Adrenal glands

[Natz36]

Hi is there anyone in this group please who has one adrenal gland ?

I had mine removed years ago due to Cushing syndrome

I’m just wondering if it’s possible that my other adrenal gland may not be working?

I’m not any medication anymore as the endocrinologist was happy with my progress after the removal and being on steroids for a while

Thanks

[humanbean]

Hidden had Cushing's. She may be able to help.

[Aunt_Jen-Jen]

Hi Natz,Can you get your adrenal levels tested again?

There are adrenal supplements--but people here are saying *not* to take them.

Dr. Berg on YouTube has lots of videos on adrenal function!! (He does not recommend adrenal supplements but explains adrenal function.)

Aunt Jen-Jen

[Natz36 in reply to Aunt_Jen-Jen]

Hi

Seeing also low regarding my ferritin and it goes lower after periods.

Last time it was tested my ferritin it was 51 and I felt awful.

I have come off the iron as I didn’t think it was helping but I’ve been feeling terrible so now am back taking it .

It’s just the balance issues and feel like I’m drugged it’s horrible and scares me x

[Hidden in reply to Natz36]

Please don't take any adrenal supplements!!! As Humanbean has said I have had Cushing's Disease although mine was caused by a pituitary tumour my function never returned so I am still on Hydrocortisone. Have you had your cortisol levels checked recently? When did you have your adrenalectomy? You could ask your GP to do an early morning cortisol to see what it is but make sure you get copies of your results as GP's rarely understand them. If you post them on here I can help you. If you are on Facebook then I run a group called Cushing's UK for people with any form of Cushing's either past or present. facebook.com/groups/2207009...

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I would never take supplements as I react to most .

I had it 2004 and I was obviously on hydrocortisone to help after it then I was eventually weaned off as the endocrinologist said that I am able to cope with just one .

I have found out I have low ferritin and as soon as I come off it I start feeling so poorly.

Just been feeling down and not sure what’s going on as when I explain too doctors that coming off iron makes me feel worse they always disagree and say it’s not that x

[Hidden in reply to Natz36]

It's worth getting your Vit B12 & Vit D tested as they can impact on your health as well. If iron is helping you then I would continue taking it. I think that it's so long following your adrenalectomy it isn't likely to be due your other adrenal gland. Have you had your thyroid levels checked?

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks my b12 is 800 and vitamin d was low but I’m supplementing .Yes I’ll stick too the iron but if I take too much I don’t feel right so I think I need to find a balance and not have it every day .

Also I have bloods booked for the end of November including thyroid x

[Hidden in reply to Natz36]

Try & get cortisol added to it but make sure they are done first thing in the morning

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks I will definitely sort it out soon as possible but I’m thinking this may be ferritin and unfortunately I may just have to stay on it for the rest of my life until my periods stop x

[Aunt_Jen-Jen in reply to Hidden]

Oh thank you--I will be careful!

[Aunt_Jen-Jen in reply to Natz36]

Regarding ferritin:Mine was low, too. I was exhausted and felt like cr*p.

I had to try DIFFERENT iron supplements, to get the right one.

Some of them made me feel more tired--presumably because of additives or the "inactive" ingredients?--and I had to trash them.

I'm not giving medical advice, but for me, the iron that fixed my low ferritin...and did not make me feel like cr*p...was the cheapest on the shelf: plain ferrous gluconate, with nothing else in it.

Also important are the B vitamins (the right kinds) since they help to rebuild red blood cells, which carry oxygen to all cells!

[serenfach]

I have one adrenal gland. All I find is that if I get a shock, I tremble for hours, and my heart rate is through the roof. I have to walk up and down to try and stop it, as walking is all I can do at the time, and then not in a straight line! It is all over my medical notes not to give me adrenaline, but I have caught them twice not reading the notes and the injection has adrenaline. I think my lonely little adrenal gland is trying to do the work of two and gets it wrong. It has never been tested.

[Hidden in reply to serenfach]

Was your adrenal gland removed or were you born with just one gland? Adrenaline is made in the medulla part of the adrenal gland but needs cortisol (made in the cortex) to work with it. It sounds as though you should ask to have your cortisol levels checked to see if they are low. your GP can do an early morning cortisol blood test done between 8-9am in the morning. make sure you get copies of the results as GP's rarely understand them.

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

Yes it was removed as I had a tumour on it .

What symptoms would I have if it is my cortisol levels do you know ?

I don’t want too feel scared and worried but yes I think I will ask my doctor again to sort this out as I put it off last time

X

[Hidden in reply to Natz36]

If you r cortisol levels are low then you would likely to be losing weight, have low blood pressure, may have nausea going onto vomiting & diarrhoea. Feeling faint & may pass out.

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

No I don’t have those symptoms.My heart rate can be high especially if my iron is dropping x

[Hidden in reply to Natz36]

It sounds like then what you are experiencing is due to something else rather than due to low cortisol.

[Natz36 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I do think it’s my ferritin causing this and it could be thyroid.Usually when my bloods come back it’s my ferritin low all the time x