Adrenals?

[snowinok]

I just read this:

Adrenal fatigue refers to a collection of symptoms that result when the adrenal glands function below the necessary level. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys and are primarily responsible for governing the body's response to stress. As its name implies, the main symptom of adrenal fatigue is persistent fatigue that is not relieved by sleep.

Other common symptoms of low adrenal function include:

Difficulty getting up in the morning

Cravings for salty or sweet snacks

Struggling to keep up with life's daily demands

Difficulty bouncing back from illness or stress

Decreased memory

Difficulty focusing

Moodiness/decreased tolerance for others

Decreased sex drive

Well this is exactly how I feel, however I thought that Hypotyroidism would produce those symptoms.

So is this a case of the proverbial "chicken or the egg" scenario?

Elaine x

[rosetrees]

That's part of the problem snowinok, adrenal and thyroid problems have similar symptoms. Which is why testing is so important to work out what is really going on. I had the saliva cortisol test done by Genova labs. Instructions on how to order via the thyroiduk website are here thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

It's very possible to have both thyroid and adrenal problems. I have both (plus I've just found out that my kidney function is below the bottom of the range).

Are you on thyroid meds? If you are, they can't work effectively if your adrenals are struggling. Do you have Dr Peatfield's book, Your Thyroid and How To Keep It Healthy? You can buy it from Amazon as a paperback or as a Kindle download. Another helpful book is "Stop the thyroid madness". Both books have a lot about adrenals and their relationship to thyroid conditions.

[snowinok in reply to rosetrees]

Thank you for your reply Rosetrees.

I had been on levo for years then when we moved to the US I was put on Synthroid two years ago.

But due to another move (in the US) my doctor started me on Armour...just started that today.

I still had lots of awful symptoms on Levo but my health/symptoms declined after Synthroid.

I'm looking for a reliable lab in the US to get the Adrenals tested.

Thanks again

Elaine x

[snowinok in reply to rosetrees]

Ohhh, found that Genova Diagnostics are in US too.

[brettos41011 in reply to rosetrees]

Hello Rosetrees. I've been taking Levothyroxine for nearly 20 years (also started HRT at the same time). The last 10 years have been hard. I'm exhausted the minute I get up and it gets worse throughout the day. I was unfortunately really ignorant regarding the adrenal function. My doctors have never ever mentioned the adrenals - it was only yesterday that I had reflexology that the therapist told be my adrenals were working at practically zero percent. It didn't make a lot of sense until I started to research today on the internet and found this site. Thank you for your post - I'll now learn as much as I can regarding anything to do with the Thyroid and all underlying probabilities.

[brettos41011 in reply to brettos41011]

I've just realised that you're in the States. I'm actually in England - makes it slightly harder.

[brettos41011 in reply to brettos41011]

Also, thank you to Snowinok.

[snowinok in reply to brettos41011]

It's me in the States....xx

[rosetrees in reply to brettos41011]

I'm in the UK brettos. Definitely read Dr Peatfield's book. If you can afford, it might be worth making an appointment to see him. I'm due to see him for the second time next week.

[snowinok in reply to rosetrees]

Well I looked up Genova Labs here in the US and the kits cannot be obtained by anyone other than a physician. So my next plan was going to be that as I'm visiting the UK for 2 weeks soon, I'd order the kit and do it there...not that simple either, you need a GP ID number.

So it's no test for me..xx

[Heloise in reply to snowinok]

snow, not sure since I'm in the states also but I think you can use TUK in getting the kit. Put that question on this site or look in the guidelines here.

[rosetrees in reply to snowinok]

If you read the link I posted earlier, you'll see that you put TUK as your practitioner. All the instructions are there - it's well worth having the test done, especially if you can take advantage of being in the UK anyway.

[snowinok in reply to brettos41011]

Hi Brettos...sounds a bit like my history...I got hit with peri-menopause and hypothyroidism all at the same time...also got a crohns/colitis diagnosis thrown in for good measure...(still don't think I have crohns or colitis though).

Xx

[ThyroidThora in reply to rosetrees]

Hi Rosetrees,

If your kidney function is below the bottom of the range, what does this mean? My kidney function is under the bottom of the range and my GP has told me that this is ecellent.