Hot flashes and night sweats are thyroid symptoms. The thyroid gland regulates body temperature. The adrenal glands use a hormone called aldosterone, a mineral corticoid, that regulates sodium and potassium levels in the bloodstream. Sodium and potassium are also very important in order to regulate blood pressure. The renin/aangiotensin system is dependent upon aldosterone. Angiotensin I is converted to angiotensin II with the substance called renin in the distal renal tubules of the kidneys. This process can only take place when aldosterone is present at the right levels in the bloodstream. This is the main system responsible for normal, healthy blood pressure. Hot flashes and night sweats are a result of both thyroid and adrenal dysfunction.
A pregnenolone steal happens when a person has been under chronic stress with high cortisol levels. These high cortisol levels have been so disruptive to the person’s body that the biochemical pathway needed to make cortisol is no longer working properly. It just so happens that the rate-limiting factor for the production of cortisol is vitamin B3. Vitamin B3 (Niacin or Niacinamide) is necessary to convert cholesterol to pregnenolone, and it is also needed to convert pregnenolone to progesterone. Progesterone may then be converted to cortisol with B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin C, and Folic Acid. This gives one a basic understanding of the biochemistry involved. During a pregnenolone steal, the affected person may have depleted the needed reserves of one of these nutrients or may be under excessive structural, chemical, emotional, geopathic, work, school, career, relationship, family, athletic, financial, mental, psychic, spiritual, or other stress. Research has shown that the reticular formation in the brainstem is often affected, as is the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis. Lots of glands and organs are involved. The entire endocrine system (hormonal system) is involved.
Cold hands and feet are due to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. Lots of callouses on the hands are due to a dysfunctional thyroid. Depression is due to a dysfunctional thyroid. The thyroid is the backup generator for the heart, so heart palpitations are a thyroid symptom. Being paranoid and suspicious are also thyroid symptoms. Below are a variety of thyroid symptoms that you might find interesting. Abdominal bloating, diarrhea, and constipation are also thyroid symptoms because about 20 to 30% of thyroid hormone is converted from inactive thyroid hormone T4 to active thyroid hormone T3 in the digestive tract.
This chart should give you a better idea of some common thyroid symptoms. There are a lot of them, as you can see. Most people experience some of these thyroid symptoms at one time or another.
This is a great video that discusses a variety of these thyroid symptoms, how they work, and why they are so important.
