An innovative cancer therapy that saves animals can it help humans as well? - Cortisol Imbalances

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2004 by Alfred J. Plechner

2. Toxicity. Household pets are intimately exposed to many toxic compounds, including lawn and garden compounds, rat poison, insect and snake bites, anti-flea chemicals and other pesticides, anesthetic agents, cleaning and disinfectant solutions, building and decorating materials, and a multitude of chemical additives in highly processed commercial diets. Sensitive animals may develop a variety of mild to severe symptoms immediately following exposure, but less appreciated is the potential to damage the adrenal glands, which I have seen occur in quite a few pets.

The adrenals are recognized as the most toxin-vulnerable organ in the endocrine system. The majority of toxic damage has been observed in the cortex, where steroidal hormones, including cortisol, are produced. Indeed, the entire process of adrenal steroidogenesis "poses multiple molecular targets" for disruption (13) and such disturbances can fundamentally affect the whole body physiology and biochemistry. (14)

3. Stress. Pets are subject to stress just as are humans. I have traced cases of endocrine-immune imbalances to household upheaval related to divorce, transfer of ownership, constant hassling by children, the addition of a new or incompatible animal in the house, boarding in kennels, and even to excess exercise.

It is interesting to note that mounting evidence in the field of stress research indicates that chronic stress can lead to a reduction of cortisol and not an increase as is widely believed. A persistent lack of cortisol may in fact be a frequent and widespread phenomenon, promoting a greater risk for immune-related disorders and other diseases. (15)

4. Poor nutrition. A poor quality diet fed over a long period of time contributes to systemic deficits, including lack of proper nutrition to endocrine organs producing hormones. Moreover, the complex nature of processed pet foods may not allow for the adequate absorption of essential nutrients. Digestive enzyme deficiencies are commonplace, particularly in aging animals.

Testing and treatment of imbalances

In 1972 I developed a blood test to identify specific imbalances in my patients: cortisol, total estrogen, T3/T4 levels, and IgA, IgG, and IgM. Table 1 shows my normal testing values.

The typical imbalances I find in sick animals, including those with cancer, involve low/bound/defective cortisol, elevated total estrogen, deficient or excessively bound thyroid hormones, and low IgA, IgG, and IgM levels. Years ago, I included a separate testing procedure to determine T cell function. Testing showed that T cells were similarly weakened by hormonal imbalances. However, due to the expense of T cell testing to clients, this additional diagnostic procedure was discontinued.

In my analysis of test results, I place no great emphasis on the serum cortisol value by itself because it does not clearly indicate how much of the circulating cortisol is active, bound, or somehow defective, and how much is actually working. I base my therapy decisions on assessing and comparing the other hormonal and antibody measurements in the test. Animals with a cortisol defect typically have elevated estrogen and low antibody results, even if their cortisol reading is normal.