Heal your pituitary

I have had test results positive for AF (ASI test), borderline secondary adrenal insufficiency (ACTH test) and now with the ITT I have learned I have reduced growth hormone production due to the pituitary gland.

There is little I could find CZ about healing the pituitary and symptoms and I found a good site:
http://www.myvits.com/pituitary/vitamins.aspx

Pituitary Gland

Anatomy & Physiology

The pituitary gland is located at the base of the brain in a pocket inside the sphenoid bone known as the sella tursica. It weighs only 1/2 gram (.018 ounces) of which 85% is water and it produces 1/100,000th of a gram of hormones daily.

The pituitary gland via hormone secretion directly affects the thyroid, adrenals, ovaries, testes, kidneys, and breasts. According to An Endocrine Interpretation of Chapman’s Reflexes: the pituitary "also exerts a definite influence on the intestines, bladder, uterus, stomach, and spleen, its actions causing contraction of the plain, unstrained muscles of the entire body" (page 13).

Pituitary secretions are in most part in response to signals from the hypothalamus. It communicates with the posterior pituitary via nerve fibers and the anterior pituitary via minute capillaries. The hypothalamus collects information from the body concerning hormone and electrolyte levels, pain, emotions, etc., and signals the pituitary accordingly with the optimum health of the body in mind.

There are seven major hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary: adrenal corticotrophic hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH), melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), and prolactin.

ACTH stimulates cortisol secretion by the adrenal glands and can increase its secretion up to 2000%. It also has a small effect on aldosterone and perhaps estrogen secretion. ACTH can be stimulated by low blood sugar, infection, surgery, chronic disease, nor epinephrine and similar medications, intense heat or cold.

TSH signals the thyroid to secrete thyroxin and triiodothyronine. It also increases the production of these hormones and increases the size and number of thyroid cells. Two factors that cause abnormally high TSH secretion are intense cold and emotional trauma.

FSH in males aids in formation of sperm and in females aids in the development of the egg and production of estrogen (see chapter on ovaries for more information).

LH in males stimulates the formation of testosterone and in females it is necessary for follicular growth, ovulation and progesterone and estrogen production (see ovary chapter for more details).

GH promotes an increase in the size and number of all cells in the body capable of growth and reproduction. It stimulates protein synthesis and muscle growth while stimulating the body to use up fat stores. It increases blood Sugar levels (thus stimulating insulin production) by decreasing carbohydrate utilization. It also stimulates the production of a substance that promotes proper bone and cartilage growth, development, and repair.

Growth hormone is also necessary for tissue repair, and plays a role in increasing our resistance to disease by stimulating the immune system. It can speed wound healing, decrease blood urea levels, and prevent or reverse osteoporosis. It is released in response to sleep, fasting, and exercise. Many people over 50 no longer produce any GH.

MSH controls darkening of the skin and possibly plays a role in retention of visual stimulation and memory.

Prolactin aids in breast development during pregnancy, stimulates the mammary gland cells to synthesize fat, lactose, and casein, thus producing milk. Prolactin formation is normally inhibited until pregnancy and it reaches a maximum after giving birth.

The posterior pituitary secretes oxytocin and antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Oxytocin is actually produced by the hypothalamus but stored in the posterior pituitary. It stimulates the pregnant uterus to begin the onset of labor, and also causes milk to travel from the alveoli to the ducts making it available for the nursing child.

ADH is also produced in the hypothalamus and stored in the posterior pituitary. It controls the permeability of the renal tubules. Secretion of ADH causes the kidneys to conserve water and electrolytes. ADH is usually excreted in high volumes during periods of blood loss.

Symptoms of Pituitary Malfunction

1) Any symptoms listed in the chapters for the adrenals, thyroid, testes, and ovaries, can be from pituitary malfunction causing hormonal disturbances involving those organs.

2) General symptoms of anterior pituitary imbalance can include neck and head pain on the left side, chronic headaches at the level of the eyes, and seizures especially at night.

3) Over production of ACTH (possibly due to low blood sugar) can indirectly cause increased levels of aldosterone and estrogen causing water retention, dysmenorrhea, edema, weakness, and hypertension. It can also lead to hyperglycemia and possibly non-insulin dependant diabetes. Other symptoms include glucose intolerance and personality changes. Chronic over production and resultant over production of cortisol will shrink thymus and lymphatic tissue, and decrease formation of antibodies and sensitized lymphocytes, thus greatly decreasing our immunity.

4) Under production of ACTH can cause adrenal cortex atrophy, hypoglycemia,and generalized weakness, low blood pressure, salt loss, and increased skin pigmentation. An intolerance to stress and infection will also result.

5) Over production of TSH can lead to personality disorders, irritability, increased sweating. Under production will cause hypothyroidism.

6) Over production of FSH and LH will cause early sexual maturation and acne. Under production can cause gonadal atrophy, infertility, amenorrhea, and decreased sperm production, impotence.

7) Over production of GH (GH can increase 10 fold from hypoglycemia or prolonged fasting) can cause diabetes by stimulating insulin production till the beta cells "burn out". It can also produce gigantism, acromegaly.

8) Under production of GH can lead to weak ligaments and tendons, decreased rate of wound healing, hypoglycemia, dwarfism, and poor bone development.

9) Under production of ADH can cause diabetes insipid us and excessive urination, dehydration.

10) Over production of ADH can lead to edema and hypertension.

11) In endocrine disorders new symptoms can crop up as the body tries to correct itself. To give a fictitious example - a woman is suffering from hypoadrenia due to bad diet and stress in her home life. Her pituitary will step up ACTH production to try to increase cortisol production. Since the adrenals are depleted, the ovaries instead will somewhat increase production of estrogen since it too is a steroid and they have a few functions in common. The increased estrogen production causes the thyroid to slow down. The woman develops menstrual cramping and starts putting on weight. The point of the scenario is to show the interrelations of the endocrine system and how in most cases three or four glands will require treatment before normal function is restored.

Causes of Pituitary Malfunction

1) It has been shown that our cranial bones as well as sacrum and coccyx move very slightly in response to breathing. It is theorized that this movement helps to "pump" the pituitary and pineal glands and that if these movements are abnormally altered one result can be pituitary malfunction. The author has clinically confirmed this many times as have other chiropractors and osteopaths. Restoring biomechanical equilibrium to these structures can bring dramatic clinical results if it is the cause of the problem. The following can cause a dysfunction in the normal biomechanics: being delivered by forceps or other birth trauma, whiplash (due to attachments of sternocleidomastoid and trapezius to the cranium), improper breathing, injury or trauma to the head, long dental procedures (due to drilling, mouth props etc. this is very common). Wearing tight helmets, carrying weight on your head, and dental occlusion causing an imbalance of forces to be transmitted through the mandible to the temporal bone and the rest of the cranium can also cause cranial malfunction and pituitary disturbance.

2) Other malfunctioning endocrine glands can alter pituitary outflow and lead to malfunction (make sure ovaries, testes, adrenals, thyroid, are working properly).

3) Dr. Pavlo Airola feels that mental and physical sexual stimulation too early in life, as well as a high consumption of meat, dairy, sugar, salt, alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine can over stimulate the pituitary.

4) Severe emotional trauma can alter pituitary function.

5) Concentrated sweets will cause abnormal blood Sugar disturbances and thus altered ACTH and TSH output.

6) Julian De Vries in "Contraceptive Pill Criticized" feels that birth control pills will increase your risk of pituitary cancer.

7) Cortisone medication can cause decreased ACTH production.

8) Hypoglycemia and prolonged fasting can lead to over production of growth hormone and eventual exhaustion of production.

9) Rich fatty meals suppress GH production as does cortisone and epinephrine medications.

10) Nicotine causes over production of ADH while alcohol and caffeine suppress ADH production (that is why beer makes you urinate so much).

11) Exposure to extreme cold without proper clothing can decrease the size of the pituitary. It will also lead to an increase in TSH and ACTH production, which could eventually exhaust it.

Other Indications of Pituitary Malfunction

pg39.jpg (103624 bytes)1) If the anterior pituitary is malfunctioning one of the following muscles may test weak on manual muscle testing: supraspinatus, pectoralis major (inferior portion) (see Appendix C and figures 4.1, 4.2).

2) If the posterior pituitary is malfunctioning the middle trapezius or subclavius may exhibit weakness on manual muscle testing (see figures 4.3, 4.4).

3) A subnormal auxiliary temperature (described in thyroid chapter) may also indicate pituitary malfunction.



Prevention and Treatment of Pituitary Malfunction

pg40.jpg (94856 bytes)1) Occasionally nerve pressure in the cervical spine needs to be corrected in pituitary cases.

2) Rubbing a reflex point right between the eyebrows (the glabella) is often helpful. Try twice a week, one minute each time (see Appendix B).

3) Stay away from rich fatty foods, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, concentrated sweets, medications containing epinephrine and cortisol.

4) Foods high in lecithin such as soybeans may be helpful. The pituitary is composed partially of lecithin.

5) Avoid excessive sexual stimulation especially from TV, novels, etc.

6) Dressing warmly, going to bed early, exercising, positive thoughts all help balance GH and ACTH production.

pg41.jpg (100149 bytes)7) If any of the above mentioned muscles test weak see if either taking a deep breath and holding it makes it stronger, or if letting all your breath out and holding it makes it stronger. If holding your breath in strengthens the muscle, place your hand on the posterior part of the mastoid process and during inspiration push anterior with 2-3 pounds pressure. Keep repeating for 2-3 minutes (see figure 4.5). If the muscle strengthens while holding your breath out, place your fingers on the anterior part of the mastoid process and push posterior during expiration for 2-3 minutes (see figure 4.6). If you don’t understand these instructions or if this technique doesn’t bring strength back to the weak muscle (retest it after correction during normal respiration) see an osteopath or chiropractor that is trained in cranial dysfunction.

8) It is accepted by many that being out of doors (especially on a sunny day) without glasses or contacts will stimulate and aid pituitary function.

9) The taking of ACTH or gonadotrophin as a medication should be looked at and studied particularly with a holistically oriented physician before it is undertaken. It should be avoided if possible.

ACTH is used to treat thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis , asthma, rhinitis, colitis, etc. The 1982 edition of the Physicians’ Desk Reference states, "chronic administration of corticotrophin may lead to adverse side effects which are not reversible. Corticotrophin may only suppress symptoms and signs of chronic disease without altering the course of the disease."

Possible side effects include hypertension, optic nerve damage, cataracts, muscle atrophy, fetal abnormalities, osteoporosis, peptic ulcer, convulsions, and headaches.

Gonadotrophin is a drug obtained from the urine of pregnant females and is used to induce pregnancy in infertile women. Side effects can include ovarian enlargements, multiple births, blood clots, and depression.

10) Oxytocin injections or taken intravenously is used to induce early delivery, in second trimester abortions, and to control postpartum bleeding. Side effects have included uterine rupture, fetal and maternal death, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmia, and neonatal jaundice.

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