Cortisol Blood and Saliva Results Advice

[TiredMummy]

Hi everyone,

I did a cortisol blood test 11th Nov and the result was:

284 (166-507)

According to NICE guidelines, this fits into the ‘’test again” bracket. I mulled it over for a while as I’m trying to understand my insomnia symptoms, night time flushing, dark circles under my eyes, fatigue and unstable reaction to T3 I.e. sometimes it picks me up….sometimes it makes me bomb (nausea, headache, extreme fatigue). I decided to repeat the blood test and also do the saliva test to see if that provides any helpful information with regards to my symptoms and possible self treatments: timings of taking T3 and timings of taking adrenal cortex supplements (if required).

I now have the latest results:

Blood test: 229 (166-507) - so slightly lower than previous test, both taken at 8am fasting

Saliva test:

5:40 am Waking - 25.7 (<20.3) - so apparently high cortisol on waking

12 noon - 3.55 (1.6-5.6) - looks like a good balanced level

4pm - 2.31 (<6.94) - ok but towards lower end of spectrum

9:30pm bedtime - <1.5 (<7.56) - in range but right at the lower end

I’d be interested in any thoughts or advice on what this might mean with regards to best time to take T3 and whether or not to begin adrenal cortex supplementation.

My personal thoughts are to continue taking my T4 on rising, trial taking adrenal supplementation with lunch, trial taking my T3 in one dose somewhere between 10am and 4pm.

I’m also considering restarting HRT (Oestrogel daily and Utrogestan monthly on cyclical routine) to see if the oestrogen helps with the fatigue, insomnia and night time flushing. I only stopped the HRT 6 months ago as I wanted to focus on trying to get my thyroid medication right as a priority and as at the time, I couldn’t see the woods for the trees. I believe oestrogen may act as a steroid which may cause issues with my higher morning cortisol but conversely, my cortisol may be high as a result of adrenals under strain due to low oestrogen. Trial and error I know!

Thanks in advance for any comments xx

[Dahliasanddaisies]

As you're already on t3, have you thought about trying Paul Robinsons CT3M method? Rather than adding an adrenal supplement straight away? All info on his website x

[TiredMummy in reply to Dahliasanddaisies]

hi there, I did recently try taking T3 at 3am and felt terrible the next day and day after (in bed all day). I can’t remember if I just took my T3 and not the Levo though……Do you think I’m supposed to take my T4 also at 3am? I wonder…..

[sparkly]

Hi, the insomnia, night sweats and fatigue are likely down to perimenopause and I would recommended starting back on your estrogel and utrogestan.First off, your T3 could be knocked off kilter because you're in perimenopause as this happened to me. My private Endo started me on hrt and then worried about my thyroid medication.

Secondly, i know utrogestan doesn't help all ladies with sleep but if you are only taking it as you climb in bed then that could be your problem. I always take it about 7pm and by 9/10pm my bed is calling and gall asleep within 10/20 minutes. Before utrogestan I was a night owl and still awake 2/3am.

Also the night sweats are due to being peri. Once you start to get symptom relief with your estrogel then your thyroid meds should work normally again. Sex and thyroid hormones have a strong connection and for me it really threw the cat amongst the pigeons. I was a real mess and my T3 meds just wasn't working anymore. After finding the regimen that worked then was able to start back on T3.