Adrenal/ Cortisol Test Results Advice Please

[DollyDuck]

Morning,

I would just like some feedback on these results from the BH Saliva test. I think they are ok which means my adrenals are ok, it's just the 4pm one which is low. I understand this test needs to be ok otherwise your thyroid meds won't work properly anyway. Any confirmation would be gratefully received - many thanks.

[Kipsy]

My recent saliva cortisol test had a similar dip mid afternoon. I have no idea if it's related but I recently started taking my levo (on 75mcg but still not yet euthyroid) at night, at least 2 hours after finishing dinner. Since then I haven't experienced fatigue mid afternoon. It could be completely unrelated but thought it worth mentioning in case you're really struggling from 2/3pm onwards like I was.

[DollyDuck in reply to Kipsy]

Thanks for taking the time to reply. I do notice a dip and then I pick up again (weird I know). I take my tablet about 7am I can't take it at night because it plays havoc with my other meds. Something worth thinking about though. Thanks again.

[Nikkijdm in reply to Kipsy]

hi did you get this saliva test on the NHS? GP says this isn't available. any advice much appreciated!

[Kipsy in reply to Nikkijdm]

Hi Nikkijdm

Unfortunately not. My GP does nothing apart from test TSH. I had the Genova saliva test and a couple of others (GI Total Effects and one more I can't recall the name of but it was a full vitamin and mineral test effectively) organised through a functional medicine practitioner. (I paid Genova directly and the FMP then interpreted the results for me and has put me on an 8 week protocol to kill off everything that the GI test discovered before she tries to put some good stuff back into my gut. The whole exercise has been very expensive and I haven't seen a huge improvement yet. However, as I paid Genova directly and have ordered all the various herbs and foul tasting tinctures myself, I know the FMP isn't making much of a profit so I'm willing to keep going and follow her plans. The GI test was much more revealing than the saliva test to be honest.)

I wonder if medichecks might offer a saliva test you could use? And I think you can also go via ThyroidUK to order the Genova one?? The FMP just suggested that I find some time each day to relax completely in order to try to bring my morning cortisol down a bit. We're really concentrating on my gut health- SIBO, low stomach acid, a parasite, candida and a complete dearth of good bacteria showed up. Oh yes, and the zonulin result (measures how leaky your gut is) was off the scale. Joy of joys!

Best of luck

[Nikkijdm in reply to Kipsy]

Thank you yes people mentioning the Genova test via thyroid uk just don't understand why it can't be more readily available bet of luck to you I hope you see some improvement. I have been suggested practicing more mindfulness. Watch this space (!)

[Kipsy in reply to Nikkijdm]

I struggle with mindfulness but I was told to either 'starfish' (basically lie on my back in a starfish position) or lie down outside & watch the clouds for 10-15 mins a day. When I have remembered to do either, it's been lovely. Maybe worth a try? Hope it helps. X

[humanbean]

Optimal levels of cortisol from a saliva test are given on this link :

rt3-adrenals.org/cortisol_t...

Optimal levels

• Morning at the top of the range

• Noon approximately 75% of the range

• Evening close to 50% of the range

• Nighttime at the bottom of the range

If your results are compared to the optimal levels above you get the following :

Sample 1 : Optimal = 21.0 --- Yours = 15.7

Sample 2 : Optimal = 7.75 --- Yours = 5.79

Sample 3 : Optimal = 4.75 --- Yours = 2.13

Sample 4 : Optimal = 0.8 --- Yours = 2.32

Totals = 34.3 (Ref range = 21.3 - 41.5) --- Yours = 25.94

The optimal total is 64% of the way through the range, and your total is 23% of the way through the range.

Clearly your results are not optimal and are too low for the first three samples. If you do some research into how to boost your cortisol and your adrenal health generally, you'll find lots of links on the subject of vitamins and minerals that are good for adrenal health (or adrenal fatigue, depending on which way you want to look at it). Also note that good adrenal health needs salt. Do some searches for the "adrenal cocktail" - there are lots of recipes, but in each case the basics are similar and the differences between recipes are not major. Dr Lam's website is another one that is popular.

drlam.com/library.asp

On the above link, click on each of the blue boxes near the top of the page, starting with "About AF Sydrome".

But I think you need more than that.

People used to take Nutri-Adrenal or Nutri-Adrenal Extra to help low cortisol and poor adrenal health, but I am not sure if these products are still available.

What people are taking instead are the Adrenavive products. I've never used these myself and don't know anything much about them nor which dosage you would need :

the-natural-choice.co.uk/do...

It would be a good idea to research the above products before shelling out large amounts of cash. Products like Nutri-Adrenal or Nutri-Adrenal Extra (often referred to on the forum as NAX) and the Adrenavive products contain ingredients that could interfere with sleep if taken later in the day. Don't take them after 1pm.

If you can boost your cortisol earlier in the day, then your high cortisol at bedtime should reduce without specific treatment.

A link you may find helpful :

functionalmedicine.net/pdf/...

[DollyDuck in reply to humanbean]

Thank you so much for your help. I was under the impression I was ok and didn't need any help. So glad you took the time to reply. I have been researching and my understanding is that if your adrenals are stressed then you have to address them first before going through the route of adding T3 or NDT as you are not fighting the underlying cause. So I will look into this accordingly. Thank you once more - don't know what I would do without this site.

[DollyDuck]

humanbean, just one thought, the adrenal cocktails all seem to contain salt, as I have Hashi is this a no go? I know iodine can be dodgy.

[humanbean in reply to DollyDuck]

Salt is essential for good adrenal health. greygoose knows more about the adrenals and salt than I do. Perhaps she might comment when she reads this?

You definitely want to avoid iodine with Hashi's.

[DollyDuck in reply to humanbean]

Thanks. I think I'm getting myself confused thinking salt is the same as iodine blooming brain fog! I am on a low dose of Amitriptyline for my bladder pain, and being a antidepressant would this effect the adrenals? Even if it does I am sure I would benefit from some help from the supplements you mentioned. Perhaps greygoose might know? Sorry to be a pain. Thanks.

[greygoose in reply to DollyDuck]

Iodine is often added to table salt. But, you don't want table salt, anyway. Nasty stuff. You want some type of sea salt, or pink Himalayan salt.

I'm afraid I don't know anything about Adrenavive, either. But, to support your adrenals, you need plenty of B vits and vit C. Also a high protein breakfast as soon as you wake. FB is correct, if you can raise the morning cortisol, the night time cortisol will sort itself out.

[DollyDuck in reply to greygoose]

Thank you so much for your help. I will have a go and see what happens. xx

[greygoose in reply to DollyDuck]

You're welcome.