The thyroid-adrenal-pancreas axis is one of the most important connections in understanding and healing your thyroid.  In addition to gastrointestinal and blood sugar disorders, adrenal gland dysfunction is one of the most commonly seen imbalance in today’s society.  Adrenal gland imbalances are also one of the major factors that cause thyroid hormone imbalance.  Stress from work, relationships, electronics, poor diet choices such as consumption of refined carbohydrates and trans fats, infections, and environmental toxins all contribute to adrenal disorders.  Let's discuss the thyroid-adrenal-pancreas axis in detail so you can understand this complex connection

The Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands are about the size of a walnut and lie on top of the kidneys.  The outer adrenal cortex comprises eighty percent of the gland and produces many hormones including cortisol and DHEA from cholesterol.  Ninety percent of the cholesterol in the body is made by the liver and only ten percent comes from the diet.

Cholesterol converts into the hormone pregnenolone in the adrenal cortex which then converts to cortisol, the stress hormone, or DHEA, the sex hormone source, immune enhancer and anabolic.  Cortisol is our “fight or flight” stress hormone.  Cortisol slows down digestion, suppresses immune function and raises blood sugar as a survival mechanism when we are under stress.  The problem arises when this becomes chronic and over time, elevated cortisol will tear down your body.

Cortisol is secreted on a circadian rhythm with highest production in the morning that slowly tapers off as the day progresses.  Sleep is when our bodies repair and rejuvenate but high cortisol during sleep will prevent this from happening.

Hormones Secreted by the Adrenal Glands

DHEA

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is a precursor to estrogens, progesterone and testosterone.  DHEA is extremely important for immune system function and anabolic (building up) processes in the body.  DHEA levels begin to decline after age thirty-five but cortisol can remain elevated during continuing periods of stress.  Low DHEA levels are also found in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, cancer, fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis and of course, thyroid disorders.

The inner medulla produces adrenalin and noradrenalin also known as norepinephrine and epinephrine.  The cortex is under the control of hormones produced in the brain and the medulla is under the control of the nervous system.

Healthy adrenal glands are vital for women who are peri- and post-menopausal.  The adrenal glands are responsible for producing the majority of sex hormones in a menopausal woman once the ovaries stop functioning.  If the adrenal glands are fatigued and not ready for menopause, there will be an exaggeration of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, sleep problems, bone loss, mood swings, depression, anxiety, loss of sex drive and vaginal dryness.  Healthy adrenals ensure an easy transition into menopause and beyond.  A vast majority of the women I see in practice approach menopause with adrenal imbalances leading to severe menopausal symptoms and hormone dysfunction.

Aldosterone

Aldosterone is produced by the cortex and causes sodium absorption and potassium excretion.  Low salt diets and high water intake put a major stress on the adrenal glands to retain as much salt as possible as the blood becomes more diluted from the extra water intake.  One of the easiest ways to maintain healthy adrenals is to consume a half- teaspoon of unrefined celtic sea salt every morning with a few glasses of water.  It’s important to consume half of your bodyweight in ounces of water every day but it must be balanced with salt to remove stress from the adrenal glands.