Adrenal support

I wonder if someone could advise on how best to support my system.

We had a couple of stressful weeks, nothing major, just general life really. We came away and I've spent 2 days feeling nauseated, dizzy, and exhausted. I'm starting to pick up about now but this has happened every time I have to manage stress, long before my thyroid was diagnosed. Current working theory is that my adrenals are pumping out cortisol to keep me going through the stress and when they stop I get symptoms of low cortisol.

I just wondered if there is something I can do to minimise the reaction?

[Lalatoot]

Plant Lady It may be caused as much by your low FT3 which you know you have.I had similar for many years.

At best my hormone levels allowed me to cope with a basic daily routine without many symptoms or more likely my basic daily routine evolved to what I was able to manage comfortably. However when I had to increase my activity levels or up a gear be it through a stressful situation, more work to do, getting organised and travelling or being active more even on holiday then I would get anxious and feel the adrenalin. This was because when I needed that oomph over and above the basics I didn't have any hormones in reserve and the thyroid couldn't switch on and provide them. So what kept me going - adrenalin! It is not a great way to live.

Eventually for me things got so out of kilter (aided by me experimenting with reductions of levo - stupid me) that I became very hypo. Things are much better now I am on a combo T4/T3.

Sorry I have no tips to stop it happening!

[Hidden in reply to Lalatoot]

Yes, this sounds very familiar!! It's just so frustrating. I've had a dose increase but I'm looking at 3 months of settling in time for that but the way I feel now, 3 months feels intolerable. (Bloods in 6 weeks but I need longer to adjust to the dose.)

Just feel like life if getting away from me; I'm struggling at work and I'm struggling at home. Thought a holiday would do me good but it's doing me worse! 😒

[Lalatoot in reply to Hidden]

I have spent many a time on holiday trying to distract myself from my anxiety. Fully sympathise.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

You just had dose increase in l think?

This is likely the cause and should settle as you get use to higher dose

You could try splitting the levothyroxine into two doses …bedtime and very early morning

Have you had change in brand of levothyroxine?

Meanwhile plenty of vitamin C helps support adrenals

stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

I did! But only 5 days ago and felt poorly the day of the increase. Would it have happened that quickly?

No change in brand.

If no improvement soon I'll trial splitting the dose.

In the meantime plenty of vit C! Thank you, SD.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Yes…..as soon as increase levothyroxine can cause symptoms…..due to high Ft4

[Bluedragon]

Hi plant lady. I’m going to talk herbal support. Adrenal tonics such as Tulsi, Sarsaparilla and licorice. Note - do not take licorice if have high blood pressure. Nervines such as Avena- milky oatseed, skullcap and vervain. Of course adaptogens- Ashwaghanda, Siberian gingseng, rhodiola and Rosemary. Add in some rose. Do you need to release emotion - liver herbs such as buplerum, dandelion and burdock. A mix of these would be great. Are you Uk, if so, Baldwin’s or Indigo as supplier. A herbalist would put together a blend especially for you.

Of course, what is more important is to look at why are you feeling like this? And what can be done to relieve it. It’s not just about the symptoms, it’s the cause. Meditation, yoga, exercise, a great diet, dance.

[Hidden in reply to Bluedragon]

I was thinking of seeing a herbalist; my own knowledge is poor despite an interest. But I've just spent £180 on a private Endo so funds are slim.

The cause is simply life demanding more than I can give and I'm already whittled down to the bare bones.

[Bluedragon in reply to Hidden]

Are you Uk or elsewhere? If Uk I can point you in direction of professional bodies.

[Hidden in reply to Bluedragon]

Yes, in UK.

[DippyDame]

I recently posted about a similar experience with stress. - family illness, care and bereavement.

Looking back I didn't realise how exhausted and stressed I had become and the adrenals were possibly fatigued by producing excess cortisol due to that.....so low.

I'm T3 only and since stress is "hungry" for T3 I'm convinced my cellular T3 level plummeted and I crashed....I ended up in A& E!! All tests/scan were fine, they hadn't a clue why I felt so ill!! Sent me home with a bag of painkillers, so basically I had to work it out by myself.

The practice nurse suggested rest, plenty of water and a good book! I'm retired so I did that and eventually got out of bed but I'm not there yet. I still flop very quickly, thankfully I have a supportive husband.

I increased my T3 dose ( it had been 75mcg) slowly and I've just increased to 87.5mcg and there is a slight improvement but far too soon to be certain. But, I think I'm on the right track! Lots of vit C also needed to support adrenals.

I've just started to take an adrenal cocktail for support, you might find it helpful.

botanicahealth.co.uk/the-ad...

Hopefully FT3 will be included in your next test....it may be low.

I'm afraid it just takes time, tweaking thyroid meds, adrenal support and the elimination of stress factors. All a bit daunting...but with time, effective.

Take care

DD