Cortisol help please

[AKatieD]

Been feeling really tired for about 6 months and trying to work out why. The last thing I had added before this was testosterone to existing HRT, so I stopped that again about 4 months ago, so not an effect of that now.

I take T3 only, have not changed dose for some time and my results are towards top/ just over range. Been upping my folate/ B12/ vit D/ magnesium over the last few months to make sure not them causing tiredness.

The above saliva (free) cortisol results are from 2 months ago. At same time I did an 8am blood cortisol, which shows free and bound cortisol, as low at 206 (166-507). Seeing the saliva DHEA was low, saliva cortisol high but blood cortisol low, I added 25mcg DHEA hoping it would help regulate the cortisol ( thanks TiggerMe ).

I have just redone the test (see below) and now DHEA is within range (albeit not high), serum cortisol mid range at 292 ( 166-507) but saliva free cortisol even higher above range.

So confused as to what to do now - more/ less DHEA/ pregnenolone or something else. Feeling a bit better but not right. What do you suggest.

[AKatieD]

Cortisol level 2 months later

Cortisol 2 months later

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to AKatieD]

Hmmm... let's give this a bump up to see who of the high cortisol saliva group can give guidance... mine is still at the low end though DHEA much improved... I did try CBD oil but it dropped my cortisol... so maybe worth a look?

Could it be your T3 dose needs a little tweak now the weather has warmed up, I've just dropped mine by 5mcg ( though I'm on T4 too) and feel much more fired up 🤷‍♀️

[AKatieD in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks again, TiggerMe .

Perhaps a cut in T3 would help.

I got the Paul Robinson article that suggests high free cortisol and low total cortisol means undertreated thyroid, so I thought he was saying to take more. But that does not sound right as on big dose already.

One thing I have learnt is that my reactions tend to be contrary to the norm, so maybe less T3 is better at this point.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to AKatieD]

The great thing about T3 is you get pretty quick results so it's easier to see if it's the right move, I've been pretty unstoppable today 😁

[AKatieD]

Yes, t3 is brilliant for that. I could do with some of your energy pls

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to AKatieD]

Seems crazy doesn't it that a little less makes all the difference.... oh the illusive sweet spot 🙃

I noticed the difference within 2 days and still feeling more lively after a week🤞

[Incoguto]

I think you might need to reduce t3 a little. I personally have high blood serum and lowish saliva when hypo and lower blood serum cortisol and higher saliva. Once I was overreplaced, my salivary was off the charts, was tired, losing weight. Maybe tweak a little? What are your thoughts?

[AKatieD in reply to Incoguto]

Thanks both, will give it a go, easy to change if it doesn't work

[AKatieD]

Curiously, reduced T3 by 25mcg to 100mcg after last post and free T3 gone up!

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to AKatieD]

Excellent news 🤗 are you feeling better for this?

[AKatieD]

Definitely since the spring when I was really tired and before starting the DHEA, but tiredness coming back a little recently so guess I will reduce the T3 again! Time for another cortisol check too.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to AKatieD]

Sounds like you are tuned in and zoning in on your optimal dose

[AKatieD in reply to TiggerMe]

🤞

[Janne1979]

HRT affects your saliva test.

[AKatieD]

Yes, thanks, just not sure what to do about it. Paul Robinson suggested leaving HRT off for a week before testing but ended up with a bad Afib bout so that was a bit of a non-no.

[Blue_Lagoon]

Hi AKatieD, you have probably thought of this as you have been speaking to Paul Robinson but you don’t mention in your post that you’ve been supplementing iron. Have you had your ferritin tested?

[AKatieD]

Thanks for thinking of me. I am a haemochromatosis carrier so tendency is high iron rather than low

[Blue_Lagoon in reply to AKatieD]

Ah ok that would be why you’re not supplementing then! ☺️

[AKatieD]

Interesting cortisol update (well interesting to me anyway, lol) that I thought might be useful to others!

After adding in DHEA and then pregnenolone:

1) Cut back T3 ( originally 125mcg in upper quartile no range on blood test) and now on 50mcg ( about same place in range on blood test) so a huge cut, but blood level similar to when on much higher dose.

2) Saliva cortisol was off the top of the scale throughout day, now on lower side (upper quartile in early am, lower quartiles after that). Curiously I feel undermedicated thyroidwise but I expect this must be the lower cortisol.

So I guess I ease back on DHEA now as that was non-existant originally and now is a bit over range. Hoping that will increase cortisol a little and make me feel better.

Not sure if I should add back some T4 as some people suggest it is helpful compared to t3 only. But I did not used to feel like it did anything for me years ago, so not sure if worth trying now.