Like Hermes, hormones are tiny messengers that help the body communicate and maintain healthy systems. Marla Ahlgrimm explains that the hypothalamus, a part of the brain, is directly responsible for the regulation of many hormones. Understanding how these “brainy hormones” work can help you make better decisions regarding your health.

Q: What does the hypothalamus control? 

Marla Ahlgrimm: The hypothalamus produces certain hormones that control and regulate the pituitary gland. Together, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland send directions to the endocrine system, triggering the production and release of other hormones. The hypothalamus is important to overall hormone health.

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Hypoparathyroidism is a condition where the body does not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH). According to Marla Ahlgrimm, inadequate levels of PTH can cause a drop in blood calcium levels which leads to an increase in phosphorus. This can cause all sorts of health issues, says Ahlgrimm.

Q: What causes hypoparathyroidism? 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Hypoparathyroidism can be inherited, or may also be caused by damage during thyroid gland, neck, or throat surgery. Autoimmune diseases, radiation therapy to the neck or head, and low magnesium levels can also contribute to hypoparathyroidism.

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Stress is an unavoidable part of life but when it is left unchecked it can have unpleasant side effects – from depression to obesity and digestive issues. In the following brief question and answer session, women’s healthcare expert Marla Ahlgrimm opens up about the body’s response to stress.

Q: What is stress? 

Marla Ahlgrimm: Stress is a subjective feeling of strain or pressure. While stress itself is invisible, its effects can have very tangible consequences.
Q: How does the body respond to stress? 

Marla Ahlgrimm: The clinical term for the process wherein the body adapts to stress is called Allostasis. The “fight or flight” response is perhaps the best-known reaction to sudden stressors that potentially threaten a one’s personal, physical safety. This is when the body releases a sudden surge of epinephrine (adrenaline) into the bloodstream. It is a temporary response in the body that returns to normal over the course of a couple of hours. Long-term stress, however, can cause the body to overproduce cortisol which can cause serious health issues.

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There is a common belief that a condition known as “adrenal fatigue” can cause stress, insomnia, and the feeling of general subjugation. However, according to Marla Ahlgrimm, adrenal fatigue is not a medically diagnosable condition. Adrenal insufficiency is.

Q: How is adrenal fatigue diagnosed?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are no tests that can determine adrenal fatigue, since it is a theoretical condition.

Q: What is the difference between the idea of adrenal fatigue and adrenal insufficiency?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Adrenal insufficiency is a diagnosable condition, detected via blood test. A person with an adrenal insufficiency may experience constant fatigue, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, unexplained weight loss, nausea and vomiting, intestinal pain, confusion, and dehydration. Adrenal insufficiency is treatable with medicines that replace the hormones typically produced by the adrenal glands.

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Retired pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm spent her entire career focused on women’s health, specifically where hormones are concerned. Here, the Madison, Wisconsin based healthcare entrepreneur answers questions about the chemicals that keep us going.

Q: What are hormones?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Hormones are chemicals produced by different glands throughout the body. They are responsible for regulating the biological systems that keep us healthy. Hormones affect every system of the body and are vital to normal growth and development.
Q: From where do hormones derive?

Marla Ahlgrimm: There are 10 primary hormone producing glands. These are the hypothalamus, parathyroid, thymus, pancreas, thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, pineal, ovaries, and testes. Each gland controls specific hormones. For instance, the parathyroid gland controls the body’s calcium levels while the testes in men produce testosterone and sperm. The thymus and thyroid control immune system maturity and the body’s ability to burn calories respectively.

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Hormones are like tiny little chemical messengers that travel throughout the bloodstream to tell the organs and tissues exactly what they’re supposed to do. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, hormones affect everything from growth and development to mood and sexual function. Both men and women’s bodies are governed by hormones, which fluctuate with age.

Effect on female development

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that certain hormones are released as the body develops into adulthood. During puberty, hormones are associated with skin and hair changes, mood swings, and the onset of menstruation. Breast tenderness, insomnia, and menstrual cramps are also signs the body’s hormone levels are shifting. Girls typically enter puberty at the end of adolescence, somewhere between 12- and 14-years-old.

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