Adrenal supplement prior to thyroxine. Did this work for you?

[misha008]

I'm thinking of taking making my adrenal system stronger before taking my thyroxine for the first time. (I am making an assumption that I have this as I don't handle stress very well any more). I'm also basing this on the reading of Dr Peatfield's book. At the same time I'll start taking some of the supplements that I need - slowly. I thought I'd do this for a couple of weeks and then start thyroxine.

My question is do you have to be diagnosed with adrenal problems and have them checked before you start taking Adrenal glandulars (is that what they're called?). Are there any side effects that I should be aware of?

I'd like to give the Levo the best chance of working well.

[puncturedbicycle]

Tbh I'd get on the levo and see where you are. I don't think there's any reason why you can't take adrenal supps alongside levo - ? Idk what your results are like, but from experience I can tell you that being low on thyroid hormone won't help your stress response.

I had adrenal probs and took adrenal support and it didn't change anything (test results still came back the same) but I'm glad I didn't delay meds further because that was where I was able to see some success.

[SAMBS]

Hi Misha008 - I can't answer specifically on your questions but what I would suggest is you go to drugs.co.uk and check out all the prescribed medications you are on plus what you are apparently about to take. You'll learn about the meds, side effects, if any, of each one and/or if they may counteract against each other. Forewarned is forearmed!

If you've been prescribed Thyroxine there's obviouslŷ a good reason - are you Hyper or Hypo Thyroid?

That will help others more knowledgeable than me respond. Did you ask your Doctor about supplementing your adrenals first. A quick phone call to your Doctor may elicit a yes or no from him/her!

Please take care about adding and taking things off your own back, just in case you don't need to! You could make matters worse not better!

I'm not medically qualified, but my own research has taught me a lot about my health.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to SAMBS]

I've yet to meet a conventional gp who will have anything to do w adrenal issues short of Cushing's/Addison's. Adrenal fatigue/exhaustion is a dog-whistle phrase in the complementary/holistic world.

[108Optimist]

If you have stress hormones that are eg too high first thing in morning and night but bottom out rest of day, then be wise about when you take the meds. A stimulant on top of high stress can make things worse.

Inability to handle stress is indicative of high or low or both high and low stress hormones.

A friend of mine healed her thyroid completely by only targeting adrenal health. ...she had a super stressful job in emergency services.

Other people feel stressed because they are hyperthyroidism.

Others because they are hypothyroid and cannot cope with life.

It sounds like you intuitively want to treat adrenals first? Either way whatever you do, glandulars canbe strong and you'll soon know if they are right for you!

I'm sure you already know that if you are hypothyroid and adrenals down, then meds for thyroid will make you feel another level of nasty.

Good luck 😀

[misha008 in reply to 108Optimist]

thanks. I'm going by Dr Peatfield's recommendation which seems logical, i.e. treat adrenals first. But, what happens with glandulars if they are too strong? How does the body react?

[108Optimist in reply to misha008]

If you dont need them then you could feel worse. Think about typical stress symptoms (similar to hyperthyroid!)......anxiety, racing heart, quickened respiration, feeling flighty, possibly diarhea. It also depends on what else is going on in your body. From my experience with glandulars, start slow, monitor symptom relief or addition, energy levels, sleep, digestion etc. Build up slowly to give your body the time it needs to recall how to use these new substances. Go well, hope iy all goes easily for you !X

[milupa]

Hi Misha008 -

it might be a good idea to get a saliva cortisol test done first. It is difficult to 'feel' whether symptoms stem from high or low cortisol.

Also, once you are on any type of adrenal support test results won't show the true picture.

There are methods, supplements and meds to adress low as well as high stress hormone levels and, as always, trial and error as to what works for you: Most so called adaptogens are suitable for high cortisol, not low. Liquorice 'extends' the existing cortisol, but can raise blood pressure. Adrenal cortex (adrenal extract without adrenaline) is supposed to raise the available cortisol levels. Mindfulness, gentle (!) exercise, regular sleep/wake times may help to avoid sliding further into adrenal fatigue.

I think unless your adrenal problems are very bad you should start treating your thyroid, add supplements as needed and read and research to be ready for the next steps.

[misha008 in reply to milupa]

That's sound advice, thanks Milupa. I think I am scared to take thyroxine for some reason (trying to get control back by planning an approach before taking it). I hate the idea of a life long tablet.

[milupa in reply to misha008]

Hi Misha -

I just read your previous posts. I hope it's ok to respond from my personal experience, it all sounds so familiar to me...

I really would not worry about taking the Levo 'forever'. When given prescription medicine for a symptom i. e. high cholesterol I am all for trying lifestyle/diet adjustments first. But in this case you are replacing a hormone your body cannot produce in sufficient amounts. The correct replacement dose (which will take a while to establish) will alao quieten down the Hashimoto's.

I remember the Hashi swings. Not knowing what it was I welcomed the sudden weight loss and increased energy and dreaded the slowing down, fattening up and constipation that inevitably followed. This roller coaster plus a huge stress load depleted my adrenals...

Now, at 51, I have decent hair for the first time in my life because my thyroid, diet, supplements, adrenals and digestion are finally at a better (not perfect) level. The hairloss over the decades was soul destroying!

Iron is important and Solgar Gentle Iron is good if constipation is already an issue.

Going gluten free made a huge difference to skin and digestion. Low cortisol is also involved in food sensitivities and digestion problems, it may lead to paradoxal reaction to meds and supplements.

Try to get your ducks in a row before menopause hits. I didn't and feel I am starting over now that all hormones are going haywire.

I hope something in my long reply helps in your quest to get better!

[misha008 in reply to milupa]

Hi Milupa, thanks so much for taking the time to provide such a useful and open reply. I still have to adjust to the idea that Levo is a top up of hormone rather than a medicine. I know it's true, but finding it a little hard to accept.

I've already lost so much of my hair that I'd given up on it ever coming back. Just worked out ways to hide the loss. Add the weight increase over x amount of years and I can't help feel unattractive. Now that I've read that Levo can add to the weight and contribute to even more hair loss, that's just really difficult to deal with and perhaps another reason for avoidance, which is ridiculous I know.

Right now, I've lost a bit of weight which I haven't for a long, long while. So is that the Hashi swing? I'm off my food and have indigestion when I do eat anything however small. Bit anxious as well - but maybe because I've just found out about this? Who knows.

Reading more, it does seem that a) Everyone's experience is different, so no-one knows how someone will respond to Levo and b) Can't put this off, should take it and then it's a matter of trial and error to get it right. Lastly I need to add c) It may be a positive experience and I may feel better sooner rather than later. I'm working on this last point!

I hadn't even factored in Menopause.

Your reply has been so helpful.

thanks again