Hello, I am thinking of trying some adrenal cortisol extract (Thorne seems to be a well regarded one?) to support my adrenals/ low levels of cortisol. I’d be grateful if anyone could share their experiences of taking this supplement/any advice etc.
Thank you.
Looking at previous posts, especially opening post
Your ferritin is dire at 28
Have you had full iron panel test for anaemia
Not had folate, B12 or vitamin D tested
Hello,
Yes, my ferritin is dire and has been declining over a number of years but yet not flagged by GP as ‘in-range’…! What is a full iron panel test for anaemia, I have some results below, is this it?!
I am currently taking the following (aside from the vit D, I started these about 4 weeks ago), vit D2+K drops, Thorne super-B complex (x2), Nordic naturals omega +COQ10 (x2), Optibac Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic (c.2-3), 1000mg solar vit c (1 tablet), solgar gentle iron 20mg x2 tablets taken with vit C away from the other ones.
I also have low cortisol levels which I previously posted. Here are some other results from last bloods tested:
Iron 16.6 (range 10 - 30 umol/L)
UIBC 48.2 (range 24.2 - 70.1 umol/L)
TIBC 65 (range 41 - 77 umol/L)
Ferritin 28 (range 13 - 150 ug/L)
Transferrin Saturation 26 (range 20-55 %)
Folate 20.3 nmol/L (range 8.83 - 60.8)
Vit D 134 nmol/L
Active B12 71.1 pmol/L (range 37.5 - 188)
Total B12 342 pmol/L (range 300 - 569)
Thanks for the thoughts. I guess I just wanted to know more about ACE as I think alongside boosting the above, it would help with my low cortisol levels. I know all is linked together though but a bit chicken and egg!
What’s your diet like
Are you vegetarian or vegan
If not, the question is why are vitamin levels so bad?
Vitamin D now at good level
Total B12 still too low
Folate needs improving
Remember to stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results
Recommend taking separate folate and separate B12 the week before blood test (eg Jarrow folate and Jarrow B12)
Hopefully humanbean or SeasideSusie msy pop along re terrible ferritin levels
It takes many, many months to improve low ferritin levels
Low iron and/or low ferritin frequently linked to hair loss
Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid and will lead to low iron and ferritin
Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
List of iron rich foods
Links about iron and ferritin
irondisorders.org/too-littl...
davidg170.sg-host.com/wp-co...
Great in-depth article on low ferritin
oatext.com/iron-deficiency-...
drhedberg.com/ferritin-hypo...
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
restartmed.com/hypothyroidi...
Post discussing just how long it can take to raise low ferritin
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first
Medichecks offer full iron panel test
Posts discussing why important to do full iron panel test
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Why low ferritin needs improving
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Iron/ferritin and restless legs
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Helpful post about iron supplements and testing
RachelP03
Iron 16.6 (range 10 - 30 umol/L)
UIBC 48.2 (range 24.2 - 70.1 umol/L)
TIBC 65 (range 41 - 77 umol/L)
Ferritin 28 (range 13 - 150 ug/L)
Transferrin Saturation 26 (range 20-55 %)
Optimal iron panel levels according to rt3-adrenals.org/Iron_test_... are:
Serum iron: 55 to 70% of the range, higher end for men - yours is 33% so is on the low side.
Saturation: optimal is 35 to 45%, higher end for men - yours is 26% so on the low side.
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC): Low in range indicates lack of capacity for additional iron, High in range indicates body's need for supplemental iron - yours is in the upper part of the range.
Ferritin: Low level virtually always indicates need for iron supplementation -
With your level of 28 this is classed as iron deficiency according to NICE:
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency.
So your GP should be looking into this, prescribing iron if necessary and monitoring your levels regularly.
A full blood count will show if you have anaemia. You can have iron deficiency with or without anaemia.
Thank you, this is all very helpful. I feel like I eat a reasonable diet as its mostly organic and home cooked, although I do have a reasonable amount of bread/cereal for breakfasts. My Mother has a T4 to T3 conversion issue and also has B12 injections (she has enlarged red blood cells too). My grandmother was also being treated for hypo albeit inadequately. I have suffered with heavy periods for some time, plus after my 3rd daughter was born I lost a lot of blood. I eat quite a lot of red meat (crave steak and can eat a lot of it) but also do generally have a balanced diet, especially compared to most. I am also not overweight but a few kgs heavier since my children were born. My sister also seems to suffer in a similar way to me but without young children, she is more able to manage how she feels.
My main issues are basically that I have had no energy since my last daughter was born but since last year it is like my body has packed up. No energy, low moods, hard to get up in the morning, hair loss, period of panic attacks (not like me as I am not an anxious person so definitely an imbalance), permanent headaches/tight head, grinding teeth/jaw pains, neck and chest pains etc. Something is definitely out of whack, although my thyroid panel seemed OK. I feel like I need to take ibuprofen on a daily basis as I basically feel so rough (of course I don’t but that’s how it feels).
It is interesting that you suggested that being Hypo can cause heavy periods and that of course, it can also cause malabsorption of vits/minerals and then its a viscous cycle after that. I’m not entirely sure what comes first in this cascade - the low vits/minerals or the adrenals or the thyroid?!
Having read Peatfields book and various other items, I know I need to optimise my vits/minerals given my results but I do wonder if supporting my adrenals is also a good next step. I may also need NDT or T3 I guess, although my results aren’t indicative of that, just my symptoms…! I am very much at the start of this journey but getting very frustrated with how awful I feel and how I can’t seem to get out of this pit!!
I do have private medical and my GP will refer me as required but its hard to know which way to go e.g. haem or endo!
Thank you!
RachelP03,
I think ACE would be good as doesn’t contain the adrenaline.
You have good sups addressing some big deficiencies and ACE would be helpful in supporting adrenals with low cortisol levels to rebuild some of those steroid hormones. Just start low (ie 1/4 or 1/2 and increase very slowly). I can’t take glandulars but some members have had big success with them.
As said in previous post your iron panel is showing you are iron deficient. I don't supplement iron but many members find Ferrous Fumarate taken with 500mg-1,000mg vitamin C or Apple Cider Vinegar to be beneficial. Vit C will also aid adrenals. Raising iron should improve energy levels.
You may also find taking Betaine HCL with your meals improves your absorption issues. (Do not take if you are on PPI's).
Low cortisol/adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal (Cortisol) and Thyroid issues
Low cortisol/adrenal insufficiency
Adrenal cortisol & DHEA results 
