause syndrome.
I just want to
repeat the salient sentence in the above paraphrase:
In order for the body to be
healthy, estrogen and progesterone need to be in balance, and when they are,
women are disease-free. When the estrogen and progesterone are not in balance,
a woman sufferers from post-menopause syndrome.
Is it possible to ascertain cortisol
level in the human body? Yes, with a non-invasive, inexpensive, simple 24-hour
urine test and now with hair analysis which tells the history of cortisol in
your body. Is it possible to test one’s
progesterone and estrogen levels? Through blood tests, yes, and more
accurately, saliva testing is the most accurate test
to determine steroid hormones (i.e. progesterone, estrogen, DHEA, cortisol, and
testosterone) levels. Saliva testing is much more accurate and useful than any
blood test when attempting to determine who needs hormone replacement. (http://www.bhrtdoctors.com/menopause2.htm)
Why then are the mammogram and pap smear the
only yearly tests offered to determining women’s health when inflammation,
estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and
testosterone levels can easily and cheaply be measured? And let’s not forget
DHEA, a naturally occurring hormone secreted from the adrenal gland to help
with weight loss and muscle strengthening.
It is important at this point to understand the adrenal gland. Its purpose is to secrete hormones such as
estrogen, progesterone, steroids, cortisol, and cortisone, and chemicals such
as adrenalin (epinephrine), norepinephrine, and dopamine. I have often heard
that a weak adrenal gland is the root cause of most disease and the good news
is that you can test your adrenal function at home. It is called the paradoxical
papillary reflex test.
To take the test:
Standing in front of a mirror in a dark room, take a flashlight and
shine the light into one eye at a 45-degree angle from the side. Watch your
pupil. When in the dark, your pupil should be dilated (open). When you shine
the light it should constrict. The duration of constriction can
indicate adrenal function, though there are other causes for a positive finding
on this test. Wait 30 seconds in the dark before repeating with the other eye.
PUPIL CONSTRICTION POSSIBLE
FINDING
Stays constricted for at least 20 seconds Healthy adrenal function
Fasciculates (pulses) after 10 seconds Fair
adrenal function
Fasciculates (pulses) in 5-10 seconds Poor
adrenal function
Immediate pulsation and dilation Adrenal exhaustion
And now finally back to Dr. Alfred J. Pletchner who is accredited with
applying his research with dogs and cats to something that applies to humans as
well: Pletchner’s syndrome. He explains
his findings as follows:
Q. HOW DOES EXCESS
ESTROGEN AFFECT MY IMMUNE SYSTEM?
A. Imbalanced CORTISOL allows for the
pituitary gland to over-stimulate the production of excess ESTROGEN. This
excess estrogen not only causes an inflammation of the lining cells of all
arteries in the body, including those arteries to the intestines, but causes
the B and T immune cells to become deregulated. It also causes the B cell to
reduce its production of antibodies. This in turn causes further turmoil in the
gut. When regulated, the B cell protects the body against bacteria and makes
protective antibodies to vaccines and other intruders. When the T cell is
regulated it protects the body against viruses and plant invaders like yeast
and fungi. The hormonal antibody deregulation is why all of these intruders can
cause medical effects (illnesses and diseases). Many substances are used to
combat these EFFECTS, but while this is being done, the CAUSE must also be
corrected, otherwise the EFFECTS will continue. The continuous use of
antibiotics and anti-yeast and fungal medications alone will not correct the
problem since they can only be managed effectively through replacement and correction
of the hormonal antibody imbalance.
So, first things first. Take your
home test or go to your doctor and ask for all of the tests that are available
to you so you can know exactly what your adrenal gland needs. It’s a very important thing to do because
before considering any medication aimed at hormone replacement you should know
adrenal function, blood sugar balance, and gastrointestinal function. Understanding the state of your adrenal gland
seems to be one of the most important pieces of information you and your
primary can have, especially if you are about to enter a hormonal reproductive
event that can be monitored via hormone balance.
Relationship between cortisol and estrogen, part I
Relationship between cortisol and estrogen, part III
Relationship between cortisol and estrogen, part III
