Some info on cortisol.

[Katepots]

Read an interesting article today, thought I'd post basics. Link at the bottom for whole article.

*Must get results from Saliva testing not blood.

High cortisol can block the conversion of T4 to T3, favoring conversion to RT3 and putting you further into a hypothyroid state.

Both high cortisol and low cortisol can cause problems raising NDT, first causing hyper-like symptoms from excess adrenaline, then causing too much RT3.

Treatment for high or seesawing cortisol are adaptogens like

Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, Relora, Eleuthero, Maca, Schisandra, etc. You can combine them, or take alone.

When three or more saliva tests show low people find success in using over-the-counter Adrenal Cortex (ACE). If three or more are seriously low in the ranges, they turn to prescription HC aka hydrocortisone.

If you are making too much cortisol then ACE shouldn't be used.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

[elaine2447]

I came across this link today which I found interesting goodhormonehealth.com/artic...

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

Thanks Elaine 😀

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

I thought it was interesting and slightly concerning the list of drugs that increase or decrease cortisol. Pity GP's don't know what they are prescribing. I was told to take a citalopram at 10 to 11 p.m. many years ago when I had a frozen shoulder and was very stressed about my mother. I woke up at 3 a.m. going half mental. According to the list it increases cortisol, whereas I have proved that mirtazapine suppresses as taking one for one night only was the only day I didn't feel like hell on a very tiny dose of NDT. I since read a study that was done with this anti depressant as an experiment on healthy individuals to suppress cortisol.

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

Yes GP's certainly need more information. The more I learn the more I realise what they don't know! I have friends who are GP's they care about their patients but also a huge amount is about business and making money. Interesting what I've gleaned.

That's interesting re mirtazapine. Typical that you were on something that raised your cortisol! I was put on antidepressants in my early 20's when it was post natal depression and hormone imbalance and left to rot on othem for seven years. Did nothing but harm do I weaned myself off, wouldn't ever want to go on again even if it did reduce my cortisol 😳

Rhodiola and holy basil are definitely helping.

Glad to see he says Rhodiola lowers cortisol substantially , I'm on the right track 😀

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

I'm afraid I have no confidence in them at all. Even the functional medicine lady who is a gp let me down. I have been taking holy basil twice a day and ashwagandha at lunch times. I am also going to look for some decent rhodiola with no gluten, fillers etc. I found the study but the forum it was on I have lost and they said it reduced by around 30%. I am tempted to go on a low dose again but already put all the two stone plus back on that I lost when I was so ill (probably with Graves but nobody thought to test thyroid). I did read that one of the side effects can be bone marrow depression and as I have severe osteoporosis, didn't want to make it even worse!! ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/125...

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

Oh bone marrow depression is not good. Dammit!!

I too have bone issues.

Well between us I'm sure we'll get there!! We just won't listen to the Drs 😀

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

Been looking again and found this and wondered what your thoughts were. Seem to have fairly good reviews except a couple of people said it was too strong. Also someone wrote not to take 5/6 hours before bedtime or one might not sleep!! Well I thought the idea was to reduce cortisol, particularly for those of us who are probably high all day as well as the morning. amazon.co.uk/dp/B005P0U7TY/...

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

So I take natures Answer Rhodiola Root Extract Liquid

Those tablets are 500mg whereas my drops are 100mg and mine recommend 1-2 mls

So those tablets are very strong. I'll do a bit of research in to amountsrecommended. They might be very good. Yes good reviews.

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

Ive just ordered one of these. I did notice on a one star review it gave the woman panic attacks, cant imagine how but here's hoping not amazon.co.uk/Natures-Answer...

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

There's always a one star review! Sorry late reply I'm on holiday for a week 😀

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

Have a good holiday x

[Katepots in reply to elaine2447]

Found this info.😀

rhodiolarosea.org/rhodiola-...

[elaine2447 in reply to Katepots]

Thanks for finding that. It is a bit confusing and quite complicated for my pea brain. It's funny because I found this tonight which I was going to post to you amazon.co.uk/dp/B012WPY4V6?... because it was only 200mg but then says "Standardized to 3.5% Rosavins & 2.5% Salidrosides. Highest Potency

• Increase Physical and Mental Energy. Smoother & Less Jittery than Caffeine

• Zero Fillers or Additives - 100% Pure and Natural "

That is contradictory to the article where it says to go for a ratio of 3 to 1. So despite their size, they seem even stronger.

Also in your article it says "At least when you first begin taking rhodiola rosea, you should not take it within two hours (before or after) you consume any other stimulants. This includes coffee, tea and soda pop. If after you begin your dosage you are confident it doesn’t over-stimulate you, you might be able to take a small dosage near when you drink your coffee, but be careful. For many people this may cause nervousness or make them feel jittery"

I never drink coffee or tea and when I did it was decaffeinated until I read the horrible chemicals they use to remove the caffeine so I only drink ginger tea now. I don't know if I am misreading it but it appears to imply that the rhodiola itself can over stimulate you and I thought the whole point was to reduce cortisol which surely would reduce the possibility of over stimulating and cause nervousness. So now I am a little worried as I am anxious and jittery a lot of the time although I think I feel a little better with the ashwagandha and holy basil although I read the latter is for combating old age, ha ha, so there is not much chance of it doing that. I have so many things wrong me with that I get waves of despair and what the future holds with the osteoporosis, parathyroid, Hashimotos and Monday I hurt my ribs and it is really painful and hoping that it is costochondritis which I know is horrible and lengthy but a cracked rib from leaning over a train seat arm frightens me even more because of the implications. Anyway, sorry I am rambling down and should think about getting to bed So I will say goodnight x