Salivary cortisol take 2!

[Bambini83]

Hi there,

Brief background - no official diagnosis or meds. Symptoms for roughly a year. Two thyroid nodules, slightly elevated TPO antibodies.

Already had great advice here which is much appreciated. As suggested I redid my salivary cortisol test via Regenerous and have attached my results. It seems to me this is a good result?

When I saw a private endo in July she talked a lot about adrenal fatigue. I have done a lot since then to try and address stress relief, relaxation and sleep and have been eating regularly throughout the day. I don’t know if I may have already addressed adrenal fatigue to a degree or if my adrenals weren’t that much of an issue anyway?

As an aside it appears I have some kind of fungal infection on my tongue. Have had issues a while but HCPs haven’t really been that interested. Waiting for swab result to see what it is -assuming candida.

I don’t really know what to think in terms of my thyroid health in all of this. I can only assume if I was early stage hashimotos I wouldn’t be so symptomatic as my thyroid is currently functioning and my adrenals are good?

I’ve made huge lifestyle changes and have had periods of feeling better to varying degrees but then I always seem to ‘relapse’ and am never 100%. I’ve had great advice here and currently working on improving my ferritin. Still waiting to see a neurologist. I’m considering seeing a nutritionist to try and help me improve my gut health. Endo did talk about ME and I feel I’m on the road to that diagnosis.

Thanks as ever for reading!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Bambini83

As mentioned in reply to previous post, optimal levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/cortisol_t... are:

• Morning at the top of the range - yours is 47.83% through range so quite a bit lower than optimal but at least it's within the green band although 25 would be better.

• Noon approximately 75% of the range - yours is 13.45% through range so very low for that sample

• Evening close to 50% of the range - yours is minus 3.08%

• Nighttime at the bottom of the range - yours is 3.75% through range so the only one where it ought to be.

DHEA looks fine.

The report suggests early HPA axis disfunction which you can read about in these articles found by a Google search:

google.co.uk/search?sxsrf=A...

4 months ago it was suggested that Ferritin and Vit D needed improving and Folate could do with a boost too. Have you been working to improve these? It would be worth retesting now if you have.

[Bambini83 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie. Yes retested in Oct and Vit D now optimal, ferritin not. It seems medichecks have stopped including folate in results? So I’m working on ferritin now. I ordered an iron panel but haven’t been able to get blood draw due to the lockdown. In the meantime I’ve started better you iron 10 spray which is 71% of RDA and I’m hoping will be more easily absorbed. Thanks again!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Bambini83]

Bambini83

Medichecks do include Folate in some of their test bundles, eg Advanced Thyroid Function Blood Test (can be done by fingerprick). They also do an Iron Deficiency Check (which is the iron panel) which can be done by fingerprick.

How do you know you need an iron supplement if you haven't done an iron panel? If your serum iron is already good, taking an iron supplement is likely to take it over range and too much iron is toxic. Hence it's always advised to try raising ferritin by eating liver, etc, unless you know you have iron deficiency or anaemia, in which case your GP should prescribe and monitor.

[Bambini83 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie. I must have ordered the wrong thyroid bundle last time. Afraid I’ve tried finger prick tests previously and I can’t manage them unfortunately. I’d ordered the iron deficiency check to be taken at the clinic but unfortunately we then went straight to lockdown so I haven’t yet been able to use it. Fair point on the iron supplement - it’s something I’ve been conscious of but I thought if it was less than RDA of iron that would be ok (same as anyone taking a multi vit with iron without knowing their level) but admittedly I don’t know what I’m doing. I’d used spatone previously. I’ve only used the spray just over a week so I’ll stop it for now. The last thing I want is iron overload. Interestingly a week in I had noticed my feet tingling was improved but that could be coincidental. I’ll start on liver instead - I did try it for a brief spell but admittedly not long as I struggle to stomach it.

I’m trying to address each issue but it all feels insurmountable at times and I do get overwhelmed. Thanks again for all your help.

[Bambini83 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I had read about stage 1 adrenal dysfunction but from what I can gather it’s not the cause of my ongoing issues...appreciate I’m looking for answers no one can really give me - just get so tired and frustrated with my situation at times! Genuinely appreciate all advice you’ve already given.