Guest guest Posted January 3, 2007 Report Share Posted January 3, 2007 , I have been looking at estrogen-serotonin and insulin-serotonin relationships, as you suggested. I've tried to find technical info, studies etc, though admittedly it would take a physician to understand some of them. I'm not sure if what I've found is right or particularly relevant to my situation, but here's how I understand it. Estrogen is high during ovulation, and the time leading up to menstruation. A hormone is released at ovulation (LH) which stimulates the production of progesterone. If the egg is not fertilised, then the breakdown of the empty ovarian follicle causes hormones to taper off in production, levels of progesterone drop, and menstruation occurs. The relationship between estrogen and serotonin seems to be little understood, though lots of tests on laboratory animals are going on. The simple idea seems to be that high levels of estrogen cause high levels of serotonin, and that estrogen can actually act as a natural SRI. What I've found about insulin and serotonin only seems to reflect what I learned during my Radiant Recovery period. That tryptophan, the precursor of serotonin, competes with other amino acids for entry through the blood-brain barrier. A rush of insulin causes the other amino acids to be absorbed by the cells, leaving tryptophan home free, and it gets into the brain and causes an elevation in serotonin. It's undeniable that this happens when I eat sugar or carbs, and is probably why I sometimes find them hard to resist when I feel low. I know they will give me that soothing serotonin release, as well as an opioid-type response. I can't seem to find any other info about a serotonin-insulin relationship, though I'm sure that can't be all. I guess I'm a bit unclear about where I should be focusing, because I don't really know what the baseline is. I don't know what's happening to my system, 8 months after cold turkey withdrawal. Do I have too little serotonin, are my receptors not upregulated yet? Or is it possible that the balance fluctuates? I wouldn't be surprised, I know these drugs throw everything off kilter. As far as estrogen goes, I'm not too clear about a relationship there either. Estrogen appears to be high from ovulation to menstruation, but most women actually feel worse during the time leading up to their period. I've often wondered if my balance went wrong BEFORE the depression started, because at the exact same time I felt the depressive symptoms begin, I also started to experience the extremely heavy periods. The two seemed related somehow. Carrot juice seems to be regulating my periods now, but I can't help but wonder if something is still " off. " However, I've just figured that by eating well and taking supplements, things would balance out in time. Sorry this is a bit long-winded. No surprise coming from me LOL. Am I on the right track anywhere here? Many thanks , . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 3, 2008 Report Share Posted September 3, 2008 for me it is not " what hormones do " ,it is the meaning we give to this that makes us feeling " better " or " worse " ... it is a roller coaster, but... (there are many ways of finishing stated above sentence...the best way is to cross " but " out and say " it is a roller coaster " . Thn start thinking " how " can i make it better for me, HOW can i manage... this is what works for me...) this is how i try to approach my problems...and " yes " my hormones have a real dance sometimes...at the moment i really don't know if i am menopausal or have only withdrawal symptoms, or both + full time work + full time therapy + studying + marriage + managing my brother and my mother (they are both like children...)... today i am on hoildaysy, trying to get as much rest as possible for the next battle...i am going to make a next step with effexor next week- another 5% down from 37.5mg twice a day... ikam > > In a message dated 9/1/2008 1:29:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time, > annetteportz@... writes: > > ** You're not doing yourself any favors and you're modeling hopelessness for > your children. The worse your mindset, the worse you will feel. > > --C > > > > > Believe me, > When your hormones are very messed up, trying to reprogram your mind is > impossible! Until you experience it, you have no way of understanding what it's > like living through it. > > Tammy > > > ** Tammy, you're commenting on something where you're lacking all the information. How do you know about others' hormones and how out of whack they are? My comment stands as it is. People can ALWAYS do better than thry are doing but only if they believe it. > > -- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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