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Hypothalamic Suppression Cascade

Meaning

The Hypothalamic Suppression Cascade describes a sequence of inhibitory events originating in the hypothalamus that leads to the systemic downregulation of various endocrine axes, most notably the HPG (gonadal) and HPT (thyroid) axes. This cascade is typically triggered by severe physiological stress, chronic energy deficit, or extreme psychological duress, serving as a survival mechanism to conserve energy by shutting down non-essential functions like reproduction and high-level metabolism. It represents a profound, centrally driven failure in endocrine regulation.