Here's a real-life example of an LLMD trying to figure out what's going on with a serious hormone problem.

Like many male Lyme patients, my testosterone fell to the bottom of the range. Then in January it was retested and was clinically deficient for all age ranges.

So they ran tests on the precursor hormones from the hypothalamus. If these had been higher than normal, it would have suggested that my testes might be the problem, with my hypothalamus secreting more signals to try to force testosterone production. Instead, the precursors came back low, which suggests a problem in the brain.

The good news I hear from LLMDs is that hormones often will return to normal when Lyme is effectively treated. This suggests that often the mechanism for disrupting hormones is reversible. That doesn't mean you don't treat the hormone abnormality, but does mean that monitoring is very important, since levels may shift back toward normal, requiring that hormone replacement doses be reduced.

There is a lot more to this, I've really just scratched the surface using my own example because its what I know best.

Another factor is probably inflammation or hypoperfusion of hormone-producing tissues, leading to poor function of those tissues.

And as Paul says, any dysfunction of the hypothalamus will produce instant endocrine chaos - the hypothalamus produces more than one of the master hormones that order around the other endocrine tissues.

Personally I dont worry too much about damage - for me even the most stunning dysfunctions are merely temporary. For a few weeks last summer I couldnt concentrate well enough to understand casual conversation; now I read papers about molecular apoptotis signaling all day (tho I am still sick as hell).

Heavy, heavy periods which led to severe iron deficiency anemia. The doctor (upon doing a uterine ablation) could find no cause (like a fibroid or a polyp) for the heavy periods. Hormone problems related to lyme? Who knows? I hope to ask a lyme doc that next week.

In December and January I had horrible PMS...the December one felt like I had taken 4 benadryls a day...very, very tired and lethargic. This went on for about 2 weeks. A couple of days after my period started I became normal again.

In January I got very weepy before my period. Way out of character for me.

My gynocologist would not check my hormone levels (she said there is no such accurate test).

I did start on a very low dose hormone pill, and have felt much better the last two menstrual cycles.

So...whether lyme caused this, I don't know. I will ask the lyme doc this next week.

Magnesium is rapidly depleted in Lyme disease according to doctors at a cancer hospital in Romania (abstract). Do the math...look at the Mg levels before and after treatment...figure the % decrease. It is, as they say, VERY SIGNIFICANT.

It spirals downward. I'm trying hard to help you prevent this downward spiral.

P.S. I believe the body is capable of incredible healing. Not only stopping disease, but in many instances, reversing the damage. Mg is capable of DNA REPAIR..that info. (in the mdschoice website) blew me away.

Never lose hope!

[This message has been edited by pq (edited 25 March 2005).]