Cortisol results, advice please

[Judithdalston]

Wrote a post 2-3 days ago and did not receive a reply, so now a simpler question...I have had diagnosed hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto’s, fibromyalgia, insulin dependent diabetes...I have followed Dr. Lowe’s protocol for fibro., introducing T3 to levo., then T3 only ( up to 75 mcg). Improved and maintain my ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D to about optimal levels, yet still have pain, exhaustion all over so tried cortisol test: saliva 4 tests , results in nmol/L ( Medichecks)

8 am result 10.1 ( 6-21) so mid range

Noon. 11.4. (1.5-7.6) so raised

4pm. 7.43. (0-5.5) so raised

11.45 pm 2.36 ( 0-2) so raised

Obviously not high above range, and no DHEA tests, but rather out of sink if highest test result shown for noon not 8 am. Could it be the T3 that has stressed my body ( I already do most of the de-stressing things like no caffeine, walks, me-time etc). Could these results be making me ache and tired? If I took something like Ashwagandha at what time of day, and doses would be best? Is it worth involving my Gp, the Medichecks dr. suggested retest in 3 months? Any suggestions/ advice much appreciated.

[Hidden]

Do you have any symptoms for your high cortisol ie insomnia, sudden weight gain especially round your tummy, acne, stretch marks? If so then you may have Cushing's, in which case you need to ask your GP to do an early morning blood cortisol. However if you are on the pill or HRT these can elevate your cortisol too, it's best to be off them for 6 weeks prior to testing. Don't take any other supplements either until you have had the tests as they may mess up the results.

[Judithdalston in reply to Hidden]

Thanks PaulineS. But don’t think it is high enough to be rare Cushing’s Disease. Problem is a I have had some symptoms , like all over pain/ exhaustion for over 3 years ( in part why fibromyalgia diagnosis) , so nothing ‘sudden’, ie is weight round tummy hypo. rather than adrenal ( certainly don’t have stick arms/ legs!) ? Just want to get to bottom of disabilitating pain and tiredness...and my last resort, adrenal problems ( cortisol), is obviously not right!

[Hidden in reply to Judithdalston]

I'm sad to say that Cushing's isn't as rare as doctors would like to think, it's more a case of rarely diagnosed.

[greygoose]

Mid-range for your 8 am test is actually 13.5, so your result is quite a way below mid-range.

My take is that you should concentrate on trying to raise your morning cortisol, and the rest will probably drop back down into range. To do that, you should try and go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and eat a high protein breakfast a soon as you rise. If that means altering the time you take your T3, then I think it would be worth it. Also, make sure you're getting enough salt. Adrenals need salt.

[Judithdalston in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose ( you are having a busy day, ‘on duty?). My fibromyalgia has interrupted sleep rather: difficult getting to sleep , then up 4/5 times a night to wee ( waking up seeming to need to go, but in fact bladder not full) so last couple of years not don’t wake up till 9.30. The T3 , or associated improved vits/ mins, has improved getting to sleep most nights, and perhaps 2/3 times waking to wee...I take my T3 in middle of the night. Unfortunately my pain, tiredness and weakness has been so bad this last couple of months tend to miss breakfast, used to be proper porridge and coffee, as too exhausting to make, but will try something eggy!

[Hidden]

Hey Judith, this is just my experience , but high dose of t3 was driving my cortisol up for months. My insomnia was also caused by too much t3.

[Judithdalston in reply to Hidden]

Hello again cupofcha ... yes I did wonder whether it was the large dose T3, but I was hurting etc before , but unfortunately as didn’t test it no idea if cortisol was ’out’ then, pain etc was the reason I tried it in the first place. If anything the T3 improved my sleep! I’ll try the high protein breakfast next.

[Hidden in reply to Judithdalston]

It seems like it can be different for all of us. My cortisol, shbg, red cells were all suggesting overdose, so I wouldn't go by just cortisol to judge. For me it was a very fine line sleep-wise - a little too much t3 would prevent me from sleeping and also not enough. For me personally a huge factor was not having enough or super low t4, some people do better on having good ft4, but some need to remove it completely. High protein brekkie should help you a bit, I used to have a lot of protein back then. Also resistance training helped tremendously with burning that cortisol off. Xxxx

[Judithdalston in reply to Hidden]

The most resistance training i’ll be having is lifting small omelette pan on stove to plate...am extremely fatigued and weak! I’ve done the T3 only( upto 75 mcg) and now dropping it, with idea of trying to do 75% along range of both FT4 and FT3 ie reinstate levo. Legs not too bad...had struggled with 5,000 steps daily ( 2 years ago 10,000 easy), but getting to 8-10,000 daily steps, just not activities that involve raising arms, using hands.