Hormone Supplements
| Hormone | Action | Dose |
| Adrenal Glandular Extracts (liquid or powder extracts of animal adrenal glands) |
Support and enhance adrenal activity by providing essential nutrients in combination with very small amounts of adrenal hormones. | 250 mg, 103 times q.d. |
| Melatonin | Secreted by the pineal gland, this hormone promotes relaxation and restorative sleep, and is thus useful for those with insomnia or unable to get restorative sleep, especially seen in the resistance phase. | 3-9 mg at bedtime |
| DHEA | Adrenal hormone that is an adrenal androgen, precursor to testosterone, and glucocorticoid antagonist This last is useful to compensate for the excess cortisol seen in the resistance phase). | 5-100 mg q.d. Should be supplemented shown low on lab testing or of autoimmune disease is an issue. |
| Thyroid Hormones | Shown to normalize adrenal insufficiency itself. However, in more severe forms of hypoadrenalism, thyroid hormone should be used cautiously or avoided in exhaustion phase until the adrenals are supported to reduce risks of tachycardia and anxiety. |
|
| Pregnenolone | Precursor to DHEA | 10-30 mg b.i.d. |
| Cortisol | A course of bio-identical cortisol may be indicated in moderate to severe fatigue. | 1-12 mg Highest dose on rising, then taper dose at noon and afternoon or evening. |
Caution: the use of adrenal hormones, such as cortisol, can potentially cause anxiety and tachycardia. High doses of DHEA can increase testosterone levels.
DHEA, or Progesterone Sythnesis
(Reprinted, with adaptations, by permission of Genova Diagnostic Laboratory)
DHEA is a major steroid hormone linked to balancing the body’s stress response, providing source material for the synthesis of sex hormones, and guarding against the degenerative conditions associated with aging. DHEA is commonly used in restorative medicine in the treatment of adrenal hypofunction. It is derived from pregnenolone.
Pregnenolone has been described as the grandmother of all steroid hormones: 150 different steroid hormones are all derived from pregnenolone. It has been linked to help with memory, mood, and the immune system. Pregnenolone is converted into progesterone or dehyroepiandrosterone (DHEA) according to the body’s needs.
DHEA
- is primarily produced in the adrenal cortex from the steroid precursor pregnenolone, which is synthesized from cholesterol.
- is the major steroid synthesized by the adrenals of the fetus before birth.
- is detectable by age 7 and rises to a maximum at about age 25. Levels decline gradually thereafter, and by age 75 and over, they are about 15% to 20% of their youthful peaks.
- is the most abundant adrenal steroid hormone in the body, and serves as a metabolic intermediate in the pathway for synthesis of testosterone and estrogen (estrone and estradiol).
- helps to regulate a wide array of metabolic and endocrine functions, ranging from the breakdown of fat to maintaining energy levels.
- has been associated with increased emotional well-being and immune function.
- Levels to assess adrenal function are tested through the saliva, and are evaluated in relation to the patient’s age and sex.
DHEA AND HEALTH CONDITIONS
Recent studies support the use of DHEA-S as a biological indicator of stress, aging and age-related diseases. The following health conditions may positively benefit from supplementation with DHEA:
- Neurosis
- Depression
- Psychosomatic disorders
- Peptic ulcer
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Age related dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Immune function
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Coronary atherosclerosis in men
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Amenorrhea
- Cancer
- HIV and AIDS
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Alzheimer’s Disease
DHEA/CORTISOL RATIO
As a maladaptation to stress, a reduction in DHEA and an increase in cortisol synthesis can occur in the adrenal cortex due to mild or severe pathophysiological conditions.
Low DHEA/cortisol ratios were recorded in patients with:
- Surgical stress
- Depression
- Terminal gynecological malignancy treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy
- Anorexia nervosa
An increase in DHEA-S/cortisol ratios, however, was found in patients suffering from panic disorders.
