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Adrenal Dysfunction/Thyroid Imbalance

At PenCol Specialty Pharmacy, we understand what it’s like for our patients to deal with the effects of adrenal dysfunction or thyroid imbalance. For some patients, synthetic thyroid hormones do not have the adequate effect on their thyroid gland as natural thyroid hormones do. These patients may have tried and failed to achieve the desired results with manufactured products such as levothyroxine or liothyronine; many stating that they physically do not feel as they should, regardless of their lab results.

At PenCol Specialty Pharmacy, we are able to compound natural forms of T3  and T4 in ratios otherwise unavailable based on a patient’s needs. In addition to using naturally-derived thyroid hormones, we are able to eliminate many of the inactive ingredients found in commercially available medications that may be problem-causing for an individual.

Additionally, PenCol Specialty Pharmacy uses naturally-derived cortisol, testosterone, and estrogen to make preparations for those patients with underlying adrenal conditions. More information regarding hormone replacement for men and women can be found under the Hormone Therapy for Women and Hormone Therapy for Men links in the pulldown menu above.

Adrenal Fatigue

According to Dr. James Wilson, who coined the term “adrenal fatigue” in 1998, you may be experiencing adrenal fatigue if you regularly notice one or more of the following:

• You feel tired for no reason.

• You have trouble getting up in the morning, even when you go to bed at a reasonable hour.

• You are feeling rundown or overwhelmed.

• You have difficulty bouncing back from stress or illness.

• You crave salty and sweet snacks.

• You feel more awake, alert, and energetic after 6PM than you do all day.

In short, adrenal fatigue refers to the below optimal function of the adrenal glands due to stress or chronic illness.

The adrenal glands secrete hormones essential to health and vitality and significantly affect total body function, such as cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. Intense or prolonged physical or emotional stress commonly associated with modern lifestyles or chronic illness can lead to adrenal fatigue, which is an important contributing factor in health conditions ranging from allergies to obesity.

Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant adrenal hormones, like cortisol, help to minimize negative health reactions, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders. These hormones closely affect the utilization of carbohydrates and fats, the conversion of fats and proteins into energy, and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function. Proper adrenal support is essential to complete the hormonal pathway to optimal health, which includes proper nutrition, getting plenty of sleep, regular moderate exercise, stress management, slowing down to regain a proper perspective on life, and replacement of deficient hormones.

Adrenal glands are known as “the glands of stress”.   Their purpose is to help your body cope with stresses from injuries and disease to work and relationships.  Your resiliency, energy, and endurance depend on your adrenal glands properly functioning.  The hormones that are secreted by your adrenal glands affect all major physiological processes such as:

• Your body’s utilization of carbohydrates and fats

• The conversion of fats and proteins into energy

• The distribution of stored fat

• Normal blood sugar regulation

• Proper cardiovascular and gastrointestinal function

The adrenals secrete anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant hormones that help minimize negative and allergic reactions to:

• Alcohol

• Drugs

• Foods

•Environmental allergens

For women and men, the adrenal glands gradually become the major source of sex hormones after mid-life.  Even the development of certain kinds of diseases, and your ability to respond to chronic illness, is influenced by the adrenal glands.

What is adrenal fatigue?

Adrenal fatigue is known as a “syndrome” – a collection of symptoms that leave a person with a general sense of un-wellness, fatigue, erratic or abnormal blood sugar levels in the form of sugar levels, hypoglycemia, changes in carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism, fluid and electrolyte balance, heart and cardiovascular system, sex drive, and even your body shape can transform.  There is more of a tendency to experience allergies, arthritic pain, and decreased immune response. Most women with low adrenal function have more premenstrual tension and increased difficulty during menopause.

At PenCol Specialty Pharmacy we have spent a good deal of time on the study and practice of helping our patients and their doctors deal with the effects of adrenal fatigue in their healing plan.

Along with individualized care, we carry Dr. James L. Wilson’s book; Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome , which details what Dr. Wilson deems the causes and cures for adrenal fatigue, along with many of the supplements for his adrenal fatigue and stress program.

Thyroid Imbalance

For women, it is common for thyroid problems to appear at menopause. A woman’s ovaries have thyroid receptors, and her thyroid gland has ovarian receptors. The loss of Estradiol (E2) and Testosterone from the ovaries, which occurs with menopause, can affect the thyroid. A patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism may need to have both T3 and T4 replaced. One possibility for this is Armour thyroid, or compounded porcine thyroid.

For women who need only T3, a compound of just T3 can be added to an existing regiment of Levothyroxine that may already be in use.

At PenCol Specialty Pharmacy, we use USP-approved ingredients to prepare our unique formulations.

Adrenal fatigue and thyroid imbalance can have uncomfortable effects that are wide-ranging. Contact us to speak with one of our compounding pharmacists – we welcome your call. What can we do to help patients get back to feeling good again.