Coping with weight gain and secondary hypothyroidism?

[mikee5]

Ever since my adrenal crisis, I have gained approximately 50-60 lbs. I am not able to exercise due to my sensitive and depleted cortisol levels, I'm experiencing blood sugar fluctuations and I'm generally feeling very fatigued and unmotivated. I'm also certain the hypothyroidism induced by my adrenal fatigue is also contributing towards this weight gain and impaired metabolism. I can't reduce calories (which are only 1800-2000 a day and I'm a young male). I am visibly gaining fat and feeling increasingly self-conscious and depressed. It's pretty dismal. I just don't know where to go from here.

[Clutter]

Mikee5, it will help members advise if you can post thyroid results and ranges (figures in brackets after results) so we can see whether you are optimally medicated. If you have cortisol, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate results post them too.

[mikee5 in reply to Clutter]

I took my last thyroid results last year which I wrote about here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

And more recently in better detail here: healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

A saliva test I took a few months ago: fs1.directupload.net/images...

I also recently had a conventional NHS blood test done, indicating normal or 'optimal' levels. I assume these include all the essential minerals and vitamins.

I react quite aggressively to most medication or supplementation, it definitely aggravates my symptoms, especially hormonal support (like DHEA, T4 etc.). These are possibly linked to cortisol levels (indicated as only slightly disturbed in the test posted above), an impaired HPA axis or weak receptors/neurotransmitters. Not sure though.

[Clutter in reply to mikee5]

Mike, Where are the more recent NHS results and ranges? The thyroid results you posted above are 10 months old.

[foxglove]

How did you know you had an adrenal crisis?

[mikee5 in reply to foxglove]

Reflecting on the symptoms I experienced shortly after committing to a low carb diet stint paired with *chronic* exercise, I can conclude that it was likely an adrenal crisis that needed urgent medical attention. However, I did not know what was happening to me and I blindly followed the advice of many low carb 'experts' who strung me along and claimed that it was the simple process of 'fat adaptation' (transitioning from utilising fats instead of carbohydrates/glucose as your main source of fuel, a hypothesis based on pseudo-science and poor research parroted as a marketing ploy).

I experienced quite a unique neurological event in my body and was bedridden for months. My blood sugar and cortisol levels were debilitating and my symptoms had impaired my cognition and left me feeling 'drugged' for at least a year. Precisely all the symptoms of an adrenal crisis. I'm surprised I recovered.

[foxglove]

So pleased you recovered. Thanks for reply and you're doing ok now. Advertising has a lot to answer for , very clever and even those who should know better often fall victim. Good luck