Saliva test results help

[Frances0008]

Hi everyone.

I got my results back for cortisol and it looks like my morning is definitely low, but the rest of them seem basically ok I think.

If anyone has experience, would you be able to take a look and suggest if I need to do anything about my levels? Are they low enough that I should try to supplement?

For context, I have hashis and am just coming through a period where I was undermedicated for a number of months. I also have poor t4 to t3 conversion.

Thanks very much for any advice!!

[greygoose]

Your morning cortisol is only just under mid-range, so not too bad. I would say just be kind to your adrenals. Give them lots of vit C and plenty of salt. High protein breakfast in the morning.

Have you had your nutrients tested? Vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin? Adrenals need lots of B vits, but don't try supplementing without testing the B12 and folate first.

What are you doing about your conversion problem? Have you got the results for FT4 and FT3?

[Frances0008 in reply to greygoose]

My b12 was 461 (200-1000), my vitamin d was 101 (50- 150) and my folate was close to the top of the range but I’m already supplementing that. I’ve already been told my iron levels are low (came back at 35 and 45 when twice tested recently and told I should be aiming for 70.) I think I’ll probably add in gentle iron (20 mg a day?) and some b12. Is that likely to help with morning cortisol? Thanks for your advice.

[Frances0008 in reply to Frances0008]

Oh and as for my conversion problem, I’ve started taking t3 and see how that goes. Plus trying to address iron, vitamins and cortisol to improve my ratio.

[greygoose in reply to Frances0008]

Doubt it. You'd be much better off taking a good B complex with at least 400 mcg methylfolate, NOT folic acid. The Bs all work together, so need to be kept balanced. Plus the adrenals need all the B vits, not just one or two.

I very much doubt that will raise your ferritin levels. There's very little iron in Gentle iron. Do you eat liver? Eating that once a week has been found to be the best way to raise levels. Otherwise, you'll need something a bit stronger than Gentle Iron with a ferritin level that low.

Forget ratios, they're for healthy people, not hypos. Just make sure you get as much T3 as you need, as apposed to what you're supposed to need. There's often a huge difference.

[Frances0008 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll look into complex bs. Really want to avoid having to eat liver (!!) but I’ll keep it as a last resort!!

[greygoose in reply to Frances0008]

B complex, not complex Bs. It means one pill that contains all the Bs.