Low Cortisol/adrenals

[linda65]

Has anybody experience of low cortisol/ adrenal symptoms? I think that might be my problem, but it would be good to check out with you guys!

Thanks Linda

[Hidden]

linda,

Many members suffer from high/low cortisol levels including myself. The thyroid and adrenal glands have intricate connections and low thyroid hormones will compromise the adrenal health.. Symptoms of cortisol problems overlap with thyroid issues and it is difficult to distinguish what condition is responsible for what.

Cortisol (helps) regulates blood sugar, immune response, BP and production of thyroid hormones (amongst many other things).

Unbalanced cortisol can decreases TSH and so lowering thyroid hormone production and inhibit T4 -T3 conversion. High cortisol can increase the conversion of T4 to RT3 inhibiting further T3 form entering the cells.

Cortisol issues can encourage low stomach acid and so many other gut issues including malabsorption of iron and nutrients.

Optimal iron, nutrients and thyroid hormones will help adrenal health but there are also tailored supplements and adaptogens known to help.

It is best to do a cortisol test so you know your cortisol pattern and can supplement accordingly.

Saliva Stress Test (test ref END01)

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Four saliva tests that measure the available "active" cortisol (& DHEA) secreted at set times over a 24 hours period. The results will allow you to see any imbalances in the daily circadian pattern so enabling use of correcting supplements to aid your adrenal health. Unfortunately this test is not generally used or recognised by GP's.

The cost is £77.00 which is a discounted price for ThyroidUK when code A42AQ is used.

Flower

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

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[linda65 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much Flower. I will do the test,but unfortunately I am on a low dose of prednisolone!

[hunny59]

Hi Linda.

I had lots of symptoms a few months ago when I started all this and my adrenals were one of the things I got tested. My cortisol, although within the good old "normal" range was down at the bottom.

Flower has given good advice above, as usual

[Hidden]

In full blown Addison's obviously the usual symptoms must be confused by underlying thyroid problems. A recent study found that those with diagnosed thyroid disease who also turned out to have Addison's had three main symptoms, fatigue, gut pain and joint pain which was not rheumatism, despite optimal treatment for their thyroid problems. I would guess that there would be a similar picture in those with less than the near total loss of adrenal function found in Addisons.

A browse in the Addisons Disease Support forums will give you some case histories. One hypoT woman reports that her main symptom was extreme joint pain, so it was hard to walk upstairs.

[linda65 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that. Just going to addisons Support. Thanks Linda