Adrenal Cortex for PMR

[espolj]

Has anyone tried Adrenal Cortex for their PMR. I have been trying to taper down from Methylprednisolone and I was suggested to use Adrenal Cortex because it picks up where your Adrenal Glands don't produce Cortisol? I also have Hypothyroidism and am taking Synthroid for that. Will the Adrenal Cortex counteract with the thyroid medication?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My immediate response was "What's adrenal cortex?" - other than it is than the central part of your adrenal glands. Having looked it up - my second response is that you shouldn't waste your money. Yes, I know there are loads of people who swear it works - but there is absolutely no medical or scientific backing for it.

It is like any supplement - not monitored by any regulatory authority and as a result there is no guarantee that what is in it is what they claim. Nor are there any tests which will show that it is uncontaminated and it is something extracted from animals which may be infected with various things.

Read this

quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRe...

about it.

It is unlikely to make any difference to your PMR. The question about your reduction of methyl pred is

1) are you trying to go to a dose which isn't enough to manage the PMR symptoms because the underlying autoimmune disorder is still too active or

2) are you trying to reduce in too big steps?

Follow this link and read the reduction scheme there.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

It has helped many patients on the forums to reduce further and more easily than before. It is free and has no side effects. Try that first and see how you get on. But I still wouldn't take an unmonitored and unregulated supplement.

[piglette]

Espolj, who suggested using Adrenal Cortex? What experience do they have medically? My grandmother took it many many years ago for reduced adrenal activity, but things have changed over the years. Also theoretically CJD could be contracted as cow parts are used. Although the chances of getting CJD are probably pretty low I should imagine. Also if you take supplements such as ACE and then stop you may find your adrenal glands stop working altogether, which would be disastrous. As you can probably tell I would not use Adrenal Cortex supplements.