hpta changes-any theories?

[chap]

I was just thinking to myself how the hpta changes.... the body is basically cells and chemical reactions, I wonder what actually happens to the hypothalmus that it adjusts what it decides is a threshold over time? for example, clomid therapy tends to effect changes in the glands that persist long after clomid is withdrawn.... yet the changes need to be influenced over a long enough time period.... in other words, 1 day of clomid won't change much in the long term, but 2 months of clomid seems to change something in the glands that stays that way for a long long time, or forever

Do you think it has to do with the cells needing to die and regenerated with the new thresholds? Does science have glands figured out very in depth?

[mxim]

what do you mean about clomid making permanant changes? how and what?

[chap]

there have been studies that show cases of low testosterone being reversed by two months of clomid therapy and subsequent blood tests a year down the road showed that the 'cure' persisted (so many could assume that a change that persists for a year at least could be called 'permanent')

[chap]

my original question in this thread probably came across as confusing

basically I am wondering if science understands the glands like pituitary and hypothalmus thoroughly, like how does a gland, which is basically just chemicals and cells, decide to produce more or less of something, and then months later changes those 'setpoints'? DNA programming? receptor attenuation? new receptors grow and follow the cue of the dying receptor cells?

[marianco]

Originally Posted by chap

I was just thinking to myself how the hpta changes.... the body is basically cells and chemical reactions, I wonder what actually happens to the hypothalmus that it adjusts what it decides is a threshold over time? for example, clomid therapy tends to effect changes in the glands that persist long after clomid is withdrawn.... yet the changes need to be influenced over a long enough time period.... in other words, 1 day of clomid won't change much in the long term, but 2 months of clomid seems to change something in the glands that stays that way for a long long time, or forever

Do you think it has to do with the cells needing to die and regenerated with the new thresholds? Does science have glands figured out very in depth?

The body is not just cells and chemical reactions. That would be like saying a computer consists of just wires and electricity.

The body is an extremely intricate system which functions as a whole to maintain the existence of the body.

The hypothalamus, itself, is a component of the brain. The brain is a component of the nervous system. The nervous system is a component of the body's information processing system. The body's information processing system includes the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system). This forms what we experience as "the mind".

When Clomid is given, it blocks estrogen receptors and increases testosterone production. Blocking estrogen receptors and increasing testosterone activity sets up a chain of events which can persist.

When a person has low testosterone, brain dopamine levels may be lower, contributing to depression, stress. The adrenals can be overworked because testosterone helps prevent the adrenals from "overheating". Low testosterone levels causes insulin resistance, leads to weight gain and fatty-acid abnormalities. Insulin resistance causes a biological viscious circle because it lowers testosterone production - while low testosterone contributes to insulin resistance.

Adding Clomid can restore a more normal state - e.g. with higher testosterone reducing stress, reducing insulin resistance, reducing weight, helping restore adrenal function by preventing adrenal overwork, improve mood by increasing dopamine levels. Higher dopamine levels also increase testosterone production - while testosterone increases dopamine levels - a positive biological cycle.

Once a more normal state is achieved, it can persist even without Clomid - a momentum is achieved for health, so to speak. This can persist so long as other factors are not present, which contribute to the original reduction in testosterone. These include: age-related impairment in testosterone production, pituitary aging and loss of production, stress which can overwhelm adrenal function and cause insulin resistance, diet which contributes to weight gain, stopping healthy activities such as exercise and stress reduction behaviors, etc.

[chap]

wow, Marianco, that was a thoughtful post, gave me some new perspective

so much interplay between so many hormones and body functions

[hackskii]

No kidding WOW.
Man what a cool post.