perceived physical discomfort log Syndication Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:11:39 -0400 support@imminst.org (ImmInst Forums) IP.Blog 60 Dopamine Antagonist Alters Serum Cortisol and Prolactin Secretion in Lactating Holstein Cows
A. Ahmadzadeh^{1,<a href="http://jds.fass.org/cgi/content/full/89/6/2051#FN1">2}, M. A. Barnes, F. C. Gwazdauskas and R. M. Akers Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061

The role of dopamine in regulating glucocorticoid and prolactin secretion was investigated in lactating Holstein cows by characterizing serum cortisol and prolactin responses to fluphenazine, a dopamine receptor antagonist. Twelve anovulatory cows received an intravenous bolus injection of either saline (n = 6) or 0.3 mg of fluphenazine/kg of body weight (n = 6) in wk 2 postpartum. Blood samples were collected every 30 min for 4 h before and 4 h after saline or fluphenazine injection. Serum progesterone concentration was 0.13 ± 0.1 ng/mL and did not differ between groups. No difference in serum cortisol concentrations was detected between groups before treatments. Fluphenazine increased serum cortisol concentrations within 30 min after fluphenazine administration (>30 ng/mL) and concentrations remained elevated throughout the sampling period. Cortisol remained unchanged in saline-treated cows (<10 ng/mL). Prolactin concentrations also increased after fluphenazine administration (103.1 ± 3.1 ng/mL), but were unaffected by saline (18 ± 3.1 ng/mL). Prolactin concentrations remained elevated throughout the sampling period in fluphenazine-treated cows. Our results indicated that a dopamine antagonist increased cortisol, suggesting that endogenous dopamine, at least in part, regulates cortisol and prolactin secretion. These effects are regulated through dopamine receptors in anovulatory lactating dairy cows during the early postpartum period.]]> Sat, 30 May 2009 16:37:06 -0400
Asperger syndrome information

Upon awakening, there is normally a surge in cortisol, a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland and released in response to stress. This response is absent in adolescent boys with Asperger syndrome, which may explain some of the symptoms of the condition, such as the need for routine and resistance to change. Among other functions, the ability to adapt to change is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which controls the dramatic increase in cortisol upon awakening, referred to as "the cortisol awakening response." The cortisol awakening response is a robust and reproducible neuroendocrine phenomenon which has been positively correlated with psychological and physical well-being. Dr. Mark Brosnan from University of Bath and colleagues say their research points to a lack of response in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in individuals with Asperger syndrome, which may help explain why these individuals have difficulties if there are minor changes in their routine or environment. In the study, the investigators measured the cortisol in saliva of 20 adolescent males with Asperger syndrome and 18 age-matched controls at the time of awakening and 30 minutes later. While a significant cortisol awakening response was clearly evident in the control group, this was not the case in the Asperger group. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2009.

Cortisol and DHEA
Effects of DHEA administration on episodic memory, cortisol and mood in healthy young men: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2005 Oct 18;:1-11 Psychobiology Research Group, School of Neurology, Neurobiology and Psychiatry, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to enhance cognition in rodents, although there are inconsistent findings in humans. Twenty-four healthy young men were treated with a 7-day course of oral DHEA (150 mg b.d.) or placebo in a double blind, random, crossover and balanced order design. Subjective mood and memory were measured using visual analogue scales (VASs). Cortisol concentrations were measured in saliva samples. ERPs were recorded during retrieval in an episodic memory test. Low-resolution brain electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was used to identify brain regions involved in the cognitive task. DHEA administration led to a reduction in evening cortisol concentrations and improved VAS mood and memory. DHEA treatment improved memory recollection and mood and decreased trough cortisol levels. The effect of DHEA appears to be via neuronal recruitment of the steroid sensitive ACC that may be involved in pre-hippocampal memory processing. These findings are distinctive, being the first to show such beneficial effects of DHEA on memory in healthy young men.

Cortisol and 5-HTP

L-5-hydroxytryptophan induced increase in salivary cortisol in panic disorder patients and healthy volunteers.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 Jun;161(4):365-9.
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Brain and Behaviour, Maastricht University, AB Maastricht The Netherlands
Hypersensitivity of brain serotonin receptors has been proposed as a causal mechanism in the pathophysiology of panic disorder. This theory can be tested, using serotonergic stimulation of the HPA axis. Up to now, plasma cortisol has generally been used as the outcome measure in such studies. Assessment of salivary cortisol is a non-invasive alternative to measure HPA axis activity. Salivary cortisol levels were measured in 24 panic disorder patients and 24 healthy volunteers, following ingestion of 200 mg L-5-hydroxytryptophan or placebo. A significant rise in cortisol was observed in both patients and controls following ingestion of L-5-hydroxytryptophan. No such effects were seen in the placebo condition. The results show that L-5-hydroxytryptophan stimulated salivary cortisol is a useful probe of serotonin function in healthy volunteers as well as panic disorder patients, and provide some evidence against a serotonin receptor hypersensitivity in panic disorder.

Vitamin C and cortisol
A randomized controlled trial of high dose ascorbic acid for reduction of blood pressure, cortisol, and subjective responses to psychological stress.
Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 January. Brody S, Preut R, Schommer K, Sch�rmeyer TH. Center for psychomatic and Psychobiological Research, University of Trier, Trier, Germany.
Physiological responses to stress are considered disruptive to health. High-dose ascorbic acid has reduced indices of stress in laboratory animals. We conducted a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled 14-day trial of sustained-release ascorbic acid (60 healthy young adults; 3 x1000 mg/day Cetebe) and placebo (60 healthy young adults) for reduction of blood pressure, cortisol, and subjective response to acute psychological stress (Trier Social Stress Test, TSST, consisting of public speaking and mental arithmetic). Six subjects from each group were excluded. Compared to the placebo group, the ascorbic acid group had less systolic blood pressure (an increase of 23 versus 31 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure, and subjective stress responses to the TSST; and also had faster salivary cortisol recovery (but not smaller overall cortisol response). Cortisol response to 1 microg ACTH, and reported side-effects during the trial did not differ between groups. Plasma ascorbic acid level at the end of the trial but not pre-trial was associated with reduced stress reactivity of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and subjective stress, and with greater salivary cortisol recovery. Treatment with high-dose sustained-release ascorbic acid palliates blood pressure, cortisol, and subjective response to acute psychological stress. These effects are not attributable to modification of adrenal responsiveness.]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 17:15:42 -0400 Tue, 26 May 2009 18:07:41 -0400 Daily, 25mg

8AM 10mg
12PM 7.5mg
4PM 5mg
Bedtime 2.5mg

1tsp = 46.64mg

10mg = 0.2144tsp
7.5mg = 0.1608tsp
5mg = 0.1072tsp
2.5mg = 0.0536tsp

1/8tsp = 5.83mg

10mg = 1.7153
7.5mg = 1.2864
5mg = 0.8576
2.5mg = 0.4288

Shopping list: Measuring Spoons, HC Cream]]> Mon, 25 May 2009 16:25:19 -0400 Cortisol Morning 5.8 [5.1-40.2] - Within range
Cortisol Noon 2.6 [2.1-15.7] - Within range
Cortisol Evening 1.4 [1.8-12.1] - Low
Cortisol Night 0.3 [0.9-9.2] - Low

Interpretations: Diurnal cortisol patter is consistent with evolving adrenal
gland fatigue (hypoadrenia).
"

Shows low-normal range for the first part of the day, low and lower into late afternoon and evening.

I need cortisol, that's clear. Now, I'm trying to figure out which OTC source to use and in what doses.

Addition:


[b]The following list is a compilation of symptoms experienced by patients while raising Armour, and which revealed low cortisol. These symptoms occurred at low doses of Armour, or waited until the patient got as high as 3 grains and more:[/b]


(Strikethrough non-experienced symptoms)


*continuing hypo symptoms with a high free T3, or high amount of Armour
*shaky hands; shakiness
*diarrhea
*bad palps
*feeling of panic
*weakness
*inability to handle stress
*inability to handle interactions with others
*inability to focus
*rage or sudden angry outbursts
*emotionally hyper sensitive
*overreacting
*highly defensive
*feeling paranoid
*exacerbated reactions to daily stress
*no patience
*easily irritated
*mild to severe hypoglycemic episodes
*taking days to recover from even minor stress
*taking days to recover from a dental visit
*flu-like symptoms
*headache
*all over body ache
*super-sensitive skin
*extreme fatigue
*scalp ache
*hyper feeling
*jittery
*clumsy (drop things, bump into things)
*confusion
*suddenly feel extremely hungry
*low back pain
*dull
*cloud-filled head (happens when this patient is due for a next cortisol dose)
*jumpiness
*muscle weakness
*”air hunger”
*dizziness
*light headedness
*motion sickness
*coffee putting patient to sleep
*vomiting even running up the slightest incline
*almost passing out every time patient gets up
*dark circles under my eyes
*waking up in the middle of the night for several hours
*difficulty falling asleep
*frequent urination
*IBS symptoms
*worsening allergies

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adren...o/how-to-treat/]]> Mon, 25 May 2009 13:41:31 -0400 - me, a door, a desk char, a bag of water and a harness

Image 1: Image 2:

5 minutes facing the door, 5 minutes opposing. Felt more tension opposing. Stopped when it hurt.
Only news to report is that I'm now looking a few degrees upward.

Thank you to GERZON for the neck traction device ("neck stretcher"). GERZON is a member of my parents' retirement community, an ex L.A. personal trainer and resident aerobics instructor and masseur. He will be 80 years old on January 13, 2011.
]]> Wed, 06 May 2009 00:41:30 -0400

60min yoga class thu night. no discomfort during.

awoke with lumbar spine stiffness. stretched and rolled on my spine. minimal relief: still very stiff. unusual.

7 hrs of sleep. needed more. slept past alarm, twice. could have been that it was under my pillow. because of late waking, skipped half my supplements.

experienced flushing during morning and early afternoon a few times, foggy thinking and blurred vision

haven't taken any thyroid supps

sit in office chair during workday. very tight right side. i'm pulling toward the right. also, knots in neck nape - not unusual. uncomfortable to the point i'm googling painkillers.

acetominophen, my least favorite - took 1 - all twas on hand.

]]> Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:31:09 -0400 I am writing my supplement routine from memory. I don't remember most dosages. I typically do enough research to determine an optimal (trial) dose, then supplement with that exact dose, forgetting the number and, sometimes, why I'm taking it (!).

Supplements

Upon waking

• 1/3 scoop LE multivitamin mix
• Cat's Claw 500mg
  
• 2 Hyaluronic Acid (HLA)
• 1 Alpha-Linoleic Acic (ALA)
• 1g Acetyl-l Carnitine (LC)
• Resveratrol 40mg
• Quercetin 240mg
  
• 1 LE Rhodiola
• 1 LE Immune Support
• 1 LE Natural Pain Relief
• 1 scoop Collagen
• 1 scoop Psyllium Husks
• 10mg DHEA
• 1 Progressive Labs Thyro Support (raw thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, and spleen)
• Melting Point
• Fucoxanthin
• Chewable Vitamin C
  

Mid-day

• Ca Mg Zn
• Vit D
• Thyro Complex

Evening

• Melting Point
• Fucoxanthin
• Resveratrol
• LC
• Psyllium
• Chewable Vitamin C
  
• ALA (EOD)
• Rhodiola (EOD)
• Ca Mg Zn (taken later in evening)

On Evening Vegetable Meals

• Mixed greens/superfoods, including pre-/probiotics
• Turmeric
• Ginger
• Chili
• 6g Fish Oil
• Tbs Flax seeds (sometimes)
• Testing different kinds of vinegars
• Kelp
• Brewer's Yeast (I've run out, quite to my dismay)
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
  

Occasional

• Caffeine
• Pseudoephedrine
• Aspirin
• Naproxen

Various Notes

Do I want to take pregnenelone instead of DHEA?
Testing diurnal cortisol in one week.
I'm borderline hypothyroid.
Low neutrophil count.
High WBC count.
Low Vitamin D.

Workout

Generally diminished activity level due to increasing fatigue and musculoskeletal pain. High intensity cardio activity is much less. Weightlifting - no problems with most exercises within a given range of motion, is not affected my moderate fatigue. I walk long distances when I have the energy.

Weightlifting M/W/F
Yoga Tu/Th (not with regularity)

Weightlifting Routine (will usually include)

Back
Warmup: Seated Rows 60lbs x 10reps; Lat Pulldowns 70lbs x 10 reps
(Day 1) Wide-Grip Assisted Pullups: 4 sets x Lbs of assistance: 62, 54, 46, 54
(Day 2) Narrow-Grip "..." [I am stronger on these, though lbage similar]

Legs
Warmup: Front squats with olympic bar, 15 slow
Leg Extensions 10 reps @ 60, 75, 90, 95lbs
Lying Leg Curl 10 reps @ 40, 50, 60 lbs
Leg Press 10-15 reps @ 180, 230, 270, 180lbs

Mixed bag (I add on at least a few of these, always, but usually not the same ones in a row)
Various ab machines
Hanging bent-leg raises
Triceps pressdowns
Incline bench press
Bench press
DB Pullovers
Military press
Bentover rows
Delt pulls (name of exercise escapes me)
DB flyes
....and endlessly more. Finding new exercises and trying them is a great pleasure.

Notes: I do not perform all sets for one exercise in a row; I cycle between exercises, or "superset." My patience is less tested this way. On Pullups, I do as many as I can with good form, usually 6 or less; after that point, I cheat by swinging my legs upward quickly for momentum, and pump out 2-3 more. I cycle between wide and narrow grips.

I have mild scoliosis in more ways(places) than one. I try to be very careful about posture/form. I never don't have pain in the days following a workout; however, if I don't lift weights, I become weak very quickly, which is far worse.

I would like to do sled pulling and pushing. Need a place to do this, a sled, and rope.
]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:31:01 -0400