Therapeutics Endocrine

Front 1

The principal Endocrine Glands (7)

Back 1

1. Hypothalamus/Pituitary
2. Thyroid/Parathyroid
3. Adrenal glands
4. Pancreas
5. Thymus
6. Ovaries and testes
7. Pineal gland

Front 2

DISEASES OF THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM (7)

Back 2

1. Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis)
2. Graves’ disease and Thyroiditis - autoimmune
3. Hypothyroidism
4. Hypopituitarism (Pituitary tumour)
5. Diabetes mellitus
6. Cushing's syndrome
7. Addison's disease

Front 3

Thyroid Hormones (3)

Back 3

1. Triiodothyronine (T3), the potent form of thyroid hormone
2. Thyroxine (T4), a less active form of thyroid hormone (Primarily)
3. Calcitonin

Front 4

Thyroid tests

Back 4

• TSH Test – Up in hypo
• Free T4 / Free Thyroxine
• Total T4/Total Thyroxine
• Total T3/Total Triiodothyronine
• Free T3 / Free Triiodothyronine
• Thyroglobulin (Tg) - levels are low or undetectable with normal thyroid function but can by elevated in thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, or thyroid cancer. Monitoring of Tg levels is frequently used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment for thyroid cancer and to monitor for thyroid cancer recurrence.

Front 5

HYPERTHYROIDISM- Signs and symptoms (12)

Back 5

1. Sudden weight loss, even when your appetite and food intake remain normal or increase
2. Rapid heartbeat (tachycardia) — commonly more than 100 beats a minute — irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or pounding of your heart (palpitations), racing pulse, problems with heart
3. Nervousness, anxiety or anxiety attacks, irritability
4. Tremor — usually a fine trembling in your hands and fingers
5. Sweating (excessive)
6. Changes in menstrual patterns
7. Increased sensitivity to heat
8. Changes in bowel patterns, especially more frequent bowel movements
9. An enlarged thyroid gland (goiter), which may appear as a swelling at the base of your neck
10. Fatigue, muscle weakness, tiredness
11. Difficulty sleeping
12. High blood pressure

Front 6

Hyperthyroidism causes (6)

Back 6

1. autoimmune- Graves' disease,
2. Thyroiditis,
3. toxicity,
4. inflammation from toxic substances or radiation exposure,
5. toxic thyroid nodules
6. over-stimulation due to an overactive pituitary gland.

Front 7

Herbs Specific for Hyperthyroidism (3)

Back 7

Lycopus virginicus- Bugleweed - nervine, cardotonic, antithyroxine
Melissa officinalis – Carminative, Anti-spasmodic, Anti-depressive, Diaphoretic, Hypotensive
Leonurus cardiaca – Sedative, Anti-spasmodic, Cardiac tonic

Lycopus appears to have several mechanisms of action:
* Inhibition of receptor binding of TSH (2)
* whole extracts bind to and inactivate the thyroid-stimulating autoantibodies produced in Grave’s disease, possibly by binding to the TSH receptor. (3,11)
* Inhibition of iodine metabolism and release of thyroid hormone, by cyclic AMP inhibition at thyroid membrane (11)
* Oral doses of Lycopus inhibit the conversion of T4 to T3 in the peripheral tissues. (20)
Hence, Lycopus is an essential herb to use in people with hyperthyroidism.

Front 8

HYPOTHYROIDISM - underactive thyroid gland. The female:male ratio is approximately 6:1. Signs and symptoms: (12)

Back 8

1. Increased sensitivity to cold, low basal body temperature
2. Constipation
3. Pale, dry skin
4. A puffy face, rough, dry skin and hair
5. Hoarse voice
6. An elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride level
7. Unexplained weight gain
8. Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
9. Pain, stiffness or swelling in your joints
10. Muscle weakness
11. Heavier than normal menstrual periods, fertility problems
12. Depression, loss of libido
Person feels tired, depressed, sluggish and cold. Up to 10% of women have it and it may be undiagnosed!

Front 9

Hypothyroidism causes (8)

Back 9

1. Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (autoimmune),
2. lack of iodine,
3. heavy metal- esp.
4. mercury toxicity, fluoride, bromide, radiation,
5. Viral-bacterial infections,
6. intestinal dysbiosis- Candida, other endobacteria, nutritional deficiencies,
7. lack of exercise
8. certain medications

Front 10

Hypothyroidism Specific Herbs (4)

Back 10

• Withania somnifera – Adaptogen, Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulator, Nervine, Nutrative
Has been found in animal models to increase T4 concentrations, indicating it may stimulate the synthesis and/or release of T4 directly at the glandular level.

• Coleus forskohlii - The unique herb coleus (C. forskohlii) can be used to strengthen thyroid function by increasing intracellular cAMP levels
anti-glaucoma, anti-platelet, bronchospasmolyltic, cardiotonic, hypotensive
• Spirulina, seaweeds.
• Circulatory stimulants like Rosmarinus officinalis, Zingiber, Cinnamomum

Front 11

Basel Body Temperature test

Back 11

Dr.Broda Barnes test- BBT- Basal Body temperature test (36.6-36.8C)- is the most accurate test to detect hypothyroid

Front 12

TYPE 2 DIABETES signs and symptoms (10)

Back 12

1. Constant hunger
2. Polyuria
3. Polydipsia
4. Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
5. Flu-like symptoms, including weakness and fatigue
6. Blurred vision
7. Slow healing of cuts or bruises
8. Tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet
9. Recurring gum or skin infections
10. Recurring vaginal or bladder infections

Front 13

Major Complications of Diabetes (6)

Back 13

1. Cardiovascular disease ‐ adults with diabetes have death rates from cardiovascular disease about 2‐4 times higher than adults without diabetes.
2. Hypertension ‐ about 75% of adults with diabetes have high blood pressure.
3. Retinopathy ‐ DM is the leading cause of blindness among adults.
4. Renal disease ‐ DM is the leading reason for dialysis treatment, accounting for 43% of new cases.
5. Neuropathy ‐ about 60%‐70% of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nervous system damage. Severe forms of diabetic nerve disease are a major contributing cause of lower‐extremity amputations.
6. Amputations ‐ more than 60% of lower‐limb amputations in the US occur among people with diabetes.

Front 14

Acute complications

Back 14

- Diabetic coma: Causes- lack of insulin, dehydration, acidosis due to ketones
If coma, smell breath
First aid: if conscious, water, if in coma 999 –infusion + insulin

2- Hypoglycaemic coma: Causes: Too much insulin or too much exercise, delayed meal.
First signs: confusion, sweating, trembling, speech difficulty (can appear like drunk)

Front 15

Dietary tips for Diabetes (9)

Back 15

1. Balance blood sugars, eat little and often, low GI/ refined carbohydrates
2. Plant based diet
3. Good Quality Protein – should avoid high protein/ low carb diets
4. High Antioxidants – esp C & E
5. EFA’s
6. Increase Fibre & Water
7. Avoid – Sat fats, adrenal stimulants
8. Include daily exercise to help burn glucose
9. Reduce stress – shown to have an effect on blood glucose control

Front 16

Diabetes - Important Vits and Minerals (3)

Back 16

Chromium - glucose tolerance factor (GTF) is needed to facilitate insulin's work of transporting excess blood sugar into the cells. Chromium's main function is to increase the sensitivity of the cell receptors to insulin, thus increasing the effectiveness of glucose metabolism
Magnesium - critical to the metabolism of carbohydrates and is needed for the synthesis and secretion of insulin.
Vitamin B3 – part of glucose tolerance factor. Important for carbohydrate and fat metabolism

Front 17

Herbs for Diabetes (4)

Back 17

1. Cinnamomum cassia – Carminative, Astringent, Aromatic, Stimulant
One of the most talked about benefits of cinnamon relates to type 2 diabetes. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found that half a teaspoon of cinnamon a day significantly reduces blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It also reduces triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels among this group.
2. Trigonella foenum-graecum – Expectorant, Demulcent, Tonic, Galactagogue
fenugreek seeds improves glycemic control and decreases insulin resistance in mild type-2 diabetic patients. There is also a favourable effect on hypertriglyceridemia
3. Gymnema sylvestre - antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, weight ruducing
(assists the pancreas in the production of insulin in Type 2 diabetes, also improves the ability of insulin to lower blood sugar in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It decreases cravings for sweet. This herb can be an excellent substitute for oral blood sugar-lowering drugs in Type 2 diabetes),

4. Panax ginseng & berberine was found to increase sensitivity of the tissue to insulin and lower blood sugar levels,

Front 18

ADRENAL CORTEX produces

Back 18

• Glucocorticoids (affect glucose haemostasis)
• Mineral corticoids
• Gonadocorticoids - androgens

Front 19

ADRENAL MEDULLA produces:

Back 19

• Adrenaline
• Noradrenaline

Front 20

CUSHING’S SYNDROME

Back 20

Moon Face - occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a prolonged period of time. Sometimes called hypercortisolism (body produces too much or too much corticosteroids taken).
1. Weight gain, particularly around your midsection and upper back
2. Fatigue & Muscle weakness
3. Fatty pad or hump between your shoulders (buffalo hump)
4. Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of your abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
5. Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (Hirsutism)
6. Irregular or absent menstrual periods in females
7. Erectile dysfunction in males

Front 21

ADDISON'S DISEASE

Back 21

is a disorder that results in your body producing insufficient amounts of hormones produced by your adrenal glands. Hypocortisolism, Adrenal insufficiency . Signs and symptoms:
1. Muscle weakness and fatigue, tiredness
2. Weight loss and decreased or no appetite
3. Darkening of your skin (hyper pigmentation)
4. Low blood pressure, even fainting
5. Salt craving
6. Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
7. Nausea, diarrhoea or vomiting, abdominal pains
8. Menstrual disturbances

Front 22

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/ME:

Back 22

There can be 9-10 possible causes for it. Virus, allergy, nutritional deficiencies, toxins, lifestyle, stress, underactive thyroid, low blood sugar, gut dysbiosis - Candida,

Front 23

METABOLIC SYNDROME- SYNDROME X –

Back 23

is a metabolic imbalance that results from the primary disorder of insulin resistance. The body's tissues have ceased to respond normally to insulin. Insulin levels rise and lead, directly or indirectly, to other metabolic disorders. It increases the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

Front 24

METABOLIC SYNDROME- SYNDROME X – Signs and symptoms

Back 24

1. Obesity, particularly around your waist (having an "apple shape") Men — more than 40 inches, Women — more than 35 inches
2. Elevated blood pressure
3. An elevated level of the blood fat called triglycerides and a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol
4. Resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body
5. Prothrombotic state (e.g., high fibrinogen or plasminogen activator inhibitor [–1] in the blood)
6. Proinflammatory state (e.g., elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the blood).

Front 25

THE HYPOTHALAMIC PITUITARY-ADRENAL AXIS (HPA AXIS) – imbalance symptoms

Back 25

1. Insulin
2. stress,
3. anxiety,
4. weight gain,
5. thyroid problems,
6. fatigue,
7. unbalanced sexual hormones, and countless other body difficulties.

Front 26

HPA Axis What brings it out of balance?

Back 26

Stress
• causes insomnia, depression, anxiety, headache, poor digestion, irritability, immune disturbances, hormonal imbalances, or fatigue.
• Stress can be caused by bad diet, toxins, pathogens, genetic weakness or hyper activity of sympathetic nervous system.

Front 27

Herbs for Stress & HPA axis (3)

Back 27

• Licorice – Expectorant, Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory, Adrenal tonic, Anti-spasmodic, Mild laxative
appears to have adrenal glucocorticoid –like activity, augmenting the availability of cortisol.
In times of prolonged stress, licorice may help reduce adrenal fatigue.

• Eleutheroccus senticosus – Adaptogen, immunomodulator, tonic, antioxidant, cardioprotective,

The eleutherosides seem to act on the adrenal glands and prevent excessive cortisol production during times of stress. They also appear to help reduce the exhaustion phase of stress.

• Withania – Adaptogen, Anti-inflammatory, Immunomodulator, Anti-tumour, Nervine, Reproductive tonic
Shown to have a balancing effect on the HPA axis

Front 28

Celiac Disease

Back 28

1. Weightloss
2. Digestive problems – cramping, bloating, pain, smelly stools
3. Malabsoption – so Multiple Nutritional Def
4. Possible complecations – Insulin dependant Diabetes, Chron’s Disease, Urticara, Dermatitis

Front 29

Celiac Disease Naturopathic Treatment

Back 29

1. No Gluten, cows products
2. Pancreatic enzymes
3. Vit A,E, Betacarotine
4. High Dose multivit/multi mineral
5. Herbal Actions