Any kind of virus or bacteria that is not suppose to be there is stressful to the body as well as the immune system. I am sure the adrenals are going to take some of the brunt for dealing with the infection from time to time. Misschriss do you also have low cholesterol levels <150 as well. Because cholesterol is needed to help in the immune system how exactly I do not know, but I have seen alot of people with viral infections have low cholesterol. Mine is 115 despite redmeat, cocconut oil, organic butter consumption so it may just be a genetic issue. Ok I am 3 more times to likely die of heart attack, stroke, or suicide thats just fantastic LOL

@misseschris 3014 wrote:

Dr. Mariano, I have been very interested in your information pertaining to the adrenal glands lately, thank you. I have adrenal/thyroid issues that have been very hard to resolve. I take a small amount of isocort and a small amount of Natural Thyroid Hormone.

In regard to what you have said about the adrenals not being fatigued, but disregulated, I have been looking back over the past few years and what could have caused the disregulation. I have, over the past year of so worked on fixing hormonal and nutritional imbalances, but continue to have weakly functioning adrenals.

The precurser to all of this was me contracting herpes 2 about 6 years ago. Before that I was a long distance runner and had loads of energy. I contracted herpes when I was 50 years old and my health has not been the same since. My first episode was terrible and I was very ill for a month, it took 3 months to get back on my feet somewhat. Ever since then I have had these terrible adrenal and thyroid problems (I actually didn’t put 2 and 2 together until I read your articles regarding possible underlying infections causing HPA disregulation). While I’m outbreak free, which usually lasts about 3 months I do well. Then when I break out, my health spirals down and I usually have about 3 outbreaks in a row before it clears.

So now I am looking at this as a possible underlying cause of my low adrenal output. As Herpes 2 is an incurable disease, do you have any suggestions as to increase my outbreak free periods? I did notice that higher levels of D3 seemed to help with prolonging the outbreak free periods, however I have dropped my dose somewhat since it is summer.

Thank you in advance for any general information on this subject.

Many viral infections have no cure. Some end up permanently inhabiting the body causing chronic activation of the immune system. This may then lead to adrenal dysregulation and other illnesses, including mood disorders.

Herpes generally can be quiescent unless a person is subjected to high stress levels. This can then re-activate the infection.

Chronic infections have to be managed to prevent their secondary problems (e.g. immune system inflammatory signaling, adrenal dysregulation, stress, etc.). Sometimes this means chronic treatment with low dose antivirals or low dose antibiotics. Acyclovir specifically prevents viral DNA replication. I would consider low dose treatment until any other problems that contribute to frequent reactivations are also addressed.

If a person has frequent re-activations of the infection then there are other problems in the system which have not been fully addressed. Other problem, such as nutritional deficiencies, and other infections can also increase stress signaling and immune system signaling, leading to re-activation of the infection. These have to be found and addressed so that the frequency of re-activation of the virus can be reduced and a person can live a more productive and well life. Of course, psychological, social, and environmental issues have to be addressed to reduce external stress to the body when in excess.

Why lower D3 even in the summer? Why not measure one’s D3 levels first to determine whether nor not it needs continued supplementation.

Generally, since people wear clothing, vitamin D production via the skin is going to be impaired even in the summer. Also, light levels are lower north or south of the equator, further reducing vitamin D production.