I see from your other posts you are (or were) taking adrenal support. Are you taking it to correct an adrenal problem shown up by testing previously and your new levels are the result of that supplementing? Are you taking the correct type of supplement?
Generally GPs don't take any notice of these Genova adrenal tests, they like their own done at hospital but they don't give a picture over 24 hours.
I don't particularly know of any doctor that can help (Dr Myhill is not taking on any new patients, hasn't for a few years now), but you could google Adrenal Specialist or Hormone Specialist and see what comes up.
The high cortisol results are for a relative of mine. Thanks for the links, shame Dr Myhill isn't taking on new patients she seems passionate about good health care.
Thanks for noticing, I have low cortisol and I'm doing fairly well on adrenal support and gradually improving. Energy levels are improving but my anxiety is still high.
Ah right, I'm glad you're doing OK, good to hear (I was a bit worried you were taking the wrong thing and made yourself worse!)
As for your relative, they're all over range but not massively so, I'm guessing it follows the normal 'curve' except for sample 3?? I'm much better with pictures
It looks like there's a need for something to bring the high levels down. Is there an element of stress as that's usually a culprit where there's high cortisol.
I'm on adaptogenic herbs as I have the first three samples at the top of the range (but not over range) and the fourth sample nicely in the middle of range. It may be worth looking into adaptogens, not sure which are best as mine is a combination of three and I'm not as bad as the results for your relative.
Thanks for the kind words. I'm concerned about my relative. Do the adaptogens give the adrenals a rest or do they fix the problem after it has happened. If adrenals are producing high amounts of cortisol eventually they will tire and go into adrenal fatigue. Stress is an isssue but could low estrogen affect cortisol?
You may be interested in this, about the connection between the adrenals and thyroid hormones. There are lost of other interesting articles on Dr. Lam's website.
Unfortunately neither list says "This raises cortisol" and "That lowers cortisol", so any that your relative is taking will have to be researched to see if they raise or lower cortisol.
If any of the things being taken raise cortisol and are optional then perhaps an alternative could be found, but it isn't always possible.
For example, I have high cortisol (or did the last time it was measured) and one of the things that I take that raises it is 5-HTP. I don't consider it optional so I carry on taking it anyway.
Lowering high cortisol is actually quite difficult. I can't say I have come across any fanfares from anyone saying "Woohoo, my cortisol was high and now it is normal."
The things which help some people are Holy Basil supplements. Take one tablet/capsule about an hour before a high cortisol reading. I would start on one and only build up if they are tolerated. I drink Holy Basil teabags quite often. Holy Basil is also known as Tulsi, and I buy Pukka Three Tulsi teabags.
Another possibility is phosphatidyl serine (PS). I've never taken PS myself, but it is very popular.
One thing to be aware of is that stress raises cortisol. Everyone thinks of stress in terms of having a difficult boss, or more work that they can handle, or not sleeping well. All of that has an impact, but there are other forms of stress besides mental stress.
Physical and physiological stress has an impact on cortisol too. I have found my stress has reduced since I made major improvements in my nutrient levels by supplementing. Look into the major ones like iron, vitamin B12, folate, vitamin D that are all essential for thyroid function. Also look into things like vitamin A, selenium, zinc, magnesium.
Not exercising enough or exercising too much is stressful. Not sleeping enough is also stressful.
Low thyroid function causes increases in cortisol, because it is the body's substitute for thyroid hormone when there isn't enough of it.
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