24 h saliva results - comments please

I just got results back for my 24 saliva test ordered from Genova Diagnostics.

I was treated last year with high doses of cortisone for autoimmune encephalitis and have been having strange symptoms since weaning off it; I suspected my cortisol levels to be lowish but the opposite turned out to be true:

7.30 (30 mins after wakening up and staying in bed as instructed): 11.17 nmol/L (2.68.9.30)

noon 3.58 (0.75-2.93)

5 pm 4.91 (0.36-1.88)

11 pm 1.28 (<0.94)

DHEA 0.54 nmol/L (0.25-2.22)

DHEA:cortisol ratio: 0.05 (0.05-0.32)

I imagine this could explain why I have been struggling with weight gain, insulin resistance, and getting less effect from NDT (even having to lower my previous dose due to feeling hyper yet displaying hypo symptoms on the new, lower dose)?

Also, my latest labs showed lowish estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels. I am on HRT (E + P) so this was kind of surprising. My doctor told me to increase the estradiol and switch from cyclical to continuous progesterone, and prescribed DHEA (20 mg/daily) to raise T levels as she said using T gel is tricky to use in women and can easily lead to having too much T. I have not noticed much effect so far, and now wonder if my slightly elevated cortisol levels could account for that...? From what I´ve read, cortisol suppresses sex hormones.

I have also had a hard time falling asleep at night, and tend to wake up several times a night unless I take melatonin. Now I think that is caused by high cortisol at night.

It would seem my cortisol levels are slightly highish in the morning and then raise throughout the day to peak at night...the very opposite of how it should work.

My doctor does not routinely test cortisol levels.

Plus, I guess weight loss will be all but impossible as long as I don´t get my cortisol levels in range...

So, what would be the best way to lower them? I have looked at various supplements, but many contain a lot of different herbs and adaptogens, and often a mix of adaptogens said to both lower and raise cortisol...I definitely don´t need anything to raise mine. Plus, I have seen a few containing licorice root which I need to avoid since I am on blood pressure medication.