Page 41 - The Autoimmune Protocol

The Autoimmune Protocol

Hormonal contraception has already been mentioned as a possible trigger for other
autoimmune diseases due to estrogen being a major culprit in inflammatory bowel
disease. Women are far more likely to be diagnosed with an inflammatory bowel disease
as well. Estrogen has been linked with T cell immune response in autoimmune-induced
inflammation. Because women secrete more of the hormone, it is thought that hormonal
contraception messes with this balance in some way, triggering an autoimmune reaction.

As with other autoimmune diseases, when the body comes into contact with bacteria or a
virus that makes it past the protective barriers, this may also trigger an autoimmune
disease like UC. When someone has a bacterial infection and must take antibiotics, this
could put them at an even greater chance of experiencing a flare up.

Addison’s Disease

Unlike other autoimmune diseases that target the bowels, thyroid, or joints, Addison’s
disease targets the adrenal glands, making them unable to produce sufficient steroid
hormones for the body. The steroid hormone called cortisol is one hormone affected by
the disease. This hormone is sometimes referred to as the “stress hormone” and is vital
for our body’s fight or flight response, as well as keeping inflammation down, regulating
blood pressure, increasing blood sugar, boosting energy when we need it, helping with
sleep and waking up, and managing how the body uses fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

Needless to say, when the adrenal glands of someone with Addison’s disease produces too
little of this hormone, the side effects can range from distressing to deadly. A normal body
produces just the right amount of cortisol. Just like in cases where the body produces too
little cortisol, too much cortisol can have negative effects as well.

There are two types of Addison’s disease. One type is referred to as Primary Adrenal
Insufficiency. This is characterized by such severe damage to the adrenal glands that they
can no longer function properly. This specific type is usually (around 70-90 percent of the
time) caused by an autoimmune reaction that targets the glands and destroys them.
Primary Adrenal Insufficiency may also be caused by other factors, such as certain
cancers, overuse of prednisone, specific blood thinning medications, and bodily
infections.

Another type of Addison’s disease is called Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. In this type
of disease, the pituitary gland is mostly responsible for the issues. The pituitary gland is
another part of the endocrine system, and is responsible for a wide variety of bodily
functions, including growth, prolactin production, and the production of a hormone
called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone tells the adrenal glands when
to produce the necessary hormones. When it fails to tell the adrenal glands to produce
hormones, adrenal insufficiency can develop.

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