Hydrocortisol. Anyone else used this to help adrenals cope with thyroid medication?

[Sally56]

My Endo has put me on 20mgs of Hydrocortisol to get my T3 medication up to therapeutic level. I have no thyroid and have conversion trouble from T4 to T3, so have for past 3 months been on T3 only (No T4). But couldn't get past 15mcgs without having adrenal rushes. I am to take the Hydrocortisol for 2 weeks, then reduce to 10mgs for 2 weeks then come off it. Anyone else with experience of Hydrocortisol? This is my fourth day in and I am still having adrenal rushes if I do too much physically? Thanks.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you are having awful problems with your hormone replacements. It's bad enough being hypo without extra problems.

I don't know if this will be helpful as you've probably read many things.

drlam.com/articles/adrenal_...

[Sally56 in reply to shaws]

HI Shaws,

Thanks for the link. You are very kind. It is such a complex thing, isn't it? I've also just read that being on Hydrocortisol can produce adrenal rushes. They have certainly intensified since I started treatment. I am on 30mcgs of T3 now and I've read on the STTM website about adrenals and Hydrocortisol, it says that with the steroid replacement I may be getting more T3 saturating the cells too, so I don't know if I'm hyper or adrenal? Beats me?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sally56]

The saying goes 'we're damned if we do' and 'damned if we don't' so no wonder our heads spin trying to work out things that even doctors seem not to have a clue about.

I know of two doctors - one who states we have to treat adrenals first and the other stated that when we're on sufficient meds they fix themselves.

[Sally56 in reply to shaws]

Hi Shaws,

Yes you've nailed it there! I posted this uner my old thread this afternoon, but should have put it here. so here tis.

I am now day 5 of 20 mgs Hydrocortisol and increased T3 to 30mcgs. I feel a weird adrenally (may not be) rush type thing. I am on full charge hyper-vigilant. I have conflicting info and I know it's not all one size fits all, but I am struggling physically and emotionally. I rang and spoke to my Endo and he doesn't know why I am having this reaction, but advised me to sit with it until next Monday. I can take valium and propananol to ease the symptoms and this is helping a lot. I have had these kind of feelings/sensations before and it took a long time to get over them and for my body to calm. Many many months.

[Caesard]

I'm sympathetic on your ordeal and cannot offer any help as I didn't use HC, but please, describe this adrenal rush, how is it manifesting?

[Sally56 in reply to Caesard]

Hi Caesard,

This is so hard so articulate! It's a bit like extreme stress but more physical. It's like I'm super revved up and my nervous system is on high alert. My throat closes, I feel shaky (though don't shake?) I am weak, there is blood pulsating in my head. I feel my heart but it's not beating faster (I take my BP and heart rate). I feel stressed, I have no tolerance for any stress of any kind. I just am not coping at all. Sometimes I'm breathless. I try not to get sacred to see if I am making it worse and I don't think it psychological. I thought until this week that it was over medication from the T3 so a bit similar to hyper symptoms. Oh boy I just can't find the words to describe it well I'm sorry.

[Caesard in reply to Sally56]

Oh god! sending a good thought your way!

Thanks for the explanation