Thyroid and Adrenals

[Kellyjam1]

Hi,

I have low morning cortisol and just don’t have the energy to make it through the day. I take NDT and top up with t3 but my t4 levels are always low and out of range. I think when I try to raise my NDT it potentially back fires due to low cortisol?

I have had 3 SST tests done and I pass every time so my adrenals can work but are clearly not doing a lot on their own. I do have chronic Lyme disease also just to complicate matters!

I have tried all the bovine adrenal cortex and they really don’t do anything and I was wondering if anyone had purchased HC and treated themselves or is this too risky?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thanks 🙏

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I did better with an adrenal glandular rather than just adrenal cortex. May be worth a try.

[Kellyjam1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks tried them all and not helped at all unfortunately

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Kellyjam1]

You said you'd tried all the bovine adrenal cortex, I'm saying that adrenal cortex wasn't right for me and I did better on adrenal glandular. Have you tried a glandular because that is different, it contains not only the cortex but the medulla as well.

[Kellyjam1 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes tried every sort and every brand

[greygoose]

How low is low? Best to give numbers if you want people to comment.

I would not advise anyone to self-treat with HC. It is risky and it's not a nice thing to take. It should be a last resort.

But, it may not be your low cortisol that stops you increasing your NDT - if it were, I think it would affect you when taking T3, as well. Could you possibly have low nutrients? Ask your doctor to test your vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. They all need to be absolutely optimal to do well with NDT.

[Kellyjam1 in reply to greygoose]

Yes I struggle with nutrients due to absorption issues. My morning cortisol is around the 180 mark and should be around 500

[greygoose in reply to Kellyjam1]

OK, that is low, but I don't think it's low enough to warrant HC.

So, what are you supplementing with for your nutrients? Do you know if you have low stomach acid? Have a look at this article and try the home-test at the end:

healthygut.com/articles/3-t...

[jgelliss in reply to greygoose]

Thank You for sharing greygoose . This is a very Valuable Information everyone should read especially thyroid patients.

[greygoose in reply to jgelliss]

You're welcome.

[Kellyjam1 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you

[greygoose in reply to Kellyjam1]

You're welcome.

[heathermr]

Hi I am having problems with cortisol levels too. Mine was around 235 last time i had an SST rising to 437, but its dropped more since then. I am told that the failure point for cortisol levels are 170 initially and if the level does not rise above 420 , so you are very close with a level of 180. Mine is caused by pituitary failure because I have already lost my TSH . Since the Endo has refused treatment and I cant manage to even get out of bed and my asthma has been triggered, I have gone down the Hc route. I am just taking a small dose, 5mcg in the morning, then 2.5mcg at lunch time if I need it, and again later if I need it. This is just about keeping me on my feet while I wait for my cortisol level to drop to the magic 170. Without the Hc I am so nausea all day, I stagger about to the bathroom but essentially can do nothing all day as the world is jigging about in my vision. I have not gone back to the Gp as he has not a clue what's going on and I cant get an appt anyway! I will have to go back and have another cortisol test at the Gp in the end, and then there will be a panic and another 4 month wait to see an Endo. Either that or I am going to end up collapsing and being taken into A&E before they will treat the low cortisol.

Heather