Related article: Palliative vs. curative treatments
Due to the nature of chronic disease, it is common for male patients suffering from chronic diseases to have low levels of the male hormones.
When supplemented, all of the steroid hormones, including the male hormones, have the capacity to interfere with the proper function of various nuclear receptors. This effect is dose-dependent. Marshall Protocol (MP) patients are advised to work with their doctor to use the lowest dose of medication that is effective.
Main article: Hormone and pro-hormone therapy
Related article: Palliative vs. curative treatments
Due to the nature of chronic disease, it is common for patients suffering from chronic diseases to have low levels of hormones. This is often due to high levels of the vitamin D metabolite 1,25-D which interferes with the production of hormones such as T3, testosterone, etc. Because the vitamin D system is dysregulated in chronically ill patients, supplementing with other hormones tends to further dysregulate the receptors rather than increase hormonal expression. Thus, hormone supplementation is contraindicated. If the patient is already on hormone “replacement” therapy, judicious use of low-dose hormone therapy (to relieve intolerable symptoms) may be necessary until the patient is able to wean from the hormones.
Marshall Protocol (MP) patients are advised to work with their doctor to use the lowest dose of medication that is effective.
As patients begin to kill the Th1 pathogens causing their disease, vitamin D metabolism restabilizes and 1,25-D's effects on hormonal stabilization becomes less of an issue. Once this happens, there is no longer a need to take extra hormone supplements, and patients can then wean off their steroids.
A steroid hormone from the androgen group, testosterone is the principal male sex hormone and an anabolic steroid. In mammals, testosterone is primarily secreted in the testes of males and the ovaries of females, although small amounts are also secreted by the adrenal glands.
Testosterone is one of the nuclear hormones, which make up the delicate balance of Type 1 nuclear receptor activators which govern gene transcription for most of the body's antimicrobial peptides, and many of the key proteins. Testosterone activates the Androgen Nuclear Receptor, which is responsible for transcribing the DNA of many of the genes which give rise to antimicrobial peptides, the body's defense against pathogens.
Supplementation with testosterone is generally contraindicated.
Testosterone is an immunosuppressive steroid that forms one of the interplay of hormones which set up the delicate balance between the Nuclear Receptors which allows your body, and immune system, to transcribe genes, and function correctly. As your body continues to heal, the testosterone will get back to its level in a 'healthy' person. You don't want to be supplementing any of the hormones, in the same way that it is pointless trying to force-fit the Vitamin D hormone into your body.
Trevor Marshall, PhD
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a hormonal steroid, the production of which is controlled by the Vitamin D Receptor.1) DHEA is available as an over-the-counter supplement in some locations. Taking DHEA supplements directly affects the operation of the nuclear receptors and will delay or prevent recovery from Th1 disease.
DHEA has actions very similar to corticosteroids, like Prednisone. Although it is palliative, and reduces immunopathology, it does that at the cost of slowing recovery and increasing the risk of complications from steroid use.
Trevor Marshall, PhD
For this reason, Marshall Protocol patients are advised to wean from the use of DHEA in the same way they might wean from corticosteroids.
According to my most recent lab test, the DHEA has almost returned to “normal.” I think the normalization of my DHEA blood test over my time on the MP is consistent with this second point and further evidence of my progress.
Carol