What Are We Missing? The Role of Sex Hormones in Autoimmunity: PANS/PANDAS, Chronic Lyme, Long-Haul Covid, Mast Cell, Chronic Fatigue, POTS & CIRS

As described by my previous articles and books, Healing Without Hurting and Brain Under Attack, PANS/PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders) is an autoimmune condition affecting our youngest population. PANS is associated with unresolved infections such as Streptococcus, Lyme Disease, COVID-19, Epstein-Barr virus, and other triggers such as mold and other toxins. Experts believe the condition is caused by a problem with the immune system's response to these triggers. These illnesses attack the brain's basal ganglia, causing severe thought malfunctions and maladaptive behavior.

These pathogens wreak havoc on the immune and neurological system, causing brain encephalitis/inflammation.  In addition, high histamines and the excitotoxin glutamates also play a role. Some other overlapping diagnoses we now see in children, as well as adults, are long-haul covid, mast cell activation (MCA), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and chronic inflammatory response syndrome (CIRS).

My daughter Elaina's PANS/PANDAS story started as a young child. Sleep issues, terrible separation anxiety, mood problems, tummy aches, food intolerances, all soft signs something was brewing. At age 9, she developed scary psychiatric symptoms after contracting a Strep infection. At which time, we treated her with one round of antibiotics, and then holistically with herbs, homeopathy, and immune boosting remedies. Her symptoms disappeared, and she lived the following five years without an issue.  At the age of 14, her symptoms returned with a vengeance one month following a COVID-19 infection. We then went down the rabbit hole and tested her for everything under the sun. Covid-19 appears to “wake up” dormant pathogens. When tested, she lit up for everything, including crazy COVID spikes despite being unvaccinated for COVID-19, Lyme, Bartonella, and other tick-borne illnesses. She also tested positive for mycotoxins from mold.

We had been to multiple practitioners and doctors and became so distraught when her symptoms intensified. My precious A+ student couldn't sleep; her brain fog was insane, and she was suffering from chronic fatigue, joint pain, tics, appetite issues, neuropathy, burning headaches, OCD, and wild mood swings. Her blood work also showed insulin resistance. She was experiencing a fast heart rate and dizzy spells. Some days, she said that she felt like she was dying.

We treated many of her underlying triggers and illnesses for years with the help of many naturopathic physicians and holistic providers. At points, we felt we were playing whack-a-mole. Symptoms would wax and wane. We then sought help from a well-respected gastroenterologist, DO, who worked on her gut health and provided peptides and other helpful remedies. Her practice also offers IV ozone therapy and extracorporeal ozone (EBOO). These treatments were a game-changer by lessening the toxic container. It helped remove pathogens, heavy metals, spike proteins, mold, and biofilm. Her symptoms were improving, but she felt that she was feeling about 80% better.  She continued to have good days and bad. In the back of my mind, I noticed the timing of her flares and thought it could be connected to her menstrual cycle. Ignoring my initial instincts a bit because I felt we were fighting the more enormous beasts that needed our attention.

Damn! I now believe we were ignoring one of the most essential facets of her condition. What we discovered was right under our noses.  After three years of treatments, more extensive bloodwork confirmed what I was thinking all along: HORMONES.  Her progesterone was ZERO mid-menstrual cycles, worse than most menopausal women. After one month of treatment with oral bioidentical progesterone, most symptoms were gone. No more brain fog, joint pain, or sleepless nights. No more dizziness, no more crazy moods, no more POTS symptoms, nor chronic headaches. Her blood sugar issues were improving. No more psychiatric PANS symptoms. I had no idea the body's progesterone regulates the immune response of males and females. I quickly discovered one main problem often missed by much of the medical community is rooted in sex hormone dysregulation. Namely progesterone and estrogen. Even in our youngest kids.

Sadly, sex hormones are rarely discussed outside of sex-related symptoms and reproductive health, even though these hormonal imbalances can lead to an array of health issues and symptoms. Dysregulated sex hormones can lead to blood sugar issues, sleep disturbances, brain fog, joint pain, mood swings, chronic fatigue, chronic headaches, and, ultimately, autoimmune conditions.

Low progesterone in men and women can lead to the inability to fight infections and pathogens. When researched, there is substantial and mounting evidence that sex hormones regulate many things in the body. They have many essential health effects, including their mechanism for controlling the immune system. The Journal of Mucosal Immunology states, "Progesterone-based compounds affect immune responses and susceptibility to infections at diverse mucosal sites."

Sex hormones exert a broad range of modulation of immune cell functions. The immune system can also impact hormone production and function, demonstrating a complex immune-endocrine system interaction.

Progesterone is also essential for impacting the glutamate receptors, GABA (calming amino acid), neurotransmitter release, and neuronal excitability often seen in Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis; PANS/PANDAS. In fact. "Sex hormones, particularly estrogen and progesterone, have neuroprotective effects and can influence brain function and recovery after conditions like encephalitis."

Estrogen influences B cell function and T cell responses, while androgens can have immunosuppressive effects. The neuroendocrine system releases hormones critical for immune cell communication and regulation, affecting inflammation and cytokine activity. B cells in our body yell "fire-fire" when bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi, pesticides, carcinogens, mycotoxins, heavy metals & endocrine disruptors are attacking the body. T cells are supposed to swoop in as the "firefighter" to help the body fight these invaders. When we have too many B cells and insufficient T cells, the body can't fight, leading to "brain under attack – brain on fire." If estrogen is dysregulated, it can affect the body's B and T cell responses.

What is causing these adverse effects to our Endocrine Systems?

• Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) microplastics can mimic or block the effects of natural hormones, disrupt hormone production, or interfere with hormone receptors.

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in some plastics and food cans, and phthalates are used in plastics and personal care products. 


• Pesticides & Glyphosate are used in agriculture. 


• Dioxins and PCBs: Industrial pollutants. 


• Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) "Forever chemicals" that are persistent in the environment. 


• Brominated flame retardants (BFRs): Used in electronics and textiles. 

• Parabens are used as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products. 

• Perchlorate: A chemical that can interfere with thyroid function.

• Mold toxicity can lead to imbalances of estrogen and progesterone.

• Excessive dairy consumption can influence hormone levels and potentially cause imbalances. They contain hormones, including estrogen and insulin-like growth factor-1, which can interfere with the body's natural hormonal balance.

• Lyme Disease, Covid, and other infections. Further research is needed to evaluate the association between thyroid conditions and endocrine disruption following vaccinations.

• Poorly investigated, radiation can have a severe impact on hormone regulation.

• Stress and Emotional Trauma can significantly impact the endocrine system by affecting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, causing the overproduction of cortisol and other stress hormones.

What can we do about this?

It can seem extremely overwhelming as we continue to live in a toxic world overburdened by stress. It can feel that the rabbit hole is endless. How can we empty our toxic load bucket to improve our endocrine health and regulate hormone production and balance? Talk to your physicians and practitioners to address these potential issues.

• Address Gut Health

• Clear Infections and reduce inflammation in the body

• Detox heavy metal and other toxins. First, supporting the gut, digestive system, and detoxification channels in the body

• Support the Thyroid

• Support the Pituitary gland

• Support the Ovaries or Testicles

• Support our Adrenal gland

• Address Mast Cell Activation

• Lower Stress Levels

• Investigate potential pituitary nodules or corpus luteum ovarian cysts, if blood work warrants a more significant workup.

I also recommend seeking help from skilled physicians and Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners who utilize a variety of methods, such as acupuncture, dietary lifestyle, herbal remedies, and homeopathy, to help regulate the endocrine system, reduce stress, open detox channels, and address imbalances of Chi. For example, an imbalance of the fire element may result in metabolic disorders, viral disease, and mental ailments. The organ meridians associated with the fire element are the small intestine, heart, thyroid, adrenals, prostate, testicles, ovaries, uterus, and pituitary.

In addition, do not underestimate the benefit of journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and psychotherapy. Treatments such as IFS or EMDR can help address trauma, and the emotional component. Energy medicine professionals can also be worth their weight in gold. Cranial sacral therapists, systemic constellations facilitators, reiki practitioners, and energy chiropractors work within your energetic field to help your health and well-being.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be a solution.

At some point, you or your child deserves your life back. So, sometimes a BANDAID is ok. Until the underlying triggers can be resolved, it means giving the body what it needs. I prefer more natural alternatives to synthetic hormones. For example, many will apply wild yam cream to their body during the month. A compounding pharmacy may use wild yam extract, specifically a compound called diosgenin, as the starting point for creating bioidentical progesterone, creating progesterone with the same molecular structure as the progesterone produced naturally in the body.

Talking with others who seek help from allopathic physicians and endocrinologists, they typically prescribe birth control pills to help regulate sex hormones by providing a consistent dose of synthetic hormones or an IUD centralized to the uterus so hormones do not go into the bloodstream.

A newer discovery that I hope helps you too.

Who knew the importance of the endocrine system on immune health? While treating PANS, and these related conditions who knew that sex hormones would play such a crucial role? When the body is overloaded, the system cannot operate as intended. By exploring the multifaceted roles of sex hormones, we can better understand the intricate mechanisms driving our well-being. Adopting a holistic approach to health can bring our bodies back into harmony.

Learn more about my family's healing journey (including everything that has worked for me and many clients) in my book Healing Without Hurting. To receive more info on how you and your family can overcome ADHD, apraxia, anxiety, and more without medication, SIGN UP HERE