Mercury Endochrinology

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Contents[hide]

1 Effects of Mercury Toxicity on the Endocrine System

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Transplacental Transfer of Toxic Load

1.3 Endocrine Systems Impacts

1.3.1 Immune Activation

1.3.2 Enzymamatic Effects

1.3.3 Thyroid

1.3.3.1 Thyroid Regulation

1.3.3.2 Blood Brain Barrier

1.3.3.3 Cardiovascular Disease

1.3.3.4 Nutritional Status and Methly-B12

1.3.3.5 Degenerative Disease

1.3.3.6 Body Temperature Regulation

1.3.3.7 Psychological Effects

1.3.3.8 Heart Failure

1.3.3.9 High Homocysteine

1.3.4 Posterior Pituitary Gland

1.3.4.1 High Blood Pressure

1.3.5 Adrenal Glands

1.3.5.1 Adrenal Cortex

1.3.5.2 Nutrients

1.3.5.3 Cholesterol

1.3.5.4 Steroid Biosynthesis Blocked by Mercury

1.3.5.5 Adrenal Mercury Toxicity

1.4 Other Effects

1.4.1 Suicide

1.4.1.1 Braces

1.4.2 Frequent Urination

1.5 Mercury Detox

1.6 References

//

Effects of Mercury Toxicity on the Endocrine System

Introduction

It has been well documented that mercury is an endocrine system disrupting

chemical in animals and people. Low levels of exposure disrupt many hormonal

functions and function of the:

pituitary gland,

thyroid gland,

enzyme production processes.

People with high mercury levels in their bodies have more:

hormonal disturbances,

immune disturbances,

recurring fungal infections,

chronic bacterial infections, [1]

hair loss and allergies.

Endocrine Mercury Accumulation

Autopsy studies in 1975 revealed that, contrary to accepted belief that the

kidney was the prime accumulator of inorganic mercury, the thyroid and pituitary

retain and accumulate more inorganic mercury than the kidneys.

Endocrine glands secrete their products, hormones, directly into the blood

stream. [2] Most hormones are steroid or amino acid based.[2] Hormones that are

most often affected by mercury are:

insulin,

estrogen,

testosterone,

and adrenaline.

Almost all hormones have binding sights capable of connecting to metabolic

cofactors, but mercury can bind here, too. Mercury frequently has a stronger

affinity for these binding sites than the normal activators; even though the

hormone is present in the bloodstream, it may not be able to act as it is

supposed to act.

Transplacental Transfer of Toxic Load

You can see with your own eyes mercury vapor come off a 25-yo filling. (See

reference section for link to this International Academy of Oral Medicine and

Toxicology video)[3]

Mercury has the ability to reduce cerebellar brain weight through significant

reductions in total cell population of the cerebellum.

Reductions of total body weight at birth are related to maternal exposure to

mercury.

Lead and mercury also have a direct effect on neuronal development leading to

learning deficits. These are the same type of birth defects produced by maternal

iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism.

There are several aspects of iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism-related

effects on fetal and perinatal brain development that can be aggravated or

otherwise affected by the presence of mercury.

A peer-reviewed animal study investigates the effects 12 mercury/silver amalgam

fillings for 30 days. Whole body imaging revealed that mercury was transferred

to every conceivable portion of the sheep's body.[4][5]

Still today, the ADA and other governmental agencies tell us that the mercury in

your mouth, or from vaccinations, is perfectly safe. Scientists say this is a

ridiculous statement that is in violation of science and common sense.

Endocrine Systems Impacts

The affinity of mercury for the pituitary gland was first identified by Stock in

1940.

Mercury (especially mercury vapor or organic mercury) rapidly crosses the

blood-brain barrier and is stored in direct proportion to the number and extent

of dental amalgam surfaces in the following locations:

the pituitary gland,

thyroid gland,

hypothalamus,

and occipital cortex.

Immune Activation

In general, immune activation from toxins such as heavy metals, resulting in

cytokine release and abnormalities of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis,

can cause changes in the brain, fatigue, and severe psychological symptoms, such

as:

depression,

profound fatigue,

muscular-skeletal pain,

sleep disturbances,

gastrointestinal and neurological problems

as are seen in CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune thyroiditis.

Symptoms usually improve significantly after amalgam removal.

Enzymamatic Effects

A direct mechanism involving mercury's inhibition of hormones and cellular

enzymatic processes by binding with the hydroxyl radical (SH) in amino acids,

appears to be a major part of the connection to allergic/immune

reactive/autoimmune conditions such as:

autism/ADHD,

schizophrenia,

lupus,

scleroderma,

eczema,

psoriasis and allergies.

Mercury inhibits the activity of dipeptyl peptidase (DPP IV) which is required

in the digestion of the milk protein casein as well as xanthine oxidase..

Studies involving a large sample of autistic and schizophrenic patients found

that over 90% of those tested had high levels of the neurotoxic milk protein

beta-casomorphine-7 in their blood and urine and defective enzymatic processes

for digesting milk protein. Elimination of milk products from the diet improves

the condition.

Additional cellular level enzymatic effects of mercury binding with proteins

include:

blockage of sulfur oxidation processes,

enzymatic processes involving vitamins B6 and B12,

effects on cytochrome-C energy processes,

along with mercury's adverse effects on mineral levels of calcium, magnesium,

zinc, and lithium.

The enzymatic effects of mercury intoxication may be overcome by the

administration of the thyroid hormone thyroxine.

Thyroid

Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)

are the most common problems of the thyroid gland.[6]

Hypothyroidism is a well-documented cause of mental retardation.

Mercury blocks thyroid hormone production by occupying iodine-binding sites and

inhibiting hormone action even when the measured thyroid levels appears to be in

the proper range.

The thyroid is one of the largest endocrine glands in the body.[6] The thyroid

controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and how sensitive

the body should be to other hormones.[6] The gland gets its name from the Greek

word for " shield " , after the shape of the related thyroid cartilage. [6]

The thyroid is controlled by the hypothalamus and pituitary.[6] Through a

feedback loop, the pituitary releases thyrotropin-releasing hormone, which in

effect tells the thyroid how much thyroxine hormone to release into the

blood.[7][8]

Organic mercury causes severe damage to both the endocrine and neural systems.

Studies have documented that mercury causes:

hypothyroidism,

damage of thyroid RNA,

autoimmune thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid),

and impairment of conversion of thyroid T4 hormone to the active T3 form.

Hypothyroidism

Large percentages of women have elevated levels of antithyroglobulin (anti-TG)

or antithyroid peroxidase antibody (anti-TP).

Slight imbalances of thyroid hormones in expectant mothers can cause permanent

neuropsychiatric damage in the developing fetus.

Maternal hypothyroidism appears to play a role in at least 15% of children whose

IQs are more than 1 standard deviation below the mean, millions of children.

Studies have also established a clear association between the presence of

thyroid antibodies and spontaneous abortions.

Hypothyroidism is a risk factor in spontaneous abortions and infertility.

In pregnant women who suffer from hypothyroidism, there is a four-time greater

risk for miscarriage during the second trimester than in those who don't.

Thyroid Regulation

Both the pituitary and the thyroid display an affinity for accumulating mercury.

Mercury first stimulates and then suppresses the thyroid function.

Chronic intake of mercury for more than ninety days results in signs of mercury

poisoning, together with decreased uptake of iodine and depression of thyroid

hormonal secretion. The thyroid and hypothalamus regulate body temperature and

many metabolic processes including enzymatic processes.

Mercury damage thus commonly results in poor body temperature control, in

addition to many problems caused by hormonal imbalances such as depression. Such

hormonal secretions are affected at levels of mercury exposure much lower than

the acute toxicity effects normally tested.

Blood Brain Barrier

Mercury also damages the blood brain barrier and facilitates penetration of the

brain by other toxic metals and substances.

Cardiovascular Disease

Hypothyroidism is also a major factor in cardiovascular disease.

Nutritional Status and Methly-B12

The thyroid gland has four binding sites for iodine. When mercury attaches to

one of these sites, the hormone activity is altered.

There is a relationship between thyroid function and the nutritional status of

folate, vitamin B12, and methionine.

Mercury affects the nutritional status of folate, vitamin B12, methionine, and

zinc, as well as protein.

There is also a strong association between lowered zinc intake, lowered basal

metabolic rate, lowered thyroid hormones and lowered protein utilization..

Degenerative Disease

There is a fluid flow from the pulp chamber, through the dentin, through the

enamel and into the mouth in people who have no dental decay. Thyroid is part of

the endocrine function that controls the direction of this fluid flow. Low

thyroid hormone production allows this fluid flow to run in the opposite

direction--from the mouth, into the enamel, dentin, and pulp chamber. This fluid

brings bacteria and debris from the mouth with it, leading to dental decay. When

the teeth are susceptible to decay, the whole body is susceptible to

degenerative disease.

Body Temperature Regulation

The thyroid is involved with maintenance of proper body temperature. Most

mercury toxic patients have lower than optimum body temperatures.

The most toxic persons may have temperatures as low as 96.2.

When the amalgam fillings are removed, there is a trend for the temperature to

approach 98.6, sometimes within 24 hours of removing all of the amalgams.

Psychological Effects

The thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland. When the thyroid is

influenced by mercury, there is a high incidence of unexplained depression and

anxiety. A person may have adequate levels of T3 and T4 hormones, but if the

hormones are contaminated, the person is functionally thyroid deficient.

Heart Failure

Thyroid imbalances cause chronic conditions such as clogged arteries and chronic

heart failure. People who test hypothyroid usually have significantly higher

homocysteine and cholesterol--documented risk factors in heart disease.

High Homocysteine

Fifty percent of those also have high levels of homocysteine, and 90% are either

hyperhomocystemic or hypercholesterolemic.

Posterior Pituitary Gland

Emotions - The posterior pituitary hormone joins forces with the thyroid in

influencing emotions. Posterior pituitary hormone is really two hormones,

oxytocin and vasopressin.

The pituitary gland controls many of the body's endocrine system functions and

secretes hormones that control most bodily processes, including the immune

system and reproductive systems.

One study found mercury levels in the pituitary gland ranged from 6.3 to 77 ppb,

while another found the mean levels to be 30 ppb, levels found to be neurotoxic

(toxic to nerves) and cytotoxic (kills cells).

Amalgam fillings, nickel and gold crowns are major factors in reducing pituitary

function.

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is related to the function of the posterior pituitary

hormone vasopressin. It is a short trip for mercury vapor to leave a filling,

and travel into the sinus, and then travel an inch through very porous, spongy

tissues to the pituitary gland.

Mercury is detected in the pituitary gland in less than a minute after placing

amalgam in teeth of test animals.

Adrenal Glands

The adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the star-shaped

endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are chiefly responsible

for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and

catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline, respectively.

Mercury accumulates in the adrenal glands and disrupts adrenal gland function.

During stress, the adrenal glands increase in size as a normal reaction in order

to produce more steroids (hormones). Both physical and physiological stress will

stimulate the adrenal glands.

[9]

The outer shell of the adrenal gland is called the cortex, and the inner core of

the gland is called the medulla

Adrenal Cortex

The adrenal cortex (outer shell) produces several different types of

corticosteroid hormones:

Glucocorticoids

Mineralocorticoids

Androgens

Glucocorticoids

The primary glucocorticoid released by the adrenal gland is cortisol. Its

secretion is regulated by the hormone ACTH from the anterior pituitary. Upon

binding to its target, cortisol enhances metabolism in several ways:

It stimulates the release of amino acids from the body

It stimulates lipolysis, the breakdown of fat

It stimulates gluconeogenesis, the production of glucose from newly-released

amino acids and lipids

It increases blood glucose levels in response to stress, by inhibiting glucose

uptake into muscle and fat cells

It strengthens cardiac muscle contractions

It increases water retention

It has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.[9]

Cortisone is a corticoid essential to life and functions to maintain stress

reactions.

Mineralocorticoids

The primary mineralocorticoid is aldosterone. Aldosterone regulates the balance

of blood electrolytes and also cause the kidneys to retain sodium and excrete

potassium and hydrogen. [9] Mineral corticoids are also involved in

gluconeogenesis, which is the process whereby your body converts glycogen to

glucose (blood sugar). It also increased water retention and blood volume.[9]

Adrogens

Small amounts of corticoid sex hormones, both male and female, are also produced

by the adrenal cortex. The most important androgens include:

Testosterone

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): a metabolite of testosterone, and a more potent

androgen than testosterone in that it binds more strongly to androgen receptors.

Androstenedione (Andro)

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA): It is the primary precursor of natural estrogens.

DHEA is also called dehydroisoandrosterone or dehydroandrosterone.

Nutrients

Two primary nutrients for the adrenal glands are:

pantothenic acid

and vitamin C.

Pantothenic acid: - A deficiency of pantothenic acid can lead to adrenal

exhaustion (chronic fatigue) and ultimately to destruction of the adrenal

glands. A deficiency of pantothenic acid also causes a progressive fall in the

level of adrenal hormones produced.

Vitamin C - One of the largest tissue stores of vitamin C is the adrenals; it is

exceeded only by the level of vitamin C in the pituitary. Physical and mental

stress increase the excretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the

pituitary, which is the hormone that tells the adrenals to increase their

activity. The increased adrenal activity, in turn, depletes both vitamin C and

pantothenic acid from the glands.

Humans cannot produce vitamin C. They therefore attempt to replenish the needs

of the adrenals by taking the vitamin from other storage locations in the body.

If your overall ascorbate status is low, there may be an insufficient amount

available to satisfy the needs of the adrenals. Under this condition, normal

adrenal hormone response may become inadequate, leading to an inadequate immune

function.

Cholesterol

All adrenocortical hormones are synthesised from cholesterol.[9] Cholesterol is

transported into the inner mitochondrial membrane by steroidogenic acute

regulatory protein (STAR), where it is converted into pregnenolone by the enzyme

CYP11A1.[9] Accordingly, production of hormones in all three layers of the

adrenal cortex is limited by the transportation of cholesterol into the

mitochondria and by its conversion into pregnenolone.[9]

The major regulator of adrenocortical growth and secretion activity is the

pituitary hormone ACTH (adreno-cortico-tropic hormone). ACTH attaches to

receptors on the surface of the adrenal cortical cell and activates an enzymatic

action that ultimately produces cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP, in

turn, serves as a co-factor in activating key enzymes in the adrenal cortex.

The adrenal cortex is able to synthesize cholesterol and to also take it up from

circulation.

All steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands are derived from cholesterol

through a series of enzymatic actions, which are all stimulated initially by

ACTH.

Steroid biosynthesis involves the conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone,

which is then enzymatically transformed into the major biologically active

corticosteroids.

cAMP is produced from adenosine triphosphate (ATP) by the action of adenylate

cyclase. Adenylate cyclase activity in the brain is inhibited by micromolar

concentrations of lead, mercury, and cadmium. One of the key biochemical steps

in the conversion of adrenal pregnenolone to cortisol and aldosterone involves

an enzyme identified as 21-hydroxylase.

Steroid Biosynthesis Blocked by Mercury

Mercury causes a defect in adrenal steroid biosynthesis by inhibiting the

activity of 21a-hydroxylase. The consequences of this inhibition include lowered

plasma levels of corticosterone and elevated concentrations of progesterone and

dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA is an adrenal male hormone. Because patients

with 21-hydroxylase deficiencies are incapable of synthesizing cortisol with

normal efficiency, there's a compensatory rise in ACTH leading to adrenal

hyperplasia and excessive excretion of 17a-hydroxyprogesterone, which, without

the enzyme 21-hydroxylase, cannot be converted to cortisol. The inhibition of

the 21-hydroxylase system may be the mechanism behind the mercury-induced

adrenal hyperplasia. Adrenal hyperplasia can stress the adrenal glands by their

accelerated activity to produce steroids to the point that production begins to

diminish and the glands will atrophy. The result is a subnormal production of

corticosteroids. Both lead and

mercury can precipitate pathophysiological changes along the

hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and gonadal axis that may seriously affect

reproductive function, organs, and tissues. Leukocyte production, distribution,

and function are markedly altered by glucocorticosteroid administration. In

's disease (hypofunction of adrenal glands), neutrophilia occurs 4-6

hours after administration of a single dose of hydrocortisone, prednisone, or

dexamethasone. Neutrophilia is an increase in the number of neutrophils in the

blood. Neutrophils are also called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). Mercury

not only causes a suppression of adrenocorticosteroids that would normally have

stimulated an increase of PMNs, but at the same time also affect the ability of

existing PMNs to perform immunity by inhibiting a reaction that destroys foreign

substances.

Adrenal Mercury Toxicity

Mercury builds up in the pituitary gland and depletes the adrenals of both

pantothenic acid and vitamin C. Stress and the presence of mercury will have a

very negative effect on the adrenal production of critical steroids.

The ability of the adrenal gland to produce steroids is called steroidogenesis

and is dependent upon reactions mediated by the enzyme Cytochrome P-450..

Cytochrome P-450 reacts with cholesterol to produce pregnenolone, which is then

converted to progesterone.

Cytochrome P-450 can then convert progesterone to deoxycorticosterone, which is

then converted to corticosterone or aldosterone by other enzymes in the

adrenals.

These adrenal functions are also affected by metal ions.

Other Effects

Suicide

Part of the reason for depression is related to mercury's effect of reducing the

development of posterior pituitary hormone (oxytocin).

Low levels of pituitary function are associated with depression and suicidal

thoughts, and appear to be a major factor in suicide of teenagers and other

vulnerable groups.

As a profession, dentists rank highest in suicide.

Autopsy studies in Sweden showed that the pituitary glands of dentists held 800

times more mercury than people who were not in dentistry.

Braces

Suicidal thoughts are not limited to dental personnel though. Suicide is close

to the number-one cause of death in teenagers.

Braces increase the electrical and toxic load people are carrying if they have

amalgam in their mouths. Amalgam can create suicidal tendencies by itself, but

the addition of braces, nickel crowns, or even gold crowns evidently increases

the exit rate of mercury, and the glands react--or actually stop reacting.

Suicidal tendencies tend to disappear within a few days of supplemental oxytocin

extract, along with dental metal removal.

Menstrual cycle problems, also normalize and fertility increases and

endometriosis symptoms subside.

Frequent Urination

The center that controls the need to get up several times each night to urinate

is the posterior pituitary gland. There is a certain amount of solid material

that must be disposed of daily in the urine. If the concentration of these

solids is high (yield a specific gravity of 1.022 to 1.025) then the proper

volume of urine will be excreted in a day. Should the concentration be half

that, or yielding a specific gravity of 1.012 for instance, then it will take

double the amount of urine to rid yourself of the same amount of solid. In other

words, the solids remain the same. If the concentration of the urine is reduced,

the total volume of urine is increased substantially. This ability of the kidney

is controlled by the posterior pituitary.

Mercury Detox

ADHD populations have high levels of mercury and recover after mercury

detoxification. As mercury levels are reduced, the protein binding is reduced

and improvement in the enzymatic process occurs.

References

↑ Summers, A.O., Wireman, J., Vimy, M.J., Lorscheider, F.L., Marshall, B.,

Levy, S.B., , s., Billard, L., Mercury released from dental " silver "

fillings provokes an increase in mercury and antibiotic resistant bacteria in

primates oral and intestinal flora; Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, vol.

37, pp.825-834, 1993

↑ 2.0 2.1 WikiPedia Endocrine Gland

↑ YouTube video

↑ Kennedy, DDS

↑ M. J. Vimy, Y. Takahashi and F. L. Lorscheider, Department of Medicine,

Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Maternal-fetal

distribution of mercury (203Hg) released from dental amalgam fillings.

http://ajpregu.physiology.org/cgi/content/abstract/258/4/R939 AJP:Cell

Physiology]

↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 WikiPedia Thyroid

↑ Cargill MA, MBA, MS; Thorpe Vargas MS, Ph.D. Hypothyroidism link

↑ WikiPedia Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 WikiPedia Adrenal Cortex

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Love, Gabby. :0)

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[Guest guest]

Very interesting article about mercury. Thank you for posting it!

Kathy Lapp

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