Can I ask about someone else, my mum, as it happens in relation to thyroid function and panic attacks.?

[helbell]

If so...she is going through a bit of a crisis and her adrenaline is hitting the roof. She has a history of atrial fibrillation which, also, coincided with her first adrenaline rushes. She has also been diagnosed sub-clinical hypothyroidism for a few years now but her docs reluctant to go there with replacement...'we'll see how it goes. ..' Her history of anxiety/adrenaline surges seems to be a physical hormonal thing that takes over, especially when she is tired or stressed. The last couple of days it has gone off the scale. We have been wondering if her thyroid hormone status is perhaps not coping with stress coming from worries over imminent bowel operation and over doing it in the face of upcoming mobility restriction. Mum is 83 and otherwise very fit and active for her age. All I can identify with is my own undetected thyroid issues resulting in massive adrenaline surges before going mostly hypo ...think I still have the odd flare up. I understand we can have thyroid issues for years, and the elderly commonly have lowered thyroid function often diagnosed as everything age-related bar low thyroid.

Thanks in advance

[Scouser1]

Hello - from what I've read, people with low cortisol output release adrenaline instead, in response to stress, instead of cortisol. The problem with this is that adrenaline was only designed to be used by the body occassionally, eg. if you need to run away from a fierce dog. The body can't cope with it being released at times when cortisol should be used, eg. when the doorbell goes, or when you are getting the house ready for visitors,. This massive excess of adrenaline is possibly the reason why many of us suffer from panic attacks - the body thinks that your life is in danger and goes into overdrive.

Problems with adrenal function often go hand in hand with low thyroid function, but GPs and endocrinologists won't test for it. There are private labs you can have your adrenal function tested with, though.

[helbell in reply to Scouser1]

Thank you very much. I will talk to her about taking the saliva test. That is probably the best first step.

[Scouser1 in reply to helbell]

You are most welcome. Good luck xx

[helbell in reply to Scouser1]

xx