HPA AXIS Dysregulation – related to…Hypothalamus and pituitary dysfunction (thyroid) as
- neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system
- then we have the detoxification or toxicity levels impacts as the HPA Axis will impact the enzymes and co-factors needed in phase 1 and 2 detoxification pathways (take note for next look at hormones).
- The immune system is primarily in the gut so we will collect more data to correlate with main health concern- DIGESTION.
- More motivation to continue our investigation into any and all contributors to METABOLIC CHAOS to seek more of your HIDDEN STRESSORS
- We want to support the HPA Axis – more into the DRESS protocols at the end of our call
Normal, Phases: Acute, Compensatory, Exhaustive
As a client continues to “live life as a result” and their chronic stress doesn’t stop, they progress from the “Acute Phase” of the HPA Axis dysfunction to the “Compensatory Phase”. Now their sum of the stress hormone cortisol goes from being elevated and now starts to decrease back to “normal”.
Even though their cortisol sum shows they are in the “optimal range” on the test results or in range, the client is symptomatic based on their health complaints and the history. Symptomatic signs that they are not “normal” but progression into the “Compensatory Phase” include:
- Steroid hormone imbalances
- HPA Axis dysfunction – cortisol dysregulation on
labs
- Cortisol elevate if adrenal cortex functional
- Cortisol low if adrenal hypertrophy present
- ACTH receptors block
- Immune system and neurotransmitter problems
- Hypothalamus not secreting CRH in adequate amounts
- Pituitary dysfunctional -ACTH output in adequate
- Irregular circadian-cortisol patterns as
- cortisol dominance
- progesterone to estrogen ratio
- estrogen to testosterone ratio
- low melatonin
We are able to see correlations and healing opportunities with the client’s complaints, symptoms and lab results. By looking at the “WHOLE” picture- we can see if a client is compensating, even though their test results for cortisol sum is in range, with their circadian rhythm patterns.
We don’t call it “adrenal fatigue” but looking at the entire system – Hypothalamus to the pituitary to the adrenal axis functions need to be firing. If we don’t help the client now, then they progress into “Exhaustive Phase” and test with low cortisol levels as their adaptive reserves have been depleted and they experience cortisol dys-regulation factors.
DHEA-S is a hormone: as cortisol, it is made in the adrenal glands
- In the normal stress response, we usually make more cortisol and less DHEA
- Cortisol is CATABOLIC – breaks the body down to make blood sugar
- DHEA is ANABOLIC – rebuild the body tissues and other elements
HPA AXIS Dysregulation – related to…Hypothalamus and pituitary dysfunction (thyroid) as
- neurotransmitters, hormones and immune system
- then we have the detoxification or toxicity levels impacts as the HPA Axis will impact the enzymes and co-factors needed in phase 1 and 2 detoxification pathways (take note for next look at hormones).
- The immune system is primarily in the gut so we will collect more data to correlate with main health concern- DIGESTION.
- More motivation to continue our investigation into any and all contributors to METABOLIC CHAOS to seek more of your HIDDEN STRESSORS
- We want to support the HPA Axis – more into the DRESS protocols at the end of our call
The chronic stress cascade and chronic stress related disorders…
“Distress of any kind contributes to the loss of homeostasis, dysfunction or rather “METABOLIC CHAOS”. This weakened state of health, if left unchecked, diminishes our vital reserve- leading to symptoms downstream.”
Our job as FDN Practitioners, is to look upstream using the functional labs available to identify healing opportunities to restore function and balance.
One of the first areas to head south or to become dysfunctional as a result of chronic stress are the hormones- cortisol, DHEA, estrogens, progesterone and testosterone.
Instead of treating the symptoms, we adapt behaviors and healing therapies that “coach up” the innate intelligence- vital reserve, strategic reserve or metabolic reserve.
Our job is to help “coach down” an individual’s contributors to METABOLIC CHAOS leading to a return of health and vitality as their symptoms gradually disappear!
HIDDEN Internal Stressors: tested which labs
- Hormone –HPA Axis stress profile plus 5 hormones
- Immune – HPA axis, Metabolic Assessment and Intestinal Barrier Function
- Digestion-metabolic assessment profile (urine), intestinal barrier function (IP urine)
- Detoxification- same as digestion
- Inflammation- heavy metals, pathogens, antigens: GI pathogen (stool) and Food Sensitivity Test (blood)
FDN is an individualized process:
- We don’t diagnose or treat disease
- We make observations, seek healing opportunities and educate clients how to heal and rebuild
- By removing as many external and internal stressors as possible, we may be able to “un-mask” the areas of malfunction or dysfunction that needs repair as well as reveal “vital voids” contributing to METABOLIC CHAOS.
- We use functional lab work to identify healing opportunities and to guide therapy
- Saliva, blood, urine and stool lab tests -provides clinical data about how the body is functioning, especially within the hidden internal stressors: hormone, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy production and nervous system.
- Test results are interpreted with respect to each client’s bio individuality, genetic potential, history, environment, lifestyle and their current health complaints.
- We seek clinical correlation with each individual client
- We repair and restore function while we support the acquired metabolic inefficiencies.
- Our goal is to remove as many stressors, interferences and contributors to METABOLIC CHAOS while we coach up function and support vital reserve.
- The lab tests provide objective criteria with which we engage clients in a process of education, self-care, commitment and responsibility.
- We don’t treat the lab results… we treat the WHOLE unique individual.
- Our goal is to improve the health of the clients and restore homeostasis
- General health building principles outperforms specific treatments – treating symptoms.
FDN goal- isn’t about just lab testing
-the body has its own innate intelligence
-cells shouldn’t need to be taught what to do and function normally- optimal levels
-we seek the underlying causes and hidden stressors that are contributing to METABOLIC CHAOS- imbalances, deficiencies and overburden on the body
-as we work at the deepest level possible – we are able to restore balance, healing and function the way the body is designed to do on its own if we coach up the “vital reserve”
