I have been having very clear high cortisol problems. My private saliva tests showed this. But my GP was only interested if it was Cushings. I have been on T3 only since 2016, 20mcg prescribed by my original endo and the rest self funded. When the cortisol problem became severe (very high BP and periods of afib) I was prescribed BP meds and Antidepressants for high anxiety. I hadnt seen an endo since mine retired and I was happy to self test and adjust T3. This cortisol problem was seen as Cushings by my ill informed GP and today I had an appt with a new endo. I was terrified that my T3 would be blamed and my prescription stopped.
I was so wrong. I went armed with my folder of tests and info on cortisol (and my poor husband lol) but after looking for symptoms of Cushings and offering me the overnight hospital stay to test, the young man I saw was happy that my tests showed the cortisol level was going down and will monitor over time. He also agreed that my FT3 was still a little low at half way through the range (I had reduced my T3 because I'd been unable to tolerate a higher dose while my cortisol was so high) He recommended B vits to help and there was no question of removing T3.
I will take any advice on lowering cortisol though I'm also aware that the high level followed by decrease could be the beginning of adrenal failure so I will continue testing in case my cortisol drops low.
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jezebel69
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The above link mentions phosphatidylserine, DHEA, and ginkgo biloba as being useful in reducing cortisol, but as far as I know, only the first and the third mentioned are available in the UK.
Expensive and is taken up to three times a day. Dose would have to be confirmed with further research.
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Phosphorylated serine (Seriphos by Interplexus)
Related but not exactly the same as PS. There is a brand name product called Seriphos that some people find very helpful. I don't know of any other sources or manufacturers.
Expensive but only has to be taken once a day. Dose would have to be confirmed with further research.
Both the above appeared to be popular, some swearing by one of them, others swearing by the other. Bear in mind that my research was done 10 years ago for this.
Note that neither of the above should be taken for more than three months, although my reading suggested that many people take it much longer than that. I have never taken PS and only tolerated Seriphos for a month before I switched to Holy Basil.
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Holy Basil
Much cheaper than either of the above but I think it doesn't work for many people. I tolerated it well and was absolutely desperate when I started it, so I took more than the recommended dose. I'm not suggesting that this is a good idea!!!!!
The product I use is Swanson Holy Basil Leaf Stress Support. The suggested dose is 2 capsules a day. When I first started taking it I tried increasing the dose and got up to 8 capsules a day, but then pulled back to 6 capsules a day, taking 2 capsules, up to three times a day. I gradually reduced my intake over several months and years, and currently take 1 capsule in the evening, but very occasionally, if my insomnia is crippling me, I might take 2 capsules in the evenings. I've been taking Holy Basil for about 8 years (I think).
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Other possibilities...
I've read mentions of B vitamins helping to reduce cortisol, and vitamin C. I can't say they've ever worked for me.
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One of my pet hates is the standard advice on the internet to get more sleep to help reduce cortisol. What they never tell me is how to achieve that miracle. I've had severe insomnia since I was a child, and it started over 50 years ago. Just telling me to sleep is NOT going to work.
Thankyou humanbean - that's a lot of useful information. My cortisol appears to be falling now but I won't be sure if it's returning to normal or dropping lower into adrenal insufficiency. Zinc supplements along with vit d have helped. Magnesium really helps me sleep but has to be via a foot soak.
Magnesium really helps me sleep but has to be via a foot soak.
Is this just the way you like to take your magnesium or have you found the foot soak to be more effective for sleep than taking magnesium in tablet/capsule form?
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