I have been taking Adrenavive iii for around a year now, and I don't know it is helping me or not! I seem to have a shaking bout around two hours after having them morning and afternoon, and I am not sure what is causing them I though it might be my severe anxiety, but thought it might be worth trying a different type of adrenal medication.
Could the Adrenavive be causing it? I used to take a lot higher dose last year, and I felt much better. . They did seem to help me last year, but I have to stop them at the beginning of this year, because they had no stock available, but since I re-started taking them, a few months ago, I can't seem to tolerate even a small dose. Why could this be?
Has anyone tried the Nutri Adrenal supplements? They seem to do quite a few different ones, and I don't know where to start, so just looking for some advice really.
I am starting to become really scared as I don't know what is happening to me, and every day I just seem to feel worse, and worse.
Thank you
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Maybe you should retest adrenals with a 24 hour saliva cortisol/DHEA test to see if you are taking the right dose and supplement. I went too long after starting Adrenavive before retesting and my cortisol level had plummeted from very high in range to bottom of range.
FOR CLARIFICATION - EDITED TO ADD
I have made a mistake with this sentence:
I went too long after starting *Adrenavive* before retesting
It should read:
I went too long after starting *Adreset* before retesting
Thank you - don't you take Adrenavive to raise your cortisol levels? Sorry I get so confused as to whether I have high cortisol or very low! The symptoms seem so similar. Thank you
Sorry, it was Adreset I used to lower high cortisol and took it for too long then ended up with low cortisol.
I then used to take Adrenavive to raise my low cortisol and when it became unavailable I changed to a different brand and used whole adrenal glandular rather then just the adrenal cortex version of Adrenavive that I was taking.
If you don't know if you have high or low cortisol then it would be best to test so that you know which type of supplements to take.
Thank you - it is best to test with Medichecks? I think they are somebody I have used before. I thought I shouldn't take the whole cortex, as that included adrenaline, so I thought that was bad for you. I am so sorry I just get really confused. I saw Dr Peatfield about 3 years ago and he said to take the Adrenavive, but he didn't really explain, apart from he thought all the stress and trauma had caused my adrenals to stop working, and that was the best thing to take, but I am not sure what is best to take. I have just been taking the Adrenavive iii, trying to work up to the dose I was taking last year that helped me, but now I just seem to shake a couple of hours after taking them, so I am really confused.
No, they only do cortisol, as do Blue Horizon. It's best to do cortisol plus DHEA and that test is done by Regenerus and Genova Diagnostics. Details on ThyroidUK's main website
I use Regenerus as they email you direct when results are ready whereas Genova send them to ThyroidUK who then send them on to you once you've sent off your details to arrange this.
Prices for all the labs are very similar.
I thought I shouldn't take the whole cortex, as that included adrenaline,
I think you have mixed up cortex with the whole gland.
The whole gland - as in "adrenal glandulars" - contain both the cortex and medulla.
The medulla produces adrenaline and noradrenaline.
The cortex produces hormones - basically cortisol, DHEA and aldosterone.
Adrenavive l is the whole adrenal gland.
Adrenavive ll and lll are cortex only.
When Dr P first put you on Adrenavive 3 years ago, which one did you take - Adrenavive l, ll or lll?
Presumably you changed to Adrenavive lll as you said you've been taking it for about 12 months.
If you haven't retested in all this time then you really should. I took Adreset for 2 years without retesting because I ditched my practioner and never thought to retest, it has caused me a major problem by reducing my cortisol to an extremely low level which I now am working on raising again. If I had thought to retest, say at 6 monthly intervals, I would have noticed what was happening and never got to the stage where I ended up at.
Thank you so much, and I am so sorry to keep bothering you, but doesn't the Adrenavive make your cortisol go up? But you have said that after you had been on it for 2 years, it had made yours drop? I don't understand. Sorry, I am not the most intelligent of people. When I started with Dr P, he said to start with Metavive 1 and Adrenavive 1, which I did, but he said to keep increasing my dose if I didn't feel any better, which I did. I first I didn't realise that there was any difference between Adrenavive I, ii & iii, so when I increased my dose, I just went up in the medication, to save taking lots of tablets. Which I was doing until the end of last year, until I have trouble taking getting the tablets, as they were out of stock for months. I do take T3 (100 a day, split into two doses am & pm), which I had to stop for awhile, as I was struggling with supply, but I am back up to my normal dose now, but its not just the trembling I struggle with, all of my thyroid symptoms don't seem to be improving, like they did before, so I am wondering if its an adrenal thing.
I am happy to test, its just so expensive (I am not benefits for another condition) so I try to go without, but I will have a look at Regenerus.
Reread my earlier replies above as I cleared this up last night.
Last night you asked
don't you take Adrenavive to raise your cortisol levels?
and I answered:
"Sorry, it was Adreset I used to lower high cortisol.... I then used to take Adrenavive to raise my low cortisol"
and today you've asked:
but doesn't the Adrenavive make your cortisol go up?
Yes. As I said last night:
"..... I then used to take Adrenavive to raise my low cortisol"
Today you've asked the same question:
But you have said that after you had been on it for 2 years, it had made yours drop? I don't understand
No, I made a mistake which I rectified above last night when I said
"Sorry, it was Adreset I used to lower high cortisol .... I then used to take Adrenavive to raise my low cortisol"
I have now edited my first reply to you in this thread to add a footnote which explains that I made a mistake and mixed up Adrenavive and Adreset last night.
My reply now clearly states what I took and what each supplement does.
My last reply last night also mentions Adrenavive instead of Adreset so I have edited that as well to avoid any further confusion. I assume you've only read that reply this morning. I obviously shouldn't respond to posts when it's getting late at night when discussing two things that have such similar names.
I am assuming that Dr P put you on Adrenavive because your symptoms suggested low cortisol, or did you test at that point and your results were low which is why he put you on Adrenavive?
Like I did with Adreset, it would seem that you have blindly continued with Adrenavive for a few years without testing.
Your opening post suggests that you are still taking Adrenavive lll - is that right?
If so, and even if you're not, then I would seriously consider testing with Regenerus to find out the state of your adrenals now.
I took Adreset (to lower cortisol) for too long without testing and my cortisol bottomed out.
It's possible, because you've been taking Adrenavive (to raise cortisol) that 3 years of taking it without testing means that your cortisol could possibly be high and maybe it's causing you problems.
I would not change your adrenal supplement until you have tested and seen where your cortisol and DHEA now lie.
Ahhh right sorry again! I did re-read, but I have dyslexia, so sometimes I read a total different thing wasn't written in front of me! So sorry. Thank you for all your help, I'll save up for a test and then see what to do next.
Bluehorizon and Medichecks 24 hoir saliva cortisol are not very good. The worst part in my view is that they both have ranges that go all the way down to zero for some of their measures. Making it impossible to identify low cortisol, which is the reason most people are taking the test.
I’ve never taken any adrenal medication. My cortisol was very low and below the 9am range for over a year. I was in a shocking state. Can I ask if you are on T3 medicine at all. I have Hashimotos. I was on T4 Levothyroxine only for 11 years. I had many problems with weakness and at times I felt flooded with adrenaline. To cut a long story short, I found out I have the DIO2 Heterozygous gene as positive, which means I’m not converting T4 to T3 very well or sometimes it feels not at all. I was put on T3 medication along with T4 Levothyroxine eventually after a lot of suffering. It was like a miracle. Not only did it give my thyroid a boost and back in range but also my cortisol improved no end. From 68 (155-607) to now at 466 at 9am. I haven’t got Addison’s. T3 fixed my adrenals too! T3 drives up your cortisol or if not enough T3 your cortisol drops low.
Just a thought I’m not sure if you are on T3 medication or had any checks on it.
Thank you - yes I am on T3, I have been for around 18 months/2 years. I found I couldn't tolerate any T4 at all, it just seem to make me worse, and I ended up with really high reverse T3! I haven't had a test for the gene, but it may be something to look into.
Could I just ask (you don't have to answer) Why you take T4 Levo, if you do not convert? I am on T3 only.
I always thought I had really high cortisol, because of chronic anxiety and stress, but it seems the symptoms of low and high are similar, so now I am just really upset with the whole thing!
Thank you very much for your advice, glad you feel better now
Regarding the T4 to T3 conversion and DIO2 gene test, it’s not that I don’t convert at all ( although when I’m T4 alone I felt mostly that nothing was converting). The gene test states ‘ decreased ability of the enzyme to generate the active T3 hormone’. So I can convert. At times though I wonder if there is a scale or a reason that I was doing better in the first 10 years in T4 alone. As last year I was really bad. So bad I could hardly sit up let alone walk. In the previous 10 years I would have phases of severe weakness and be either sent home from work or to hospital on T4 alone. Or out walking my dogs then suddenly go very weak and swaying about. It wasn’t food as I always had eaten. All along it’s been lack of T3. Last year I just collapsed and was taken to hospital. They didn’t have an answer. It went on for over a year of constant collapsing. Eventually a private Endocrinologist helped me and prescribed T3. I’m so much better I’m on T3 and my adrenals are good too now. I also lost my dream job with no diagnosis from the NHS during this period of hell.
So I’m on T4 as I can convert but only slightly. I do want to question this though in my next consultation. My T3 has never been higher than 3.9 (3.7-6.0) while on T4 alone. I have thought and wondered what I’d be like on T3 only. My T4 dose is quite low at 75mcg.
Hope you’re alright. I know it’s terrible when your levels are not right and adrenals are also not functioning properly. I see it as adrenaline is my strength and thyroid is my energy. With both being poor you can feel so ill.
I put on 2st last year being so bad. Since starting T3 in April I’ve lost 20lbs. Still some to go. I know weight isn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. But at least others can see I’m returning to myself. Most people could just not understand what I was going through. Even Drs didn’t have a clue.
Thank you - sorry for asking some many questions, but I really never seem to be able to take anything in! I have now managed to secure a good supplier of my Tiromel (T3) so hopefully I can get a bit better with that being constant. I had to lower my does loads at the end of last year, because my old supplier disappeared, so all of these year I have been worse than ever! My weight is a constant problem (I have anorexia which caused my thyroid problem) so I still gaining weight constantly, and I have really bad oedema that is so painful. I think my T3 dose is right, or near as, but I feel my adrenals might be the problem now!
Could I ask where you had the test done for the gene?
I got the gene test done by Regenerus Labs based in UK It costs £150. I think worth every penny. Just google them. They will send you a pack. You then send it back.
You then get an email about 3 weeks later. Someone will call you with the result.
When completing the on line form put Thyroid UK as the practitioner.
It's all private. So if you are not positive you dont have to discuss any further unless you wish to.
I'm on Thybon Henning from Germany. I did try NHS Sigma but that didnt agree with me. My skin erupted.
When I was on Levothyroxine alone I ended up in a really bad way. I couldn’t quite understand it as I had been on Levothyroxine for over a decade. However, I was never right but coped.
I was privately prescribed T3 as NHS refused initially. I was at a point where I could only walk a few steps. I’d collapse a lot. Not faint. Complete muscle power loss. Anyways I started on T3 ThyBon Henning. I took 5mcg in the morning and further 5mcg about 3pm. I was also taking 75mcg Levothyroxine daily. I had to split this dose in two also. Honestly I couldn’t believe the improvement within days 2/3 days. I was good again and being able to walk and get about. Thankfully it was spring which meant I could get into my garden more and do chores out there. Over time I was getting so much better. For the first 4 weeks on T3 I was getting pains in my lower back and nose diving at noon and then again around 5/6pm. This could only be my adrenals I thought. I’d had a synacthen test and no Addison’s. I had a blood test after 4/5 weeks from starting T3. My Thyroid bloods now all so much better. My 9am cortisol had shot up to 466 from previously at 150 (range 155-650). In the past my cortisol got as low as 68. So I believe in taking the T3 it woke my adrenals up and drove them to a better place. I later found out I am positive for the DIO2 gene. Also the variant I have is the one that’s linked to the skeletal muscles. So that now makes sense to me as to why my muscles kept collapsing.
I do have Paul Robinson’s T3 book. I ordered it out if interest after I was recovering. But I did not follow his guidance I went with my own guidance I guess and that if my private Endo Prof John Wass. 6 months after starting T3 as winter was approaching, I wanted to try and keep fit and lose weight, so I joined a local gym for 40min cardio workouts just taking it slow. I’d put on a lot of weight during the previous year as my body wasn’t functioning properly.
I was loving going the gym 3/4 times a week and got up to running 20mins flat out in a treadmill. Gosh I never thought I’d manage that. I’m 61. Then unfortunately the virus came and all gym activity has now stopped. I do go out fast walking each day though. I’ve now lost 3st and feel incredibly lucky and not felt this good in over a decade( since first being diagnosed with Hashimotos). I guess I always needed T3 medication but my GP had no knowledge of T3.
So, it’s taken a year to feel good again, and to feel better than I have in many years. T3 has been nothing short of a miracle for me.
I do hope you get some inspiration from my recovery story. It isn’t easy and it’s not a quick road to be honest. I did have some ups and downs. That was mainly to do with getting the T3 dose right and in balance with daily activities. When I started the gym I found I needed to increase the T3 to a third dose of 5mcg daily. Now I’ve stopped the gym due to the virus I’ve gone back to 5mcg twice daily along with Levothyroxine.
I started doing the ct3m for about 11 months ago when i found out abt it i was 7 months pregnant then. I slowly built up to 18.5mcg of t3 at 4am. And i have to say i was much much better than i ever was. Ive been struggling from 16yrs old and now im 37 so along time of being unwell.
so about 4 weeks ago i started to feel ill again with all the same symptoms coming back ( my heart sank😢) i didnt really change anything usual so i have no idea why im back to this stage now.
I take 25mcg of Levo and 25mcg of t3 divided dose.
Will you be kind enough to PM the private doc you saw?
I’m sorry to read you are having trouble with your levels.
25 Levo is very low and 25 T3 seems high to me. I guess we are all different though.
I see face to face or by telephone a Prof John Wass. He is based at The Manor Hospital in Oxford. I travelled from Chester which is a 400 mile round trip. It was worth every mile to me and every penny too. He charges about £200 for first face to face. If you then go down the telephone consultation route it’s just £100 per consultation.
He is the most respected Endocrinologist in the UK. All NHS Endo’s know of him. They think he’s some sort of Endo godfather. Whatever he suggests they will do. I now can get my T3 on the NHS also. Without Prof Wass intervening the NHS wasn’t prepared to prescribe and was sending me on a wild goose chase. I was diagnosed within 2 consultations with Prof Wass. If I’d known a year previously how cheap going private was I would have done it much sooner.
I’d suggest you get your bloods done on the NHS first. Your GP will need to send a referral to Prof Wass to be able to see him.
Ah yes. Covid. Maybe it’ll be telephone consultations presently. Definitely your GP will need to refer you. You could make a telephone consultation with your GP. Ask him/her to refer you. Explain you’d like to see a private only Endocrinologist. Sorry forgot to mention he’s private only. Say that Thyroid UK suggested you see him. I’m on ThyBon Henning 20mcg and cut into quarters. Stick the bill on your credit card for now and sort it later. It’s better to be in good health more than anything I’d say. T3 cost me £65 for a year’s supply.
Make a tel appointment with your GP in the morning and get the ball rolling 👍😉 xxx
Dr Peatfield originally put me on Adrenavive II 2 years ago but it didn't seem to suit me so after a few months he said to try Nutri Adrenal and I have slowly built up to 5 daily (3 am, 2 lunchtime) which has helped me considerably. (He also said I could try Nutri Adrenal Extra but it has lots of other ingredients and I am very reactive to medications so didn't want to risk it). Do agree that it would be better to test first as you've had to stop anyway - I used Regenerus.
I also use BetterYou magnesium flakes as a footbath at night - very calming and helps me sleep.
Just a thought re. Adrenavive and being out of stock - I don't know if they have changed /reformulated but could be you are reacting to a filler? Best wishes
Thank you - I was looking at both of them ,but wasn't sure about all the other vitamins added into the Extra one. I am still not sure which one is the best one to take, but I guess until I have had a test, I probably won't know.
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