Posts about sibo | Dr. Emina Jasarevic

Estrogen & Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone are the two dominant female sex hormones produced by the ovaries, as well as the adrenal glands. In a healthy woman, these two hormones are in balance. Estrogen helps the uterine lining develop and is important for ovulation. Estrogen levels normally peak just before ovulation, and then slowly drop off in the second half of a woman’s cycle.

Progesterone is know as the relaxing hormone in the body. It maintains the uterine lining and is necessary for embryo development. Normally, progesterone levels start to rise just before ovulation, and peak around day 21. If a woman does not become pregnant, progesterone levels fall, the uterine lining is then shed and a period begins.

Common conditions occur under the umbrella of “estrogen dominance”, when there is significantly more estrogen than progesterone creating dis-ease such as PMS, migraines or headaches, anxiety or low mood, food cravings, and weight gain.

Estrogen dominance also exists in men, when there is significantly more estrogen than testosterone. This becomes an issue when “aromatization” occurs whereby the body prefers conversion of testosterone to estrogen. In aromatization, men may develop more breast tissue, abdominal weight gain, reduced libido, reduced sexual function, and difficulty maintaining lean muscle mass.

These important hormones are the primary players that shift as women enter into perimenopause. To read more about how these hormones fluctuate during this time and how you can support your transition through pre-, peri- and postmenopausel, click here.

Why do I have allergies?

Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless airborne particles. An allergy is an abnormal hypersensitivity to these airborne particles or environmental antigens called allergens. An allergen can include pollen from trees, grasses, weeds, and ragweed, as well as cat or dog dander, dust and moulds. Exposure to an allergen leads to overactive B cells that in turn produce excess Immunoglobulin E (IgE). IgE then triggers the allergic symptoms by activating mast cells (cells that line the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat) that produce histamine. Common symptoms include: runny nose, sinus congestion, headache, fatigue and itchy eyes.

What are Adrenal Glands?

The adrenal glands are tiny hats, one each, that sit atop your kidneys and secrete hormones to help you deal with and manage stress. The outer part of the glands, called the cortex, releases cortisol, for our stress response and metabolism control, as well as aldosterone to regulate blood pressure. The inner part of the glands are the medulla where adrenaline is released, another part of the stress response.

When your central nervous system perceives stress, it stimulates the adrenal glands to release their hormones as a part of the “fight or flight” response. This can happen several times throughout the day and can vary depending on your lifestyle. For example, an alarm clock startling you out of sleep will trigger this response, as will less sudden stressors like feeling overwhelmed by your overflowing email at work or worrying about finances or family members. In the early stages of stress, this response is actually beneficial. It can improve mental clarity, focus and energy. But over time, the benefits start to fade, and the consequences of chronic stress take over.

What Causes Hypothyroidism?

Chronic Stress & Adrenal Fatigue

The adrenal glands take the leading role when it comes to managing stress through the production of cortisol. Research shows that adrenal fatigue has an impact on thyroid function. Even at mild a degree of deficiency, adrenal fatigue can negatively affect thyroid hormone conversion, utilization, and production. For example, high stress can cause too much cortisol in the circulation which promotes inflammation around the thyroid, and this reduces thyroid receptor responsivity. Therefore, when treating thyroid issues it’s important to address the adrenals, this connection and to care for them both effectively.

Hashimoto’s Hypothyroid

90% of cases of hypothyroidism are due to an autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland by either thyroperoxidase antibodies (TPOAb) or by thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb), a condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. What this means is that the body creates immune cells that attack the gland so that function declines over time. This condition can be triggered by gluten in gluten-sensitive individuals. Similarly, in these people, gluten avoidance for at least 3 months may help lower antibody levels to a normal range.

Thyroid Conversion Disorder

In some cases, the conversion of T4 into T3 doesn’t function properly due an enzyme issue or otherwise. Test results will show normal levels of TSH and T4 but severely low levels of T3. Commonly, in these cases, people are often told by their doctors that their thyroid function is “normal” even though they do not feel normal! This is also why some people who are medicated with Levothyroxine or Synthroid (T4) may feel like their medication is ineffective.

Thyroid Hormone Resistance

Thyroid hormone resistance can be thought of in the same way as insulin resistance is in diabetics. In this condition, the body’s cells are unresponsive to thyroid hormones. In these individuals, T3 and T4 levels can be normal but TSH levels are elevated.

Nutritional Deficiencies

For proper function and the creation of thyroid hormones, the thyroid gland requires the trace minerals iodine, selenium and zinc as well as an amino acid, thyroxine. Deficiency in any of these nutrients, can create symptoms of hypothyroidism. Iodine is found in iodized salt and sea vegetables (such as nori and dulse flakes). I have come to find that iodine deficiency is more prevalent than previous given credit for (a 24 Hour Urine Iodine Challenge Test can determine this). The trace mineral Selenium is abundantly found in Oysters and Brazil nuts, and Zinc is rich in pumpkin seeds and beef. Thyroxine, is the amino acid building block of thyroid hormones and can be found in most sources of protein.

Heavy Metal Toxicity and Mercury

The thyroid hormone and the heavy metal mercury have strikingly similar biochemistry. If an individual has ever had mercury amalgams in their mouth (even if they have now been long removed), both the fact of having had them and likely having had them removed without the proper biological dentistry, the long term exposure of this metal wreaks havoc on the thyroid gland. Sometimes it is prudent to screen for heavy metal toxicity and high levels of mercury that may be causing thyroid suppression. Chelation Therapy for removal of mercury from deep tissue store is one way to treat the underlying hypothyroid condition.

Central Hypothyroidism

In rare cases, disorders of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus in the brain may be an underlying cause for central Hypothyroidism (AKA secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism). There are usually other concerning symptoms (beyond the list seen on this page) that would warrant imaging and more advanced hospital testing.

Dr. Emina jasarevic, nd | Naturopathic physician

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Estrogen & Progesterone

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What Causes Hypothyroidism?

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