Endo adding 2.5 mcgs of hydrocortisone to T4 an... - Thyroid UK

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Endo adding 2.5 mcgs of hydrocortisone to T4 and T3 - just need reassurance.

11 Replies

My endo has decided to add a low dose of Hydrocortisone 2.5 mcgs to my thyroid treatment because my cortisol seems a bit low and we are struggling with over stimulation symptoms even though I am well within range.

I'm central hypothyroid.

There may be an element of partial ACTH deficiency now as my ACTH blood test was a bit on the low side.

I'm getting myself in knots about adding this. Just really worried about taking it. Does anyone have any advice.

Thanks as usual.

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11 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

This seems to be a good explanation of why such a medication should be added whilst hypo.

However, I think I would take hormones at the same time as usual and take the hydrocortisone apart - just as a precaution that it might interfere with the uptake of hormones.

thyroid-info.com/articles/s...

in reply toshaws

Thank you Shaw's. Some good info there.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toshaws

What do you mean by 'apart', shaws? HC should not be taken after 1.0 pm. And is best taken on first waking, because that's the busiest time for the adrenals. The HC just gives them a helping hand at their busiest time, so no point in taking it at lunchtime.

Hidden , when did the endo tell you to take the HC? I always took my HC first thing in the morning (and, as I had a higher dose, also took some at lunchtime) and took my thyroid hormone at night. That way, no conflict. :)

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply togreygoose

I don't know anything about HC GG but thanks for pointing it out. I just thought it should be taken apart.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply toshaws

Good idea to take them apart, but the HC has to be taken at the right time if it's going to do any good. The best thing to do is take thyroid hormone at night, so that the HC can be taken in the morning.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply togreygoose

Thank you GG. It's good learn - and will do my best to remember. :)

Endo has told me to take it in the morning. He has said it's just to give me a helping hand.

It probably won't be forever.

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56

Hidden , shaws has mentioned taking them apart. My son takes his T4 at 7 am and his Hydrocortisone with his breakfast at least an hour later. He has another smaller dose of Hydrocortisone at 4pm with a snack. His morning dose is 15 mg and his afternoon dose is 5 mg. My son has Hypopituitarism with Septo-Optic Dysplasia. Sometimes Hydrocortisone is split three times a day, but I guess it depends on the circumstances.

in reply tonightingale-56

Thank you j_bee, that's very helpful.

Is your son doing ok?

Does your son have all his hormones missing - panhypopituitarism ? Or is just selective ones ?

X

nightingale-56 profile image
nightingale-56 in reply to

Hidden , it has never been called panhypopituitarism, but, yes, he has all his hormones very low and was on HGH to begin with. at the age of 8 he was on Synthetic Growth Hormone until the age of 19 when full growth had been determined for him. He is reasonably well at the moment apart from the change of Goldshield Eltroxin Levothyroxine to Mercury Pharma. He is now on Actavis.

VulpusVulpus profile image
VulpusVulpus

I read that because HC has a short half life, it can be split into doses up to x4 a day.

Prednisolone has a much longer half life so can be taken all at once.

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