Cortisol results and using adrenal support

[Jamima]

My cortisol and DHEA Test results are attached. I’ve been unable to access medical help since lockdown and am now suffering quite severe qol problems. I figure there’s nothing to lose by trying an adrenal support product and would be really grateful for any help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jamima

Optimal levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/cortisol_t... are

• Morning at the top of the range - yours is 7.39% through the reference interval and would be better if it measured around 25

• Noon approximately 75% of the range - yours is 8.4% through the reference interval and would be better if it measured nearer 11

• Evening close to 50% of the range - yours is 18.46% through the reference interval and would be better if it measured nearer 4.7

• Nighttime at the bottom of the range - which is where yours is so I would't be too unhappy with this.

Obviously DHEA is low and this may improve as cortisol levels improve.

You could try an adrenal glandular - either the whole gland or the cortex, some people do better on one than another. There are a few brands out there:

Nutricology

Allergy Research

Adrenavive

Nutri Adrenal

Swanson

etc

It's worth noting that some just contain adrenal, some add extra vitamins, etc. Those with the extra vitamins do seem to be too potent for some people.

Stay away from "adaptogens" as these, even though they say are balancing, can lower cortisol.

[Jamima in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks, I’ll do some research on those brands. I’ve already tried an adaptogen and it made me feel awful.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Scrumbler

Adrenal glandulars should help raise cortisol levels, obviously testing first is necessary to know if we need them.

My cortisol levels were rock bottom across the board, but this was purely because a "practioner" advised me to take an adaptogenic supplement when all my levels were high in range. She omitted to suggest regular monitoring and I took the adaptogen supplement for 2 years (after ditching the practioner) before I thought to test again. By that time they had worked so well my levels had plummeted so I needed to raise them to a decent level.

It's been a long road, with regular testing, but they are improving my levels. Personally, there have been no drawbacks. I am due to retest cortisol levels soon but as time has gone on I seem to be needing slightly less thyroid medication so it's possible that as cortisol levels are normalising things might be working better thyroid-wise.

[Jamima in reply to SeasideSusie]

Susie - I’ve had some odd thyroid results - low TSH and T4, someone suggested it could be linked to cortisol and an hpa axis issue. Do you think your thyroid problem is linked?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jamima]

Jamima

Not really in my case. I had an underactive thyroid diagnosed 45 years ago and was fine on Levo for 25 years, then things went pear shaped - low nutrient levels including Vit D deficiency, poor conversion. I don't believe I had an adrenal problem to any great extent, just a practitioner that, in my opinion, overreacted to high in range (but not over range) levels and was negligent in her advice. Nutrients now optimised, conversion problem addressed, adrenals getting there, thyroid stable.

[Jamima in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks.

[Jamima]

Many thanks Scrumbler, all info is helpful and I tried a brief stint on adaptogens which made me feel awful, presumably because they were lowering my already low cortisol levels. I’m going to try Adrenavive ii and I’ll report my findings in the hope it might help others.

[Jamima]

Thank you, you too.

[Barrister]

If you do have an adrenal issue then my advice, for what it’s worth, is to see your GP and request an early morning cortisol test prior to trying any home remedies because these could skew the results of any hospital testing. It looks as though you may have an adrenal problem and if it turns out to be Adrenal Insufficiency then this will need treating with lifelong steroids. I fully understand that your quality of life is poor at the moment as I went through something very similar and was only diagnosed after I went into an adrenal crisis and nearly died but it does get better once you are on the proper treatment. But first, get that cortisol blood test done.

Clemmie

[Jamima in reply to Barrister]

Many thanks Barrister. I’m trying to get a telephone gp appointment but it’s not easy! Will keep trying. I’m just tired literally and metaphorically of my life and brain shrinking and am now desperate to find something, anything that might help.