To Your Health
June, 2008 (Vol. 02, Issue 06) |
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Many cases of hypothyroid actually are misdiagnosed. When our stress chemicals rise, our thyroid levels decrease (similar to suppression of immune response). Many people take thyroid medications but don't feel 100 percent better.
This is because the problem is in the adrenal hormones, and the thyroid is
not the root of the problem.
Testing Stress
So, why don't many doctors test the adrenals? Stress testing in conventional medicine is mostly related to cardiac health. A treadmill, ECG and even stress echocardiograms test how your heart responds to stress. However, rarely are the stress organs - the adrenal glands - tested for their stress response. Getting your adrenal hormones tested is essential. Adrenal cortisol (one of the major stress hormones) fluctuates throughout the day on a diurnal cycle. It should be high when we wake up to give us energy, and low when we go to sleep. Normally, four salivary samples are taken during one day. Four blood samples could be taken, but would be troublesome for most people, and salivary cortisol is accurate. Your doctor can perform a salivary adrenal test. It's the first step to feeling better.
The results of an adrenal test will show elevations or suppressions of our stress response. Different therapies can modulate and regulate adrenal hormones. Herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines and vitamin, mineral and glandular therapies are all possible options to heal your body. The correct treatment is better selected from adrenal test results.
Eliminating Stress
You also can start to decrease your stress today. Exercise is the first step to feeling better. Daily walking, jogging, biking, swimming, lifting weights or competitive sports should be started immediately. The key is making it a daily habit and choosing something you enjoy. No excuses! Exercise at the same time every day. If you feel tired after you exercise, then exercise before bed. If you feel energized after you exercise, then exercise when you wake up. If your day is full, find 20 minutes and do it. Remember, no excuses. Calming exercise techniques such as yoga, tai chi or meditation also are beneficial. They will extend your life and increase the quality of every day.
