Iv been posting now since June when I started feeling unwell and was diagnosed with first an underactive thyroid then hashimotoes I was told my levels where dangerously low which made me understand that's why I'd been so il. I'm currently being treated for both of these but still feeling very unwell iv been referred to hospital who told me they think I have another kind of autoimmune disease . iv had one set of blood test and from those results iv been told I have low cortisol level and now been told to wait until mid Jan to go have another kind of test which I found out is for Addison disease. While I'm feeling unwell I find it extremely affecting Me when I feel upset/worried having these emotions makes me feel really poorly and tbh I just can't cope with feeling any more Ill but I just can not help panicking and worrying incase I have Addison and I'm trying to find out if the hashimotoes or underactive thyroid could of been or are a cause of this possible Addison. Does anybody have Addison if so what is it like and is it common. thankyou in advance for future comments. Sarah x
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I don't have Addison's but have gone through stage 3 cancer treatment which threw me into surgically induced early menopause and full blown chronic fatigue syndrome, where my immune system, thyroid and adrenals aren't working, so I've been seriously ill for over 2 years, making good progress, but with no end in sight.
No matter what you have, take things a day at a time. There will be good days and bad days, and it can be frustrating.
The best you can do is to be an active patient. Don't take anything at face value from your doctors. Educate yourself on the diagnostic tests, the possible results, and what can be done, both with conventional and integrative (functional) medicine.
Realize that much can fully heal if you can prevent permanent damage from being done, so be vigilant about minimizing potentially damaging treatments and consciously choose those that are backed by science and have the best chance for making you whole again.
Be good to yourself, surround yourself by people who uplift you, and nourish your body and mind for whatever may come your way.
And, once you choose a carefully considered treatment plan, give it everything you've got, even if it means doing new things or changing your lifestyle and/or diet.
However, i will say that not taking your doctor at face value is liable to piss them off or at least it can in my experience. In the states it seems like patients with a theory or difference of opinion about their health are branded as high risk or disruptive. Dont let that kind of thing stop you but just be mindful that they really dont like it.
There is no place for arrogant doctors in treating sick people. I've met a few and don't go back.
I work with doctors who listen to my symptoms, are curious, are alert for zebras instead of thinking everything's a horse, and who welcome my bringing them a list of questions and a research paper now and then.
I don't waste their time, I tell the truth, and I trust them to use all the information available to make the best decisions for me. And I follow what they tell me to do, unless I experience a problem, then diligently report back with all changes in symptoms and any clarifying questions.
But it takes being educated and earning their respect. We end up having very dense conversations and have successfully tackled some very serious, life threatening challenges in this way.
And where we've had less success, it's been due to arrogant doctors who don't listen. I've learned they're a waste of my time and money.
Hi I have addisons disease and hashimotos.ive had addisons for about 14 years and hashimotos 2-3.when I was first diagnosed with AD I had lost 3 stone in weight and was going light headed on standing also had dark skin pigments on my lips,once I was put on hydrocortisone/fludrocortisone I returned to my normal weight and had my energy back.once you are properly medicated if you do have addisons you can live a normal life.
Hashimoto's would not be caused by Addison's. However, hypothyroidism resulting from autoimmunity will put tremendous strain on the adrenals, sometimes driving them into insufficiency. Both autoimmune thyroiditis and autoimmune hypoadrenal (these can exist independent of each other) can be caused by external factors: mainly foods of which you are intolerant, and general environmental pollution.
My favorite youtube video on the subject of autoimmunity is Tom O'Bryan talking about The Autoimmune Fix. Also there are some good youtube videos by Kent Holtorf (holtorfmed.com). Consider what O'Bryan says: gluten, soy, yeast, dairy are the main dietary offenders, and there is a new testing system which can diagnose most autoimmunities in one sweep.
I don't have Addison's. However I have had hypoadrenalism and it is uncomfortable. Most MDs (even endos) are reluctant to treat hypoadrenal. Keep in mind that Jefferies published a landmark book about 40 years ago titled "The Safe Uses of Cortisol". You can supplement with hydrocortisone, up to 20mg daily, quite safely -- but you may not get any help from allopathic docs to do this. Allopaths also don't like to do the multiple-sample saliva test for cortisol ... although that is the only convenient way I know of, to diagnose problems with cortisol amount and rhythm.
Did the doc who diagnosed you with low cortisol, use a single-sample blood test? If so, that is not very accurate. If your doc won't do a saliva test, you could ask for a 24-hour urine test for cortisol, which will at least tell you how much cortisol you are producing over 24 hours, which is useful info. If you decide to use that test, just remember that the "normal" range is ridiculously broad, just like so many "normal" ranges provided by labs.
I'm on 30mg hydrocortisone daily. Some people can take more, depending on the stress load on the body.
I've found that without it, I don't function. And, if I'm taking too much, I rapidly start gaining weight, especially around my waist.
The 24 hr cortisol test was useful in figuring out when to take it. Turns out I make cortisol from 4-7am, but crash after that.
So, what works for me is to get a big bottle of 5mg capsules, and take 2 at 730am, 2 at 11am and 1-2 at 2pm and maybe 1 at 5pm if I'm going out for the evening.
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