Results ( confused )

[ColdBanana]

Does anyone know what it means when your temperature wobbles more than 0.5c, but cortisol is actually not LOW, but high? I was not on any kind of supplements at the time of this test. But I did wake up once during the night before waking again in the morning. I was also a bit stressed at the time I did the morning cortisol test so that could explain why it was slightly over range..

But I was not expecting a high result at all. I thought my adrenals were low in cortisol since NDT had zero effect on me but I guess not?

Feel pretty much awful all the time. And cold.

All of my results are here ibb.co/album/smVpgr

What do you guys think ?

Thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Results show

Vitamin D too low

No Ft3 result visible

No B12 or folate results

Remember to stop taking vitamin B complex 5-7 days before any blood test

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

Yeah i stopped taking supplements about a week prior i think. I didnt get b12 tested but it has never been low for me (in the past ), and my b complex has a MEGA dose of it. Is the ft3 result visible now by the way?

Ft3 was 5.2

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

If not the result was 5.2 (3.1-6.8)

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ColdBanana]

Looking at previous posts……are you taking NDT or Levo

are these thyroid results from before starting treatment?

Or most recent results

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

Yeah BEFORE. i self sourced some ndt to give them a try but i havent taken any yet(thyroid-s). I tried two other ndts in the past and they had no effect on me at all. So i just assumed my cortisol might be low which is why i had that tested too

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Suggest you improve vitamin D as first step

Are you taking magnesium supplement as well at bedtime

Retest vitamin D, Folate, B12 and thyroid levels in another 3-4 months

[radd]

CB,

You asked (by pm) do I think it is possible to have weak adrenals with normal cortisol levels? You have a weakness in that they are working too hard and producing too much free cortisol as your morning & lunchtime levels are over range. You are aiming  for a normalised pattern (spoon shaped within range without peaks and dips in the middle). Usually high levels mean the body is stressed and it can be mentally, physically or both. 

These saliva levels only tell you the amount of free and not totals. If adrenals are working (eg not diseased), then we try manipulating them to perform better with optimised nutrients and iron, and possibly adrenal supports.

You are making the assumption that it is just one thing (your adrenals) that is preventing your thyroid hormones from working well (and allowing you warm temps) but it is most likely multiple. And once you get on the right path, warmer temps are an excellent indication but they may not happen straight away. I experienced day time warmth first but warmth when I was tired took many years to accomplish. Now my temps are normal at any time of the day and can tolerate both heat and cold.

Your TSH is too high and FT3 is higher than FT4 in someone not medicating that too can indicate the body trying to hang onto some sort of wellbeing. I agree with SD that you need to optimise nutrients, iron, etc. You say you have previously taken NDT but did you actually need it as opposed to Levo? Are you supplementing selenium? Are you taking any adrenals supports? 

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

Thanks.

At the time of my blood tests, and my saliva cortisol test. I was not taking any supplements what so ever. Since, I've started myself on a b complex + d3. I am also eating more red meat to increase my iron.

And to be honest, No. Any thyroid hormone I have right now or have had in the past has been self sourced, since I fall within the normal range. I do have some thyroid on hand, but I don't know if it's worth using at this point since it never worked for me before.

I also have adrenal support in my cupboard, but i'm not taking that either. I was waiting to see what my cortisol came back as. Now I'm really lost.

[radd in reply to ColdBanana]

CB,

If your TSH is high and thyroid hormones are falling it doesn't mean you necessarily need NDT that contains both T4 & T3. You may just need some Levo (T4) but won't know how well you can convert thyroid hormone replacement medication until have taken Levo for several months.

If you offer the body what it doesn't need in terms of thyroid hormone, it can make you feel unwell, alter other systems and take a while to recover from.

If your adrenal supplements are the glandulars you previously posted about, I myself wouldn't take them with high cortisol but try something like Ashwagandha or Holy Basil, but be careful becasue these adaptogens can also be powerful. I can't remember if you have Hashi or not?

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

Thanks, i will have a look at those supplements yoymu mentioned. I think you're probably right about the adrenal cortex i was thinking about taking. Probably a bad idea with my cortisol levels.And no to my knowledge i dont have hashis or a diagnosed thyroid condition. Suppose if i wait till my tsh gets higher i could always try the levo instead of the ndt like you say

[radd in reply to ColdBanana]

CB,

It depends how ill you feel. Some people 'manage' for a long time without 'sufficient' thyroid hormones but others need to replace straight away. It is worth noting that if you are struggling and leave it, then other systems start breaking down too and it recovery takes longer.

You can buy Levo from abroad but this will normalise your test results and you are unlikely to ever get a hypothyroidism diagnosis. Without Hashi it is also difficult to confirm hypo as in not transient until results are more dire. You are stuck between a rock and a hard place as many members on this forum are.

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

What would you think would be the best thing to do in this situation ?

[radd in reply to ColdBanana]

CB,

You haven't filled out your bio, only been here a few weeks and I haven't read all your posts so can't really add anything to my above reply.

Regarding meds - I myself self sourced when my T3 meds were withdrawn (twice!) but its a lonely worrisome business and I had a confirmed Hashi diagnose so my situation was completely different to yours.

Regarding sups - Follow SD's advice and add selenium and an adaptogen to help cortisol normalise.

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

Anything ive ever had tested relating to this is in the screenshots above so there really isnt anything else to see. But yeah, i guess i could try the thyroid-s i self sourced and see what happens. Dunno what else to try to be honest. Maybe the thyroid-s will be a better product compared to what i tried before

[radd in reply to ColdBanana]

CB,

You can not confirm a thyroid condition based on one set of TFT's (thyroid function test) with results that risk assay interference as confirmed by MMH.

Have you had any previous labs done by your GP?

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

They tested the bloods a second time and assured me they were accurate through email. I have had bloods done through my doctor yes, but usually late afternoon - /evening. And to tell you the truth, the last time i had my thyroid tested at the doctors was a few years ago, and my tsh at that point was 3.3-3.4. So makes sense for my tsh to be higher now since it is several years later & tested at the right time of the day

[radd in reply to ColdBanana]

CB,

Why don't you tell you GP of your further symptoms and ask for another TFT?

It would be better to get a diagnosis and Levo through your GP as will then have ongoing monitoring and free prescriptions (if in England).

I wouldn't take NDT with FT3 5.2 (3.1 - 6.8) as you risk these levels easily going over range.

[ColdBanana in reply to radd]

Honestly, i've been put off after hearing how many people have had issues with t4 only. If nothing else works for me though theres a chance i might trial it to see if it improves my symptoms a bit since i know theres no 1 size fits all.

by the way, does it even matter if ft3 goes over range ? Just curious because i remember reading that the t3 in the blood does not necessarily reflect what our cells are absorbing. This is what Tom Brimeyer says anyway. Which i feel makes sense, because my t3 is in a good range right now already, yet i still dont feel well. If t4 therapy works for me, surely it is simply increasing my t3 the same way NDT or t3 would, or am i wrong ? Because it is t3 that is the active thyroid hormone, not t4. The only way to relieve symptoms is to surely increase t3 ? So no matter what i do i will end up elevating my t3 , if my body needs it.

Are you taking t4 only or did you say you were on just t3 by the way? Would be curious to know how you got on with either if you dont mind.

[Bearo]

lots of people do well on just Levo - T4. I just take Levothyroxine and I convert well so I have enough FT3.

I had to improve some vitamin levels when I was diagnosed. I think this is a good first step.