• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
The Brain Health Magazine
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The Brain Health Magazine
No Result
View All Result

Hormone Imbalances Post-Traumatic Injury

What's happening to all those hormones?

in Brain Function, Hormones, Mental Health, TBI
January 21, 2021
0
Hormone Imbalances Post-Traumatic Injury

by James A. Heuer

The brain is the key instrument to regulating hormones in our bodies. As a result, damage to any part of the brain that releases and monitors hormones disrupts the ability to maintain stability. Physical, emotional, and psychological issues can arise due to either hormone insufficiency or overproduction.

Small structures at the base of the brain are responsible for regulating the body’s hormones. When these areas of the brain become damaged,  either an increase of one or more hormones or an insufficient release of hormones may occur. This results in what is called homeostasis. Homeostasis is the body’s system of monitoring and regulating its internal environment stability and bodily functions including  temperature, thirst, hunger, and sleep/wake cycles.

The endocrine system is affected after a TBI. Often, the hypothalamus and/or pituitary gland are damaged. The hypothalamus and pituitary gland are both small parts of the brain responsible for hormonal regulation. These parts of the brain tell other endocrine glands throughout the body to make hormones. The more severe the TBI, the higher the chance for these hormonal problems to occur.

In the early stages post TBI, hormonal problems can cause a condition known as diabetes insipidus (not to be confused with diabetes), which is an excessive production of dilute urine and increased thirst. This condition occurs from a reduction in the production and secretion of hormones. The problem may be treated with an anti-diuretic medication, but in some cases requires lifelong hormone replacement therapy.

Hypopituitarism can be diagnosed later in TBI recovery. Hypopituitarism is a condition that occurs following the damage to the pituitary gland, resulting in a reduction in hormone production.  In the early stages of a TBI, the hormone levels are severely affected, so it’s difficult to diagnose hypopituitarism. The option to run hormone level tests is highly recommended, and your doctor may recommend a brain scan to look for damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.

What are the symptoms of hypopituitarism?

  • Depression
  • Sexual difficulties
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • Vision disturbance
  • Headaches

The pituitary gland, “the master gland” located in the base of the brain consists of two parts. A brain injury to this area does not usually lead to visual damage, but affects its function by damaging the neurons and blood vessels. Damage to the pituitary gland may lead to reduction in hormone production.

Blood tests of dysregulation are recommended as you may find resistance from a doctor who believes the symptoms are unrelated to hormones. If the tests come back normal, sometimes doctors discount the issue. Endocrinologists should run the hormone level tests. Tests measuring cortisol levels and measuring at the right time because they vary throughout the day are important.

Adrenal insufficiency can be diagnosed as primary, secondary, or tertiary adrenal. The symptoms include low energy, depression, anxiety, low blood pressure, and anemia.

Primary is when adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol and aldosterone because the glands are damaged, usually permanently . Secondary is when the adrenal glands won’t make enough cortisol. Lastly, tertiary adrenal is when the hypothalamus doesn’t create enough corticotrophin-releasing hormone.

Identifying hormone dysregulation starts with keeping an eye on your energy levels, growth problems, and changes in body temperature. You may experience decreased energy or increased fatigue. As far as growth problems, your bone size and expected height can go far beyond. The changes in your body temperature may mean you feel too hot or cold. You may notice skin and nail changes such as brittle nails and dry skin. You might  experience unexplained weight change or hair loss and thinning. Lastly, you may have problems with memory and concentration.

After the diagnosis of hormonal issues post-TBI, getting the correct individual treatment is important. Hormone replacement therapy is used to restore hormones to normal level. Start the treatment as quickly as possible after diagnosis, although some symptoms may not appear immediately after the TBI. In some cases symptoms may take weeks, months, or even years later to arise. Recent research  shows the hormonal imbalance issues reduces over time in a number of TBI survivors. TBI survivors must pay attention to their body and be aware of the symptoms to progress in TBI recovery and the proper treatment plan.

James A. Heuer, PA is a personal injury attorney helping individuals with TBI after suffering one himself. He is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare Via EmailPinterest
Next Post
Essential Oils: Rose

Essential Oils: Rose

SIGN UP

BLOG

Yoga: Seated Cobra Pose

Yoga: Seated Cobra Pose

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief Yoga is a powerful tool for neuroplasticity. Contrary to some beliefs, everyone can do yoga — you don’t need to be super flexible, be able to balance, or even be able to stand up. The beauty of yoga is every pose can be modified to accommodate anyone. An important aspect of […]

Read more
Resilience After a Brain Injury

Resilience After a Brain Injury

By Dr. Shane Steadman, DC, DACNB, DCBCN, CNS Recovery after a brain injury can be a long journey. Working hard and hoping to get back to baseline often can be frustrating, and for some, unattainable. With the many doctor visits, exercises, rehab appointments, medications, and supplements, goals can become lost. However, amid recovering from a […]

Read more
The Resiliency of the Human Brain and Body

The Resiliency of the Human Brain and Body

By James A. Heuer, PA As a personal injury attorney for over 45 years, I have witnessed many of my clients successfully recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Whether the TBI occurs from a car crash, a slip and fall, or blow to the head, the resiliency of the human body and brain is […]

Read more
Resiliency: Is It Just Personal or Part of Brain Chemistry?

Resiliency: Is It Just Personal or Part of Brain Chemistry?

By Deborah Zelinsky, O.D. The term resiliency encompasses “the range of personal protective factors, environmental supports, and resources, as well as self-regulatory processes, engaged in response to adversity,” according to investigators writing about recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI) for the publication Disability and Rehabilitation. Indeed, author Mike Norton  said it best when he wrote, […]

Read more
Stress Away Essential Oil

Stress Away Essential Oil

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief A complementary tool that can help you achieve a healthy lifestyle, essential oils are easy to use and smell great, with a variety of uses. All oils are not created equal. I personally only trust the Young Living brand because I know they maintain complete control over their product from seed […]

Read more
Resiliency and the Courtroom

Resiliency and the Courtroom

By Jeff Heller Resiliency is one of the greatest attributes anyone can have. From an early age, parents teach their children, “if you get knocked down, you get back up.” Coaches teach their players, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” And one of the cornerstones of the underdog mentality is to “never […]

Read more
The Quality of Resilience

The Quality of Resilience

by Shauna Hahn Sometime in 2019, in the weekly “Healing and Recovery” therapy group I lead, we discussed the topic of the quality of “resilience.” When it came time for a patient to contribute, he said, “I don’t want to be resilient. I get tired of being resilient all the f**king time.” And I heard […]

Read more
Peanut Butter Protein Fluff

Peanut Butter Protein Fluff

By Amy Zellmer, Editor-in-chief What You Need: 1 cup (250g) full-fat Greek yogurt 2 tbsp. peanut butter or almond butter 2 tsp. stevia Favorite garnish (banana, granola, blueberries) Add the yogurt, nut butter and stevia into a small mixing bowl and whisk together using a hand mixer, until fluffy. Transfer the mix into a bowl […]

Read more
Arizona Man Overcomes Three Traumatic Brain Injuries and Gives Back By Building Adaptive Recreation & Socialization Program for Survivors

Arizona Man Overcomes Three Traumatic Brain Injuries and Gives Back By Building Adaptive Recreation & Socialization Program for Survivors

By Ed Roth Randy Elston is finally living his best life, which may be an odd thing to say about a Marine Corps veteran with three traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Recently named as the Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona’s new Adaptive Recreation & Activities Coordinator, Randy’s tours of duty in Iraq left him with a […]

Read more

INSTAGRAM

Follow Us!

    The Instagram Access Token is expired, Go to the Customizer > JNews : Social, Like & View > Instagram Feed Setting, to refresh it.

© Copyright 2019 | The Brain Health Magazine

  • Advertise With Us
  • Submission Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms
  • Contact Us

DISCLAIMER: THIS MAGAZINE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE - View PDF

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Archives
  • Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used.