Why supplements don’t work with me …

The opposite of stress such as joy, sleep and rest, comfort, peace, security, stability, and good nutrition, are examples of things that help the adrenals. Avoid the stressors and seek out those things that help. Eat more proteins (especially amino acids) and fats (not vegetable oils). Limit carbohydrates, especially sugars. Avoid stimulants and physiologically stressful substances such as caffeine, diet pills, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. If you have allergies, avoid the allergens – common allergens are wheat and dairy.

Note: it’s mainly milk and sometimes cheese that are the diary items that can be problematic. Eggs are generally well tolerated, especially if lightly cooked and even more so taken raw. They are the best most easily digested source of protein we can have

Although this may sound surprising, we actually tend to crave foods to which we are allergic. Metabolic activity (the chemical processes and changes going on in our body) represent a stress. At a level that can be handled by the adrenals, this stress is good for us (Eustress) and maintains life. If metabolic activity is too strong for the adrenals (e.g., excessive thyroid stimulation), it is at a level that is unhealthy (Distress) and wears the adrenals down.

Mold is a common serious stress but difficult to avoid. Reduce as much stress as possible. Even ‘good stress’, such as celebration, can sometimes be excessive for the adrenals. Look for opportunities to experience security, joy and optimism. Learn to avoid negative emotions such as fear (e.g. horror movies), anger, etc. Increase rest – get as much sleep as possible and make the timing as regular as possible. Pushing too hard, excessive work or exercise, and any sleep deprivation stresses the adrenals.

Symptoms of Low Metabolic Energy:
Although many of the symptoms below seem unrelated, they may all stem from the same root problem of low metabolic energy.

For example, if the brain has too little energy, thought processes such as memory and focus become impaired. The body needs energy to keep itself warm – a low body temperature, therefore, usually accompanies low metabolic energy. (For more examples see the above symptoms list.)

In our cells, ready to use energy is in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules. The body converts fats, sugars, etc. into ATP that is then used for energy. However, there are other factors involved that can affect how well our body can make this conversion from those fats and sugars into the ATP molecules.

The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, makes the hormone T4 (thyroxine). T4 converts to T3 (triiodothyronine) and RT3 (reverse T3). The T3 turns on the ATP (energy) making machinery inside each living cell while the RT3 slows it down. Production of these thyroid hormones is controlled by TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), which is released by the pituitary gland in the brain.

The pituitary takes its orders from the hypothalamus (also part of the brain). The adrenal glands, located on top of each kidney, help the body deal with stress. If the metabolic activity is excessive, the adrenals perceive this as a stress. In response to this stress, the hypothalamus will signal the pituitary to produce less TSH, thus producing decreased T4 and thyroid activity.
Based on the above explanation, some of the contributors to low metabolic energy are:
• The thyroid gland cannot make enough T4 (hypothyroidism). RN: or there is poor conversion from T4 to the more active thyroid hormone T
• The adrenal glands are too weak to handle the stress of the body’s normal metabolic energy and force a down-regulation of energy production.
• The enzymes (cellular machinery) which make ATP may be held back due to chemical interference such as toxins, lack of needed ingredients (vitamins or minerals), or breakdown due to auto-immune disease or old viral damage. RN This can be corrected with Glyconutrients
• Hormonal imbalance such as growth hormone, testosterone, estrogen, or progesterone.
• Severe caloric restriction.

As discussed earlier, when one or a combination of these factors is in place the symptoms of low metabolic energy – such as fatigue, weight issues, memory loss, cold hands, dry skin – may start to appear.

Diagnosing Metabolic Energy Problems

To restore energy to a healthy level, the causative problem(s) must be corrected. Toxic exposure, nutritional deficiencies, food allergies (e.g., to wheat), viral, and auto-immune damage are all, to some degree, universal.

If severe enough, any one of these (or a combination of several lesser ones) can overwhelm the body’s metabolic mechanisms and become the cause of the problem. However, these are not as common as the low metabolism caused by adrenal and/or thyroid dysfunction. The corrections described below relate to the most common causes we see, namely sub-optimal adrenal and/or thyroid function.

Before reading on, I wish to point out an observation I’ve made regarding the relationship of the thyroid to the adrenals. They seem to have an inverse relationship. How we appear (physically, emotionally, chemically etc. seems to be a function of how the thyroid and adrenals relate to each other.

A low adrenal function can appear like an excessively high thyroid function (e.g., both may be thin, nervous, have palpitations, be pale, have unstable temperatures etc). A low thyroid function may appear as high adrenal function (e.g., both may appear heavier than expected, have a reddish facial complexion, have stable temperatures, be or appear calm etc).

If poor thyroid function is the only cause, we typically see a reddish complexion, thinning of the outer eyebrows, easy weight gain, depression, sluggishness, excessive sleep, high blood pressure, and a decreased ability to fight infection. Conversely, if poor adrenal function is the only cause, we typically see pallor, full eyebrows, difficulty gaining weight (if the problem is severe), difficulty losing weight (if the problem is moderate), anxiety, exaggerated startle reflex, insomnia and un-refreshing sleep, low blood pressure, allergies and auto-immune problems.

Most people have a mixture of poor thyroid and poor adrenal function rather than purely one or the other, and therefore a mixture of symptoms:

Nobody has all the above symptoms, however, the more severe the problem the greater the number of symptoms will be present. RN: This is a shortened chart, to see the full chart visit Dr Rind’s website here

Are My Metabolic Energy Problems Due to Low Adrenal or Thyroid Function?

You’re worn down, you have trouble sleeping, you have weight problems, you have a hard time remembering things or focusing, you can’t seem to stay warm. The diagnosis for many of these symptoms is low metabolic energy, the cause in many cases is either adrenal fatigue or low thyroid function.

Yes, these are two rather different issues. The adrenals help us manage stress and maintain stability, while the thyroid turns on energy product. There are unique signs and symptoms that correspond to the dysfunction in each.

Recognizing Adrenal and Thyroid Patterns

In working with thyroid and adrenal problems, I have come to appreciate a most interesting and significant observation. Symptoms of adrenal function and thyroid function are opposite one another.

Thus, in low adrenal function, we see weight loss, pallor, hyper-reactive systems, etc.

While, in poor thyroid function, we see weight gain, reddish complexion, hypo-reactive systems, etc.

This ‘opposite’ pattern has powerful implications in diagnosing and treating individuals in a low metabolic state because it allows the root problem of either adrenal or thyroid dysfunction to be addressed.

The general exception to this pattern is in cases where the symptom is due to general low metabolic energy regardless of whether it is caused by thyroid or adrenal dysfunction.

For example, both poor thyroid and poor adrenal function can cause hair loss or poor mental memory and focus. Some interesting observations: Women have a much higher ration of low metabolic energy problems due to adrenal and thyroid dysfunction: ratio is approximately 8:1. Light skin individuals have a tendency toward weaker adrenals and dark skin individuals have a tendency toward weaker thyroids while olive skin individuals tend not to have weak adrenals or thyroids.

Track Your Temperature: A Quick and Easy Way to Determine Metabolic Health

If you’re not feeling quite up to par, take your temperature. Not to determine if you’ve got a fever – rather, temperatures reflect an individual’s metabolic energy state. The average daytime temperature of a healthy individual is 98.6 (37 C) thus making 98.6 the optimal (as opposed to normal*) temperature.

Lower than optimal temperatures reflect a lower than optimal metabolic state which is usually controlled by the thyroid mechanism. Wide variability of temperature reflects an unstable or fatigued adrenal system. Thus, on the road to health, one wants to go from low and/or unstable temperatures to 98.6 and stable if possible. For details of temperature test and a balanced supplement for all Thyroid hormones click here

The Metabolic Temperature Graph™ is an extremely valuable feedback tool that provides a roadmap with which one can see whether they are moving toward or away from a healthy metabolic state. It provides insight as to whether therapeutic efforts are working or not working, as the case may be. This feedback helps guide the treatment program on a daily basis.

It is very important to follow the directions provided to create your own Metabolic Temperature Graph™ as soon as you know you are having a problem with your thyroid and/or adrenals or you suffer from any of the symptoms associated with low metabolic energy. This will provide you a baseline to work from. Once corrective actions are underway, the temperature pattern will show you how your health is progressing.

*Optimal as opposed to Normal. The frequently used term of ‘normal’ refers to a mathematical or statistical situation. Thus, a ‘normal’ state of health probably means you have some medical problems. It may be normal to die at 76 yrs of age, but at 75 years old, you may decide that what you really want is ‘optimal’ health as opposed to ‘normal’. Normal is not the same as optimal, whether it relates to longevity of life, a body temperature or a lab test result.

Recognizing Adrenal and Thyroid Correction Patterns

Although I have documented over a dozen typical temperature correction patterns for an equal number of metabolic dysfunction profiles, adrenal and thyroid temperature correction patterns are the most prevalent.

Is My Adrenal Therapy Working?

Below is a typical temperature pattern showing what we might see in a person receiving proper adrenal support, having an average to good response:

This is usually due to the muscular activity of the tongue and mouth. So, take only one reading. I have found digital oral thermometers most appropriate for monitoring metabolism. There are many good models available. I have found the Lumiscope Digital Thermometer to be one of the most accurate for the price and use these with my patients.

I do not recommend mercury thermometers because: they expose you and the environment to toxic mercury when they break; they are too slow; and, the accuracy depends on leaving them in your mouth the same length of time each time you measure. I do not recommend axillary temperatures because the axillae are relatively cooler and more variable in people with stressed adrenals.

Ear thermometers are the least accurate of all. RN one can purchase a digital thermometer locally and check its accuracy by comparison with a glass clinical thermometer a few times. Add or deduct the error when taking readings with the digital thermometer. Modern digital thermometers are very convenient and only take about 15- 30 seconds to give a reading.

Interpreting Results

Interpreting the collected data is both a science and art. These are a few of the basic principles.

Thermal activity reflects metabolic activity. A low temperature means low metabolism and vice versa. For example, the temperature typically found in someone who is old, frail, pale and weak is low and typically ranges from 95 to 97 degrees if no infection is present.
A healthy person will have an average temperature of 98.6 degrees, but may have a 100 degree or higher temperature in a hyperthyroid state or as high as a 104 to 105 degree temperature if there is a fever present these are high metabolic states.

Wide variability in daily temperatures indicates a weak adrenal function since the adrenal glands help the body maintain stability. Good adrenal function produces a stable temperature. As adrenal function improves, the temperature variability decreases and vice versa. As adrenals get stressed (either from emotional stress, excess metabolic stimulation such as excessive thyroid stimulation, or for other reasons), the variability increases.

In a hypothyroid state, the day-to-day averages are low and very stable. In a hypoadrenal state including adrenal exhaustion or adrenal stress, the temperatures are low and unstable — one day they may average 96 degrees and one to two degrees higher the next day.

If the temperature graph is the road map, the explanatory notes are the road signs. Without them, the pattern changes become very difficult to interpret. These notes provide context for the temperature data. They also reveal what components of the treatment program are working and what components or other factors are not.