Hello all, hope everyone is well. Looking for some advice please.
Here is some background info:
I had thyroidectomy 1992
8 weeks ago thyroid test results were shocking! TSH 11.9-------T4 at bottom of range-----T 3 tad in range. Hence levo was increased from 50mcg alternative days, to 50mcg daily. Been on 50 levo daily for 8 weeks now and done retest today. By no means do I expect thyroid test results to come back anywhere near optimal, suspect they might be below mid range. For reasons too complicated to explain I have to increase levo in lowish increments and retest after each small increase of levo.
Basically, I am hypothyroid, and was planning to do cortisol saliva test tomorrow. Question is can hypothyroid status affect cortisol test results, and in what way?
Really would appreciate some feedback.
Have a rewarding day
Written by
DizzyD
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TBH any test is just a snap shot in time which needs looking at in context.... if you are struggling to increase your thyroxine it could well be that your cortisol levels are tripping you up... either elevated as your body tries to deal with the stress involved by the lack of thyroid hormones... or if it's been doing that for a long time and your adrenals are struggling it could be that you have low cortisol... either way it messes with your ability to tolerate, uptake and use the hormones
The test will be handy in the sense that you will know when your levels are in the best place which is very helpful when using T3, I'm not so sure about T4 as it is slowly absorbed by most so less of a spike, but maybe you buck the trend?..... So it could be really helpful 🤗
It's a bit hard to follow your dosing... are you still taking 30mcg NDT?
Thank you Eeyore 100 for most welcome reply. Yes I am still taking 30mcg NDT alongside 50 levo. Adrenals are definitively stressed out which has a counter effect on thyroid hormones.
Hypothyroidism is linked to low cortisol output, as T4/T3 hormone controls metabolism, and if low, can reduce the function of the adrenal glands. So, you can go ahead and take the cortisol saliva test, as it will show you if your cortisol is too low. Low cortisol will affect your circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle) i.e fatigue when you wake up. The x4 saliva samples are best to measure cortisol properly, as it fluctuates through the day. If it's just 1 sample, then aim to take it within 30 mins - 1 hour of waking up.
So, it's always good to check and support adrenal glands too, if you are hypothyroid. The symptoms are quite similar, so you don't want to overdo the Levo, if in fact it's your adrenals that are also struggling. Better to support the adrenals, and see if your symptoms improve, before increasing Levo too much.
Hi Naturopathic my metabolism is poor, especially in the morning up to 1pm afternoon, due to hypothyroid which in turn has a knock on effect to cortisol output. Energy picks up afternoon time. By evening time have more energy can walk dog on longish treks, walking at a steady pace for over an hour. Could walk for longer but don't want to push it an stress adrenals too much.Suspect I have low cortisol morning time which rises gradually by evening/night time. Circadian rhythm really is out of sync...sleep is a problem. Adrenal test is the x4 saliva sample. I have seriphos for adrenal support, have not used it yet because not sure when to take it. Do you have any idea when would be the appropriate time to take the seriphos?
Sincere thanks...Really appreciate help and advice.
Hi Eeyore thank you for the link, really informative, left me wanting to see a naturopath to help me sort out adrenal issue. Have tried to find a reputable one here in UK but was unable to find one locally. I not techno savvy at all so have no idea what you mean by tagging Naturopathic!!!! Have sent her another msg, will she see it or not?
I tagged her in by putting @ before her name (and then you click on their name for it to turn blue) as you hadn't actually replied to her but yourself so she wouldn't have been notified... it is all a bit confusing but for someone to know you have responded you need to press the reply button under their post.
I like the idea of a naturopath but like you say finding a good one... 😵
Hi DizzyD, The Seriphos supplement is great and supports adrenals and calms the nervous system, but it can also lower cortisol for people who are stressed and over secreting it, so may not be ideal for you - if you have poor adrenal function. You'll have to see what the test shows.
Cortisol should be at its highest in the morning - it's the hormone that wakes us up. But, then it should naturally decline through the day to be low in the evening so that you can go back to sleep. The test will show you the pattern over the day, so will be helpful. You can then look at re-balancing your circadian rhythm by getting up and out in the morning - exercise and sunlight first thing, helps to naturally raise cortisol levels. And avoid coffee to get you going in the morning - try to do it naturally to reset your rhythm.
Hi going by past cortisol saliva tests, I have low cortisol in the morning which gradually raises throughout the day, high at night. So would it be okay to take Seriphos when cortisol peaks during evening time? Despite having low energy morning time, I took your advice this morning regarding getting out and about in the great outdoors to help reset circadian rhythm. Had long walk 90 mins...Was lovely!! Ten minutes after getting home had awful AFib attack. Grrr!
I suspect the walking caused too much stress which triggered the afib. Is this possible?
Where in UK would I find a reputable Naturopath? London too far away though.
Have a wonderful evening. Sincere thanks you for informative reply.
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