Adrenal support: Hi, I've just read Barry... - Thyroid UK

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Adrenal support

JAmanda profile image
14 Replies

Hi,

I've just read Barry Durrent-Peatfield's book and he seems to suggest all hypothyroid patients would benefit from adrenal support. I wasn't completely convinced by the science but wonder if it would hurt to give it a try? What does anyone think? (Someone here suggested Adrenavive II - is it a supplement? legal?)

(Am on 100mcg levo, having increased to that from 25mcg, beginning in June 2018. Much improved in all manner of ways but cannot stay asleep at night (wake frequently) and can't exercise as it exhausts me afterwards - plus ongoing muscle pain unchanged since May last year.)

Sorry i posted this previously with an incorrect login but couldn't delete it.

Regards,

Amanda

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JAmanda
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Peanut31 profile image
Peanut31

Hi JAmanda

A couple of things you need to do first before taking adrenal support, first one check your adrenals by doing a cortisol test.

I have attached a link to cortisol testing ordered via Thyroiduk.

My cortisol is high so I’m working on getting it down.

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/g...

Second advice, obtain your thyroid results from the GP, it could be your not on the correct dosage.

You are entitled to a copy of your blood results by law, go and ask the receptionist for a copy, you don’t need to see a GP for your results, don’t be fobbed off either, and don’t accept written one.

When you have them do a new post and remember to include the lab ranges as well.

When the GP tells you they are normal, or in range that means nothing in the thyroid world.

You need to test TSH, T3 & T4. It’s T3 that gives us the energy and keeps our metabolism going.

It could be your T3 is low and you are using it just to function everyday without having to use it for exercising as well.

I bet your GP has not tested the full thyroid panel? TSH, T3 & T4?

Perhaps they are only interested in your TSH results. Well if that’s the case, they are not helping you.

Thirdly - vitamins are very important to support the thyroid, iron, ferritin, vitamin D and B12. Have those been tested lately.

You can do private blood tests yourself, I use medichecks, some tests are finger prick so you can do them at home, you send the completed kit back and then you are emailed the results. Is maybe a good idea if you have not had a full thyroid panel done.

Just having TSH, & T4 is not adequate.

Best wishes

Peanut31

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda in reply to Peanut31

In Oct 18, my tsh 0.57 and t4 was 20. By Dec I was feeling clearly bad so upped my levo from 75 to 100. 6 weeks on results are as below. I could possibly go up a little - am seeing Endo in Jan - but just reading and thinking to check adrenals as possible other cause - especially of sleeplessness (low melatonin?).

As to vits, iron and D always fine but since it’s winter, I use d spray anyway. B12 and folate been slightly low so take decent combined pill daily.

I will restart vit c today as recommended. And also check adrenals. Thx.

Jan 18

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE

0.27 - 4.2 R

1.5

mIU/L

FREE T3

3.1 - 6.8 R

4.18

pmol/L

FREE THYROXINE

12 - 22 R

19.1

pmol/L

Autoimmunity 492 (range under 34)

Marz profile image
Marz

Adrenals love Vit C and good levels of T3 :-)

jgelliss profile image
jgelliss in reply to Marz

Celtic Sea Salt is very helpful here too . As is Iron if labs are low . Vitamin "D" /K2 , B-12/folate , B-Complex , B-5 , B-1 . Gluten Dairy Sugar Soy Coffee Free is very helpful . Lots of rest and laughs .

Best Wishes .

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

JAmanda

As Peanut says, do a cortisol test first.

Adrenavive is an adrenal glandular and it is perfectly legal.

However, adrenal support can be for low cortisol or high cortisol, what you take for each one is different, so it's essential to do an adrenal test first.

There is the one that Peanut has linked to with Genova.

There is also this one with Regenerus thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/r...

Same test - 24 hour saliva - 4 x samples - tests both cortisol and DHEA. Very similar price. Regenerus notify you direct when results are read. With Genova they go to ThyroidUK who then send them on to you.

[I have deleted your duplicate post.]

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda in reply to SeasideSusie

Any reason not to use meduchecks for this? Just so I can keep all my results in one place.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to JAmanda

Medichecks only do cortisol testing, they don't include DHEA, and both are important for a full picture. Regenerus and Genova both include DHEA.

Hyburn profile image
Hyburn in reply to JAmanda

Medichecks do not give an actual number for the last cortisol test just a < less than which is why I am now doing mine via Regenerus.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you improved your vitamins?

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin D is a pre-steroid. We need good vitamin D levels for good adrenals

Low vitamin D and low B vitamins linked to poor sleep

drgominak.com/vitamin-d/

Are you on strictly gluten free diet now? This can help adrenals too

Personally I wouldn't touch any adrenal supplements other than a good quality daily vitamin C

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda in reply to SlowDragon

My partner is Italian - he cant live without pasta so I’d love to avoid gluten free if at all possible for the sake of the relationship!

Peanut31 profile image
Peanut31 in reply to JAmanda

Hi

As mentioned a cortisol test is needed and as Seasidesusie said you need your DHEA testing as well.

My cortisol came back high, but, very low DHEA. I'm no longer on levo as I couldn't get on with it no matter how much I increased, despite, my results looking good.

Results mean nothing if you still feel awful.

Many including myself ditched the endo and GP and started to self medicate, but first you have to go the NHS a chance as in levo, which I did.

GP's and endo (not all) are just too obsessed with blood results as in TSH only.

Looking back on the endo notes he never tested T3, which to me said it all about how ignorant he was about the importance of T3.

I never realised how important T3 was until being on this forum and another thyroid forum. It controls everything from your weight to your state of mind.

You need to try going gluten free and stick with it, not just a few days for a few months to see if you feel any better. They do gluten free pasta in the free from section.

I think I may be wining the battle on my high cortisol, by upping my ashwaganda and also looking at my diet. I was eating far too much sugar, as in fruits. To say I feel a lot better is an understatement, I still eat fruits, but, avoid ones that have lots of sugar. I never feel hungry anymore either. I'm still not on the right dosage of NDT, but I feel so much better.

Before anyone can help further as said you need the cortisol and DHEA testing asap, don't rely too much on your endo to make you feel better as some of it, you have to research yourself and with the support on here, you will soon be feeling better.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

Hyburn profile image
Hyburn in reply to JAmanda

There are some decent Italian g/f pastas. Scotti brand is good but hard to get. I like Juvela macaroni. Barilla might be ok too but not tried it.

Fruitandnutcase profile image
Fruitandnutcase in reply to JAmanda

I use gluten free pasta. I can’t taste much difference but then I’m not talian! I have to psyche myself up to make lasagne though because you have to pre-cook the sheets before making the dish and I find that a pain - especially if I let the sheets stick together and I have t try and separate them. After many years of using the pre-cooked stuff I find that very hard work, but as I absolutely love lasagne it’s worth it.

JAmanda profile image
JAmanda

Thanks everyone.

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