How does CIRS cause low MSH and what does low MSH do?
Hypothalamic Dysregulation causes low melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) production. Normally leptin receptors in the hypothalamus attach to leptin to create MSH. MSH is the building block to a lot of other hormones that your body needs. When you have chronic inflammation the inflammatory cytokines (proteins) attach to those leptin receptors instead of leptin. When this happens no MSH is produced.
Your body then says "we don't have enough MSH - release more leptin for the hypothalamus so we can get some made." So the body releases more leptin, but still the inflammatory cytokines attach to the leptin receptors and no MSH gets made. So the body says "release even more leptin." Your body keeps releasing leptin to get your MSH to increase to no avail. Meanwhile you feel very, very hungry as leptin is also the hormone that makes you hungry. You can have so much leptin in your system that you start to get "leptin resistance." So on top of not burning fat you also feel hungry.
Low MSH causes malabsorption in the gut resulting in conditions like chronic diarrhea, "leaky gut" syndrome or induced gluten and/or possibly casein intolerance. Some people even get IBS "irritable bowel syndrome."
When MSH doesn't get produced other MSH-dependent hormones fall below normal levels as follows:
1.) Melatonin = poor sleep
2.) Endorphins = chronic pain
3.) ACTH/Cortisol = labs will show elevated cortisol and ACTH in early stages and then will drop excessively low later. Tip: Avoid steroids like prednisone unless not taking them will be life threatening. Taking steroids will cause even lower ACTH. (The lab test for this is called ACTH/Cortisol and both blood draws must be done at the same time.)
4.) Androgens = low testosterone and DHEA. See CIRS and Testosterone.
5.) Antidiuretic Hormone = constant state of mild dehydration which may result in thirst, frequent urination and susceptibility to static shocks. (The lab test for this is called ADH/Osmolality and both blood draws must be done at the same time.)
Your body then says "we don't have enough MSH - release more leptin for the hypothalamus so we can get some made." So the body releases more leptin, but still the inflammatory cytokines attach to the leptin receptors and no MSH gets made. So the body says "release even more leptin." Your body keeps releasing leptin to get your MSH to increase to no avail. Meanwhile you feel very, very hungry as leptin is also the hormone that makes you hungry. You can have so much leptin in your system that you start to get "leptin resistance." So on top of not burning fat you also feel hungry.
Low MSH causes malabsorption in the gut resulting in conditions like chronic diarrhea, "leaky gut" syndrome or induced gluten and/or possibly casein intolerance. Some people even get IBS "irritable bowel syndrome."
When MSH doesn't get produced other MSH-dependent hormones fall below normal levels as follows:
1.) Melatonin = poor sleep
2.) Endorphins = chronic pain
3.) ACTH/Cortisol = labs will show elevated cortisol and ACTH in early stages and then will drop excessively low later. Tip: Avoid steroids like prednisone unless not taking them will be life threatening. Taking steroids will cause even lower ACTH. (The lab test for this is called ACTH/Cortisol and both blood draws must be done at the same time.)
4.) Androgens = low testosterone and DHEA. See CIRS and Testosterone.
5.) Antidiuretic Hormone = constant state of mild dehydration which may result in thirst, frequent urination and susceptibility to static shocks. (The lab test for this is called ADH/Osmolality and both blood draws must be done at the same time.)
