As long ago as the 1980s American physicians noted that their most difficult-to-treat candida patients had endocrine systems that were not working properly, known as the APICH syndrome. ... Thyroid tests often indicate that the thyroid is functioning normally, but body temperature is inexplicably low. ...

In simple terms, the endocrine system (part of the hormonal system) has a number of glands e.g. ovaries, testes, adrenals and thyroid all controlled by the pituitary gland (the master gland) and the hypothalamus in the brain. Under direction from the brain, each gland releases a chemical messenger (hormone) into the blood stream, that circulates until it finds its target site - a receptor specially-shaped for it on various organs. The hormone fits into the receptor and turns it on - like a key opening a lock. All of our organs (including the brain) have receptors, and the arrival of the hormone messenger governs the activity of the organ, turning it up or down, on or off.

It is a complex system because some hormones have more than one function, and hormones work with or against each one other.

Once candida has overgrown, it can bind to hormones changing their "key" shape so they are unable to fit 'lock' in their receptor. This effectively inactivates the circulating hormone, making all endocrine problems ten times worse.

What is the APICH syndrome?

Autoimmune Polyendocrinopathy Immune-dysregulation Candidosis Hypersensitivity syndrome. This syndrome was identified in the USA in the 1980s as an endocrine disorder afflicting all really difficult-to-treat candida patients.

We are suggesting that candida is a side-effect of an endocrine disorder (hormonal imbalance). It is a continuum with thrush at one end and the APICH syndrome at the other - most severe - end. The primary mechanism may be the blocking of oestrogen receptors, although there will be others too. This hypothesis provides an explanation for the male-female imbalance. Blocked oestrogen receptors can lead to a relative dominance of progesterone, a hormone candida loves. Once candida has taken hold, it can further disrupt the endocrine system by inactivating circulating hormones. The immune system attacks the candida and the candida retaliates weakening it, but the disruption is primarily in the endocrine system.

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