Endocrine diseases are common, however most people have never heard of adrenal insufficiency or even know what cortisol is.
Adrenal Insufficiency and Diabetes are both endocrine diseases. However one has a great deal of awareness, whereas the other does not. So, we will use them both to explain the cortisol pumping method.
Adrenal Insufficiency and Type 1 Diabetes are both difficult diseases to manage. Both are serious, endocrine, auto immune disorders and we are in no way downplaying the battle of diabetic patients, we are simply using it as a comparative tool to explain adrenal disease, as most people are unaware of it.
Adrenal insufficiency is a disease where the adrenal glands fail to produce the proper amounts of steroid hormones. There are many different forms of adrenal disease, but the treatment for all forms is the same- steroids for cortisol replacement.
Type 1 Diabetes is the disease where the pancreas fails to produce the correct amount of insulin, thus rendering someone insulin dependent. Both of these diseases are endocrine disorders. Both of these diseases require life-long replacement therapy. The adrenal insufficient person is dependent on cortisol. The diabetic is dependent on insulin. Both of these diseases are life threatening. Both of these diseases require daily monitoring.
Almost every cell in the body has cortisol receptors, making it a crucial hormone. This hormone impacts multiple functions of the body. Without adequate levels of cortisol, the body will go into an adrenal crisis which will result in organ failure and eventually death. Cortisol impacts blood sugar levels, metabolism, stress response, inflammation levels, aids in the immune system, affects the metabolic processes such as the salt and water balances within the body and it also greatly impacts the circadian rhythm.
Unlike diabetic patients, adrenal disease sufferers have no meter to check their cortisol levels. They must be constantly vigilant of their own personal signs and symptoms of low cortisol. and require an emergency injection if their levels drop too low. The standard treatment for all adrenal disease patients is daily cortisol replacement medication- steroids.
Medications such as prednisone, dexamethasone or hydrocortisone are prescribed to replace the deficits of steroid hormones in the body. Steroids have a myriad of side effects ranging from weight gain to emotional disturbances. Long term steroid use has been linked to damage of the bones, eyesight and even muscle tissue. Yet, steroid cortisol replacement is the only treatment for adrenal disease.
In a normal person, during situations of emotional or physical stress their body releases more cortisol. The excitement from a happy event, the sadness from a death of a loved one or the strain from exercising are examples of things that would cause the body to release more cortisol. In an adrenal insufficient person, this does not happen. They have to artificially manage their cortisol. Their personal cortisol needs may differ from day to day. No two days are the same and it is a struggle to regulate proper cortisol levels.
The most commonly prescribed steroid for adrenal insufficiency is hydrocortisone (HC). This is the bio-identical steroid medication. This medication has a blood serum half life of 90 minutes and must be taken multiple times a day. Most adrenal patients struggle with quality of life due to this mismanagement. Oral HC must be processed through the stomach and the liver before reaching the blood stream. This causes a constant rise and fall of cortisol levels, which results in subpar function, increases mortality rates and decreases quality of life.
Quality of life in adrenal disease patients is vastly poor due to this lack of balance. Oral cortisol replacement cannot do what natural cortisol can. But fortunately, endocrinology research has found a solution for adrenal patients who have failed to stabilize on oral cortisol replacement medications.
The concept of Cortisol Pumping is the use of solu-cortef (inject-able version of cortisol when mixed with saline) used in an insulin pump programmed to disperse cortisol according to the natural circadian rhythm by programming rates of delivery into the pump. This therapy bypasses the gastric passage and is able to deliver cortisol in a more natural way. With this method, an adrenal insufficient patient can receive a constant supply of cortisol and will not suffer the instability experienced with oral steroid cortisol replacement. Side effects due to mal-absorption are decreased and patients have been reported to have improved sleep, weight management and experience an overall improvement in their energy levels and sense of well-being. This method has also been proven to lessen the prevalence of adrenal crises and lessen hospitalizations due to low cortisol.
Peter Hindmarsh, Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology at University College London and Consultant in Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at University College London Hospitals and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children is the pioneer for this treatment. He is currently Divisional Clinical Director for Paediatrics at University College London Hospitals is the standard for the cortisol infusion method. He has done much international research and has proven that this method improves the lives of adrenal insufficient patients.
Though this method is not a cure for adrenal disease, it is an option and a ray of hope for those who are struggling with quality of life.
Access to the cortisol pump treatment is limited and the Adrenal Alternatives Foundation is dedicated to helping people establish care and maintain pumps/supplies to achieve this life changing treatment.
Adrenal Alternatives Foundation was created to help all adrenal disease patients find better quality of life. They are actively working to make sure ALL treatment options, including the cortisol pump are available to all adrenal insufficiency sufferers.
This is just one step into bettering the lives of future adrenal disease patients.
If you are struggling to manage adrenal insufficiency, don’t lose hope. There is help out there and Adrenal Alternatives Foundation is dedicated to education, advocacy and encouragement for all adrenal disease.
For more information please visit their website- https://adrenalalternatives.com/
