More test results… this time cortisol… help please

[Eimear78]

Hi everyone.

I’ve got some results from a cortisol saliva test I did recently.

What do you think? Does this mean I am getting adrenal fatigue? I had an SST 4 years ago and was told I was fine but had low cortisol in a previous blood test

Also DHEA supplementation???

A bit confused

Thanks

Eimear

[radd]

Eimear78

You are already adrenal fatigued with a dip at lunchtime and bed time, and DHEA very low. Dr Peatfield would suggest adrenal glandulars to support adrenal reserves. I didn’t get on with them but many members do.  

After years of being low I found my adrenals bounced back, both cortisol & DHEA after optimising iron/nutrients and adding T3 to Levo. You are already medicating T3 but results were elevated on previous test results and then established could possibly be even higher due to test timings. All hormones work together and elevations in one place will result in deficiencies in another. Did you reduce T3 meds as this will be stressing the adrenals further?

High T3 elevates SHBG and so testosterone & oestrogen that are influenced by this protein carrier. DHEA-S (metabolite of DHEA) is a precursor of the sex hormones oestrogen and testosterone. I was completely deficient in O & P.  If you are (peri-)menopausal you might benefit from body-identical HRT as this was the cherry on top for me and made my thyroid hormones work so much better. If you want to supplement DHEA you will need a prescription as it is a controlled drug in UK.

I had terrible insomnia (which exacerbates cortisol issues further) and was told melatonin was most likely low, and if staying asleep between 2 - 4pm is an issue then blood glucose problems are also playing a part. Melatonin is a prescription-only in the UK but I found 5-HTP helpful, some members like tryptophan. 5-HTP comes from tryptophan (amino acid) and increases seratonin production, which dictated by darkness & normalised circadian behaviours naturally converts to melatonin. 

I also took 3g Vit C daily, broke meals down into smaller portions more times a day and ate protein at every meal, addressed gut issues identified through a stool sample. I practice yoga/meditation anyway but enrolled in courses to make a bigger commitment.

Lots of members have Stim tests that only tells that adrenals can react to the injection and not what is actually happening long term. If you are interested in the glandulars put another post out titled something like 'Adrenavive experiences' as I'm not proficient with them

[Eimear78 in reply to radd]

Hi radd

Sorry for the radio silence. I want to make time to reply and forgot. Thank you though.

I am going to send this to my endocrinologist but have been dithering as it’s private and a bit pricey at the moment so trying to figure stuff myself.

I think I have a gut issue which is hindering the absorption of nutrients. I eat well and supplement but it wouldn’t say they are optimised.

I only reduced my t3 by 5mcg last week so it won’t have an impact yet.

I will look at the adrenals but not sure about the DHEA. I do think my low testosterone from a test in Feb is a big factor in me not being able to build muscle in the gym and insulin resistance. Maybe the DHEA is affecting this.

My plan has been to:

Increase my Levothyroxine to see if I can optimise my hormones that way as consistently low T4 may have been a problem

Tackle the cortisol issue

Figure out if I have a gut issue so if you have a tip on how to work it out and sort it that would be great.

Work out if have any intolerances.

I’m wondering if I have to do anything else?