Heavy Metals and Hormonal Problems

Heavy metals and Endocrine imbalances

Heavy Metals and Hormonal Problems

Heavy Metals and the Endocrine System

Both men and women have an endocrine system which produced hormones which are basically molecules of communication. Heavy Metals and Hormonal Problems will examine how toxic metals can cause a wide variety of hormonal problems in both sexes.

Hormones usually send signals to other endocrine glands to produce new hormones. They can also send signals to other target organs.

The endocrine system is a complex that affects a myriad of physiological activities such as growth, development, fertility, metabolism, weight gain and loss, sexual desire and more.

What Role Do Heavy Metals Have on Hormones?

The question is what is the relationship between heavy metals and hormones and how do they impact the endocrine system and cause hormonal imbalances with lots of symptoms and disease processes?

There are 3 basic mechanisms by that heavy metals can affect the endocrine system:

  1. Accumulation in the Organ Itself

Heavy metals can penetrate the cells of the thyroid, pancreas, adrenals, ovaries, testes and other endocrine organs, including the endocrine control organs in the brain such as the hypothalamus and pituitary.

Once heavy metals get into the cell they can cause damage to various organelles by free radicals, as well as attach to various proteins and disrupt the functioning of the cell.

The end results will be that the endocrine organ affected will begin either underproducing or overproducing hormones, or even stop producing them altogether.

They will also adversely affect the feedback loops that one endocrine organ has with another, therefore disrupting further this delicate communication system of the body.

  1. Hormone Mimicry

Several heavy metals can compete with hormone receptor sites such as oestrogen receptors and block them.

This can create oestrogen dominance in both males and females leading to problems with the reproductive system such as infertility, miscarriages, oligospermia and even reproductive cancers.

Given that hormones are antagonistic, the excess xenoestrogens in the body from exogenous sources will begin competing with other hormones. So as oestrogen increases, progesterone will begin to decrease. This will create more signs and symptoms that are often difficult to find in their aetiology.

  1. Blocking Key Enzyme Systems

Often some hormones will convert into other hormones and to do this they require various enzymes.

Heavy metals can prevent hormones from being converted correctly as they block enzyme systems.

An example would be the production of testosterone and oestrogen which requires DHEA and the enzyme hydroxylase to make this happen.

Heavy metals can target and block hydroxylase enzymes, therefore making the conversion of one hormone to the other impossible. This will therefore downregulate various hormones and cause imbalances and symptoms.

Heavy Metals and the Thyroid

Cadmium, mercury, and nickel are 3 heavy metals that have a tendency to attack the thyroid. Of these, mercury is the main culprit that can cause hypothyroidism and thyroid autoimmune conditions such as Hashimoto’s disease.

Mercury will displace iodine in the thyroid, which is the major molecule of thyroxine. Mercury can also interfere with the pituitary gland feedback loop that regulates TSH synthesis (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).

On a higher level, mercury in the hypothalamus will inhibit TSH manufacture, as well as interfere with the T4 to T3 conversion. Mercury inhibits the T4 to T3 conversion by inhibiting DI Autonaser enzymes.

Cadmium can create hormonal imbalances by affecting the production of T4 and T3 as it gets stored in the pituitary.

Nickel and mercury can cause Chronic Autoimmune Thyroiditis (CAT), also known as Hashimoto’s disease.

Hashimoto’s is an autoimmune disorder in which your immune system produces antibodies that attack your thyroid gland, damaging it and leading to hypothyroidism.

Heavy Metals and Sex Hormones

Cadmium, lead, mercury, and nickel can adversely affect oestrogen production.

These metals will decrease oestrogen production and can even mimic oestrogen and compete with receptor sites. This oestrogen dominance in the body can actually trigger the body to produce less natural oestrogen which will lead to other problems.

Mercury and lead can cause issues with fertility in both males and females, miscarriages, and irregular menstrual cycles, and may also lead to congenital defects in the embryo.

Metalo-oestrogens such as cadmium and nickel can mimic oestrogens, blocking oestrogen receptors and unbalancing oestrogen production.

Endometriosis which is related to high oestrogen levels can be caused by cadmium and nickel toxicity.

This is where tissue from the uterus migrates to the abdominal cavity and grows there causing severe pain, triggered by high levels of oestrogen.

If we now look at Testosterone, the primary male sex hormone, but also found in women in smaller amounts.

Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are the primary heavy metals affecting testosterone production.

Mercury can trigger Increased testosterone levels in women that can cause PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome.

On the other hand, it can also reduce testosterone levels leading to infertility. Cadmium can reduce testosterone levels, particularly in males.

Other heavy metals that can cause reproductive and fertility problems in men are arsenic and lead. Indeed, these metals can also be one of the underlying causes of erectile dysfunction in men.

Cadmium, copper and lead can affect Progesterone production.

It is interesting that women who have a copper IUD fitted will decrease the number of progesterone receptors.

Increases or decreases in progesterone production can also be affected by the toxic metal lead.

Cadmium can disrupt progesterone synthesis by interfering with pregnenolone activity. Pregnenolone is one of the precursors of progesterone production. It is also one of the main culprits behind miscarriages.

A reduction in prolactin levels in the blood can be caused by lead and cadmium, resulting in reduced breast milk production.

However, there are cases where these oestrogen-mimicking metals can also increase prolactin levels.

Heavy Metals and Stress Hormones

One of the primary stress hormones secreted by the adrenal glands is cortisol. Aluminium and nickel can adversely affect cortisol production.

As these metals increase in the body, the lower cortisol levels will drop.

Cadmium can increase cortisol production which will increase inflammation and lead to adrenal fatigue.

Cadmium can unbalance two other adrenal stress hormones, norepinephrine and adrenaline.

This can lead to anxiety, depression, panic attacks, ADHD, hyperactivity and lethargy.

Another adrenal hormone is aldosterone, which plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure by controlling the amount of sodium and potassium in the blood plasma.

Cadmium can increase aldosterone levels which will affect potassium and sodium levels that could lead to high blood pressure and heart problems.

Heavy Metals and Insulin

The B-cells of the pancreas produce the hormone insulin that controls blood sugar levels. Imbalances in insulin levels can lead to diabetes development.

The two heavy metals that can damage the B-cells of the pancreas and affect insulin production are arsenic and cadmium.

We have discussed how heavy metals can adversely affect the endocrine system causing a myriad of signs and symptoms.

Detoxing from Heavy Metals

The best way of reducing the load of your toxic metals is to use a natural and safe heavy metal chelator such as HMD.

The best protocol is Dr. Georgiou’s Heavy Metal Detox protocol which contains the 3 supplements that are known as the HMD ULTIMATE DETOX PACK. The ideal would be to take over a 3-month period for optimizing health and wellness.

*Disclaimer Notice: Our statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Prices are subject to change without notice.

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Dr George

Dr George

Dr. George J. Georgiou, Ph.D., N.D., D.Sc (AM), M.Sc., B.Sc, is a world-renowned expert in the field of holistic medicine and detoxification. As the inventor of the highly acclaimed Dr. Georgiou's Heavy Metal Detox Protocol, and the main product, HMD™ (Heavy Metal Detox), he has revolutionized the approach to natural heavy metal detoxification. With over 35 years of experience in natural medicine, he has authored 23 books, including the comprehensive guide 'Curing the Incurable with Holistic Medicine,' which offers invaluable insights and over 700 scientific references. Dr. Georgiou's groundbreaking work is sought after by individuals and practitioners worldwide through his Da Vinci Institute of Holistic Medicine and Da Vinci Holistic Health Center based in Larnaca, Cyprus.
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