ADRENAL & THYROID GLANDS WORKING TOGETHER: DISCUSSION ON HOW TO PROTECT THESE MAJOR STRUCTURES OF THE HUMAN BODY By DR. M. SCUNZIANO, MD, NMD 03/26/2015

1. By
DR. M. SCUNZIANO, MD, NMD
03/26/2015
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ADRENAL & THYROID GLANDS
WORKING TOGETHER:
DISCUSSION ON HOW TO
PROTECT THESE MAJOR STRUCTURES
OF THE HUMAN BODY

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Contents:
1) What are glands?
2) Adrenal glands
3) Thyroid gland
4) The interplay of adrenal & thyroid
5) Factors that maintain healthy function
6) Negative influences on the glands
7) What if a gland is damaged or removed?
8) Conventional treatments for abnormalities
9) Other healthful helpful information
10) References

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Groups of cells or body tissues that manufacture
(synthesize) substances known as biochemicals
such as hormones, enzymes, immune defenses
and other body regulators. These substances are
moved from the glands either
1) directly into the bloodstream
2) into body cavities
3) outside of the body onto the skin
WHAT ARE GLANDS?

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The glands of the body include:
Adrenals, thyroid, parathyroid,
pineal, pituitary, lacrimal (secrete
tears), salivary, thymus, breasts,
pancreas, ovaries, testes, sweat
glands.
Other tissues that function as glands include: heart, stomach,
kidneys, adipose or fat cells, placenta.

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Glands can be classified as:
1) Endocrine: the glands are stimulated by nerve impulses to secrete
their substances DIRECTLY into the surrounding bloodstream to
immediately affect a target organ, muscle or other body tissue. They
are considered DUCTLESS. The ADRENALS & THYROID are both
endocrine glands.
2) Exocrine: glands secrete their substances via DUCTS to a target site to
regulate a region. For example, the pancreas sends enzymes via ducts
or tubes into the small intestine to help digest food. Exocrine glands
have more sub-classifications that we will not cover in this discussion.
3) Heterocrine: both endocrine and exocrine capacities; the pancreas is
an example of this type as it sends secretions directly into the blood
and also via ducts to other organs.

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ADRENAL GLANDS (AD= on, RENAL=kidney)
These are 2 in total, each one sitting
atop each of the 2 kidneys of the
human body shaped like a small
pyramid. One gland is approximately
10 grams (the weight of 2 nickels) and
no larger than a walnut in its shell in
size.
The adrenals are ESSENTIAL FOR LIFE.
If one gland is sacrificed or absent, the
other will work efficiently to provide the body with the following in order
to survive and protect itself from collapse:

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1) Hormones that support blood pressure and the entire
cardiovascular system (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol and
more)
2) Hormones that regulate water and electrolyte balance
(aldosterone, cortisol)
3) Hormones to protect the body against inflammation and injury
(cortisol)
4) Sex hormone production for both women and men; in women,
post menopause, the adrenals become the main source of
estrogen after the ovaries cease function (pregnenolone, DHEA,
progesterone, testosterone, estrone and more)

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5) Sugar/carbohydrate regulation (cortisol)
6) Fat distribution (cortisol)
7) Utilization of fat and protein for energy (cortisol)
The base molecule for adrenal hormone manufacture is
CHOLESTEROL. This is then converted into all the hormones
that we rely on for life!

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Adrenal glands are stimulated/activated into high gear under
increased stress by:
1) The brain when one senses danger, pain or other stress
2) Other hormones that may be reduced or elevated
The ADRENALS are working to maintain life at any moment so
that if one is faced with STRESS, i.e. pain, bad news, a sudden
unexpected event or anticipation of an upcoming event, it is
the ADRENAL glands that are right on and ever ready to
safeguard and protect the person from harm or breakdown.

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BUT,
…one must also have another gland
working well to support the adrenals
and that is THE THYROID GLAND.

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THYROID GLAND
A “shield or butterfly shaped”
organ located in the lower front of
the neck just under the VOICE
BOX (thyroid cartilage) and is not
easily felt by touch unless
ENLARGED (GOITER). The gland
has right and left lobes connected
in the center of the neck by an ISTHMUS. It is larger in size than
the adrenal gland put together: can weigh 18-50+ grams. The
ENLARGEMENT or HYPERTROPHY of the gland is called a
GOITER and it is indicative of stresses on the thyroid gland.

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WHAT DOES THE THYROID DO?
1) Metabolism
2) Growth and
development
3) Body weight
4) Body temperature
5) Digestive function
6) Brain function-
cognition, memory, etc.
7) Fertility
8) Skin, hair and nail
(integument) integrity
9) Total energy levels
10)Sleep cycles
11)Libido, sex drive
12)It contains the
PARATHYROID glands, a
group of 4 glands that
regulate calcium

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Thyroid hormone (thyroxine) is formed in the gland with the
help of tyrosine (an amino acid that is formed from another
amino acid, phenylalanine) and iodine. Both tyrosine and
iodine MUST be present to form thyroid hormones.
If the thyroid gland is NOT working well as a result of genetics,
exposures to radiation, lack of nutrients or some other
destructive element, it will cause a DYSREGULATION of
different body functions and this will happen in conjunction
with the ADRENAL GLANDS that will be sensing a malfunction
of the system. The CONVERSE is true as well!

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INTERPLAY of ADRENAL & THYROID GLANDS
A LOW functioning adrenal gland will alter the thyroid
gland by reducing the thyroid’s ability to convert its
stored hormone T4 into an active one, T3. If, on the
other hand, a thyroid function is lowered by some
mechanism, the adrenal gland will be alerted and send
out stress hormones, i.e. cortisol and catecholamines
like adrenaline (epinephrine) that stimulate the body
and can cause the following:

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1) increased heart rate
2) anxiety
3) irritability
4) exhaustion
5) bowel loosening or constipation
6) mental confusion or memory shortage

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Excess ADRENAL cortisol secretion can alter the T3 to
EXCESS! This leads to a very irritable body! This must be
measured and confirmed for a better understanding.
NOTE: These are not the only symptoms and the 2
glands are not the only factors involved in the total
dysfunction of the person. A person who presents with
symptoms above will need to be reviewed and assessed
for several possible causes but the GLANDS must be
analyzed carefully in order to prevent the exclusion or
oversight of their VERY SIGNIFICANT functions.

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FACTORS THAT HELP KEEP GLAND
FUNCTION HEALTHY
1) Proper diet with WHOLE FOODS and little-to-no junk in food or
drink.
2) Daily exercise of the entire body and this does not include task
performing such as shopping, laundry or pulling weeds! It does
include good-paced or power walks, runs, playing a sport,
working on exercise equipment, etc. for approximately 30
minutes daily. It is best to divide into intervals of 10-15 minutes
AM and PM.
3) Avoid exposure to excess radiation, electronics, computers and
other electrical or harmful wave emitting devices

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4) Avoid INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL EXPOSURE by using safety
measures, i.e. masks, gloves and other gear to protect the body
5) Use ONLY reputable and high quality supplements or compounds.
6) Follow instruction for use of hormone replacement and do not
carelessly avoid or manipulate dosing without a legitimate health
care provider to guide and follow you.
7) Seek out as much information you can on family lineage with
regard to health problems to determine your risks by genetics

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8) REDUCE YOUR STRESS LEVELS MAXIMALLY. Take out all
those items from your life that are causing you PAIN,
ANGER, FRUSTRATION, IRRITABILITY.
9) Join an group for support at any level and for any cause
that you need help
10) Contribute your time and energy into helping others-
humans or animals. Working to help a greater cause will
invigorate and relax your mind and contribute to the
health of your glands.

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NEGATIVE FACTORS ON GLAND FUNCTION
 CONSTANT STRESS. When you are always in a FIGHT OR FLIGHT mode,
your adrenals and thyroid glands are STRESSED. A chronic situation
will lead to the poor functioning of both these systems that will, in
turn, cause damage to the entire body. For example, chronic stress
leads to UNDERREGULATION OF BODY SYSTEMS with EXCESS
BIOCHEMICAL SECRETIONS and the eventual development of
cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes and cancer
 JUNK FOODS. Processed, sugary, dairy, artificially sweetened &
colored foods are all NUTRIENT DEPLETING and body system
wreckers. Take them out now and avoid them. Why would you take
these products anymore if you know they are nothing but a menace
to you????????????

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 RADIATION. In the form of xrays, scans, electronics, excess sun exposure
(basking or out in direct sunlight for more than 30 minutes without
cover), certain medications and supplements that can have radioactive
materials in them. The THYROID gland is particularly sensitive to all of
this and it WILL DECLINE in function.
 CHEMICALS OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE BODY. It is prudent to know what
you are exposing yourself to whether it be a hair chemical, a fumigant,
topical lotion or gel, type of water or drink. All of these items can
negatively affect our gland function. Moreover, internal formation of
abnormal substances as a result of outside exposures will lend to the
breakdown of gland and organ function. Remember PESTICIDES AND
GERMICIDES IN AND AROUND YOUR HOME WILL CAUSE TROUBLE if not
kept in check or eliminated. CHILDREN are most vulnerable followed by
the senior most members of society.

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AGE. As indicated, CHILDREN & ELDERLY are
susceptible to the harmful environmental
exposures mentioned above. All gland function will
begin to decline by age 35. It is a very slow process
but can be accelerated by above factors.

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REMOVAL OR INJURY BY ILLNESS
RE: ADRENAL OR THYROID
1) Your glands may need to have their hormones replaced if either or
both do not function properly.
2) If there is a surgical removal of one or other gland, replacement is
usually needed. This would be true for a COMPLETE gland
removal.
3) Partial removal of a gland may not call for replacement.
4) If a thyroid gland is ABLATED by RADIOACTIVE IODINE due to
GRAVES HYPERTHYROIDISM, you are likely going to need a
replacement of the thyroid hormone because the gland will end
up UNDERACTIVE. This is lifelong.

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4) If you have an ADRENAL insufficiency like ADDISON’s disease, you
will need lifelong adrenal hormone replacement.
5) ALL CANCERS of either gland are usually surgically removed
(unless you have an alternative natural form of treatment) and
hormones replacement may or may not be necessary, depending
on how much of tissue is removed.
6) PARATHYROID removal (if complete) in cancers of the thyroid will
require lifelong replacement of calcium/vitamin D. The
parathyroid glands are tiny (size of a rice piece) located in the
tissue of the thyroid itself and these glands regulate calcium
movement in and out of blood. Surgeons will try to save one or
more of the parathyroid glands so that there is less of a need for
replacement.

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For THYROID disease:
Hyperthyroidism or over active thyroid function. This results in
symptoms such as: hyperactivity, rapid weight loss, diarrhea,
heart pounding, eyes bulging forward, hair loss, irritability,
depressed or anxious mood and inability to concentrate. If left
unchecked or untreated, heart dysrhythmias and heart disease
CONVENTIONAL TREAMENTS…
is likely; osteoporosis can occur; mental
disability and loss of vision are all possible.
The condition is either medically or
radioactively blunted. The result is usually
hypothyroidism that will in turn require
thyroid hormone replacement.

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Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid
function. A slow gland activity will cause
sluggishness, low energy, slow reactions,
slow reflexes, memory loss, brain fog,
weight gain, loss of hair, nail breakage,
constipation, infertility, menstrual
irregularities, depression and more. This is
usually treated with a SYNTHETIC form of
thyroid hormone.

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Adrenal insufficiency or ADDISON’s disease. Lifelong
replacement of cortisol and other hormones. Not very
commonly diagnosed but we are seeing forms of this
in terms of adrenal stress that is recognized in
NATUROPATHIC circles as ADRENAL EXHAUSTION.
Conventional medicine is not actively treating the
latter condition with any particular pharmaceutical or
regimen.
For ADRENAL disease:

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Adrenal Overactivity, Primary Hyperaldosteronism
or CONN’s SYNDROME. This is an excess secretion
of aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid (an adrenal
steroid that regulates salt and water balance). This
condition results in high blood pressure and
swelling. It is treated with antagonists to
aldosterone such as a med known as
SPIRINOLACTONE.

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WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR GLAND
PROBLEMS ON YOUR OWN

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It is PRUDENT to know what is wrong with your glands
if you are suspecting a problem. The first order of
business would be to consult your healthcare provider.
You will need guidance because of the multitude
possible causes for your symptoms as they appear.
Having knowledge of FAMILY history will be a good idea
and may help the provider understand more about
your condition and tailor the diagnostic program to
meet your specific needs.

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It is not wise to ASSUME that you have what
someone else you know has. If your mother, sister,
brother, boyfriend or neighbor has a condition
with fatigue and other disturbing symptoms and
YOU DO ALSO, DO NOT CONCLUDE THAT YOU
HAVE THE SAME CONDITION!! This is often
assumed and the person in question will panic or
become stressed not knowing if he/she even has
such a condition.

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DO NOT simply go on the internet and have the diagnosis set
based on what you read. There are many inherent problems with
self-diagnosis, especially when it involves your organs that may be
at high risk.
DO NOT rely on a television program either. Your condition needs
to be seen up close and personal by a qualified health provider.
AVOID taking several supplements because you read it in the
paper or a publication by someone who “KNOWS ALL ABOUT
YOUR PROBLEM”. Be careful of these traps that can lure you when
you are desperate or refusing to seek professional help.

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I advise you to be VERY WARY of all over-the-counter products
that are advertised as substances to take away your problem.
You should proceed with caution and ask questions of the
person who is selling the product- in a retail store or even on
the internet. Many people are spending and WASTING money
on products that do not work or can potentially be harmful. If
you do not know how the substance truly works or if it interacts
with drugs you use or must be taken with other nutrients, you
really should not use it until these items are KNOWN!!
The use of WHOLE FOODS is generally the best way to help
yourself.

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Take time to understand the foods and read or ask questions
on how they can help (or hinder) your gland functions. Take a
look:
Cruciferous veggies like cabbage, broccoli and Brussel sprouts
are very good for their DIM or diindolymethane and
diosgenin compounds that are good for keeping estrogen in
check and lowering “bad forms” of
estrogen like xenoestrogens or excess
estradiol with hormone replacement or
with obesity.

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ONE CAVEAT, HOWEVER, on these cruciferous
veggies is that they should not be used in RAW form or use
very little in this form when you have an underactive thyroid
problem. COOK these veggies to reduce the “ANTITHYROID
effect”. No need to avoid them folks, just be aware!
One may use SOY but make sure it is ORGANIC and not in high
quantities. It can possibly slow thyroid enzymes down a bit due
to isoflavones and genistein. Keep quantities small if you eat
soy products. There is NO EVIDENCE, however, that one needs
to avoid soy due to harmful outcomes.

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AVOID high intake of caffeine found in chocolate,
coffee, tea, frozen desserts that OVERSTIMULATE THE
ADRENALS. Keep it decaf or lessen the caffeine to 1
serving daily only.
EXCESS SIMPLE SUGAR AND ARTIFICIAL
SWEETENERS. These are bad for our health to begin
with and they will wreak havoc on the glands and
ultimately cause health problems so do your best to
reduce or eliminate them altogether. Guideline for
sugars: women should take no more than 6
teaspoon equivalent (24 grams) of added sugar a
day and men, no more than 9 tsp (36 grams).

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Iodine will need guidance for supplementation by a
qualified provider. Not everyone can take this element and
its use is cautioned with certain conditions!
Brazil Nuts are a great source of SELENIUM, so if you are
not allergic or sensitive to them, use 3-5 maximum daily.
SEAWEED from a direct source or in granulated form from a
health shop is very good to add to your diet. It is safe and
rich with nutrients. It is helpful for all gland function.
OTHER HELPFUL BITS…

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Coconut oil can be used in cooking or a spoon added to you diet daily if
you enjoy this. It has lauric acid that is antiviral and medium chain
triglycerides that are known to be helpful for the thyroid and brain.
ASHWAGANDHA (withania somnifera) aka “Indian Ginseng”is an herb
that has been used for many centuries as an ADAPTOGEN. It is helpful
for the adrenal glands under stress. Doses of 400-1000mg a day have
been used safely under stressful periods. Do not use indefinitely. Take
for 4 weeks then stop for 2 weeks. Use as needed.
ELEUTHERO or Siberian Ginseng is at least 4,000 years in use. Another
adaptogen that you may use as needed for 4- 6 weeks at a time and to
take a few weeks off before resumption. Up to 2000mg or 2 grams a day
can be used.

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References:
 Shames, R., M.D. and Shames, K., Ph.D, R.N. Thyroid
Power: 10 Steps to Total Health; Willow Morrow Pub.,
USA 2002
 Wilson, J., N.D., D.C., Ph.D. Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st
Century Stress Syndrome; Smart Pub., USA, 2001.
 www.andreabeaman.com