TCM: Body Typing Systems: Western Glandular System

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In the West, the three basic body types are named according to the apparent strength of the various endocrine glands ( ie. Adrenal type, Pituitary type or Thyroid type ). This classification system is based upon extensive studies of the effects of excess and deficient amounts of hormones from the respective glands ( 15 ). For instance, an "Adrenal type" of person ( ie. strong adrenal glands ) has the same type of features as are caused either by taking excess adrenal hormones over a long period of time, or that result from diseases which cause excessive levels of these hormones ( 15 ). Fundamental to this classification system is the variable size of endocrine glands in different persons.

It is well known, especially through the work of the distinguished American scientist, Roger Williams ( 16 ), that the size and weight of endocrine glands vary enormously from person to person. Adrenal glands, for instance, were reported to vary in weight from 7 to 20 grams in normal adults while the thickness of the gland varied from 0.5 to 5.00 mm, or a tenfold variation ( 16 ). This variation, according to Williams, would also be expected to result in a tenfold variation of adrenal activity. A separate study reported the case of a patient, who eventually died from adrenal failure, who was found, at autopsy, to have, no recognisable adrenal gland ( he had some adrenal "tissue" ).

When it comes to the actual production of adrenal hormones, Williams emphasises the fact that not only does the total production of these hormones vary significantly between different persons, but additionally, the variation in individual adrenal hormones is much greater ( 16 ). Production of hydrocortisone for instance, has been shown to vary tenfold in normal healthy males. As is noted by Williams, if "unhealthy" persons were included in these studies, such variations would have been much greater.

Similarly, while the weight of normal thyroid glands was reported by Williams to vary from 8 to 50 grams, other studies have also reported a wide variation in thyroid activity in "normal" persons, including a fivefold variation in the levels of protein-bound iodine ( 16 ). Differences in thyroid function are also illustrated by examining the incidence of goitre in areas where iodine levels in the soil are so low that iodine deficiency goitre is endemic ( 17 ). Such studies reveal that there are many individuals in these areas whose thyroid function is unaffected by this deficiency ( 16 ). Conversely, in areas where there is no iodine deficiency, this deficiency disease still occurs ( 16 ).