Saliva testing

[morena]

Hi everyone; after a lot of confusion Ive finally worked out that its the adrenal function test that Genova do by saliva testing; is this right, can anyone confirm it?

Thanks

[Clarebear]

Yes - I have had it done x

[morena]

Thanks Clarebear; was it

helpful??

[Clarebear]

Yes - it showed lowish cortisol first thing, low at lunch time, low in the evening and high at night. As a result I adopted the CT3M method of treating adrenals and started to feel much better. xx

[morena]

I have no idea what all this means - I dare say I will learn; (CT3M?) does high cortisol at night mean that you find it difficult to sleep?

[Clarebear]

Hi morena - yes the high cortisol at night was probably contributing to my insomnia. The CT3M is a way of taking a T3 containing medicine (in my case Armour) to support the adrenals by providing T3 during the main cortisol production window which is thought to be in the last few hours of sleep before you get up. In my case I am taking 1 grain of Armour at 5.00am. This seems to have helped me enormously xx

[morena]

This is very helpful to me as I've suffered from insomnia for many years, always waking early in the morning, and often getting very little sleep, which often left me exhausted, I'm used to it now, but If there's a way I can change that, that in itself will drastically improve the quality of my life! I have ordered the book about adrenal function a few days ago.

(Im on levo but to be honest would rather try the naturethroid if i can possibly find a way of doing so.. Does levo contain T3?).

Thank you so much.

M.

[Clarebear in reply to morena]

No levo only contains T4 which has to be converted to T3 in the body - mainly the liver I think. Naturethroid does contain T3 so would be a good choice if you want to try the CT3M.

Here is a link to Paul Robinson's website - he has written a book about T3 and discovered the CT3M (circadian T3 Method):

recoveringwitht3.com/blog/m...

Clare xx

[mstp]

When I had the saliva test I was using some cream for my psoriasis which contained cortisol and it gave me a very strange result so please bear this in mind for a few days before you do the test as it proved to be a costly mistake.

[snowstorm]

Had a saliva test some 18 months ago; bearing in mind had done a lot of other tests including Dr Wilson's questionnaire which were really conclusive to adrenal problem which came out moderate to severe adrenal fatigue.. However, NHS will not accept privately done tests ; two endos refused to even look at it. Cortisol bloods always came back normal including both synatchens therefore - no adrenal problem!!! ha ha ha hahahahahahaha. Intolerant to T4, trialling T3 and already have had a to have a week off from it & I only take 1/4 of 20mg tablet daily. So, I know am on my own. On self perscribed Vit D 3 (no calcium). "Cos I was in range (50 to 250 range) I was 54 therefore no suggestion of supplementing.

We are all in the position of helping ourselves. It is such a difficult road to travel.

[zita2 in reply to snowstorm]

Hi Snowstorm, can I ask why you had to 'have a week off' of the T3?

I too am hoping to try it but have had saliva tests done which show adrenal fatigue and am frightened the T3 will make it worse. Many thanks, Z

[snowstorm]

Hi zita, I had a week off because many of the old side effects from T4 returned and I can no longer cope or tolerate that situation. I find them/it debilitating and exhausting. My understanding is, that T3 should help the adrenals. But everyone is different. Do try it especially if T4 is out of the question for you. I started with 1/4 of 20 mg tablet every other day (may well have to go back to that) for a month then daily. It's only when have been on it for a few weeks (4 to 5)that things get really so intolerable again. Personally, I believe that I was treated for the wrong condition those years ago even though the TSH was 14.5 - not vindicative of thyroid disease. Regrettably TSH is the only blood test done. Hey ho.

Hope that helps. Storm.

[morena]

Hi Clarebear; thank you for all your help; just reading about the night rythms, is this one reason why some people take the meds at night rather than in the morning? Ive only just begun with levo and its probably too early to start trying to persuade the dr to start me on anyhting else; but maybe it would help to start taking it at night?? I had a really foggy day today and to be honest if this goes on Im better off without anything,