Adrenals
Symptoms
- I spent 10 days at 8000 feet running and mountain biking. I could only do about half of what I typically do, and I was totally fatigued and debilitated the entire time. I didn't lose a single pound. This is like nothing I have ever experienced before.
- My doctor upped my dose of Nature-Thyroid by a quarter grain. After the increased dosage I had blood sugar problems, depression, anxiety and fear. I backed down and I started to feel better. Do you think it could be my adrenals that made me feel so bad?
- How do I improve low energy, joint and muscle pain, and pressure headaches?
- I experience increased weakness and low blood sugar during moderate exercise, mainly walking. I eat strictly Paleo and very little sugar, so I don't think it is caused by the food I am eating. What else can cause reactive hypoglycemia?
- I’ve tried several thyroid medications and I’m still struggling with energy, brain fog etc. I am concerned that I could have Schmidt Syndrome or another endocrine issue. What is your view on the ACTH STIM testing to reveal the full adrenal response?
- I started taking T4 only medications and experienced hypoglycemia, weight gain, gastritis, felt faint, had bloating and kidney problems, and my urine had blood in it. I have the same side effects on all thyroid medications. What could be causing this?
Testing
- I have a suppressed TSH with past papillary thyroid cancer, weight loss resistance, and I tend to feel hot. Estradiol, FSH and LH are normal, SMBG is high, and progesterone is low. Would you investigate the pituitary or just overall hormone dysregulation?
- Can I do the adrenal test and be on LDN?
- My blood pressure always drops after I stand up, so I'm going to be monitoring this while supplementing for my adrenals. Does it matter how much it goes up when standing up?
- Five years ago I did DiagnosTechs free cortisol with 4 spit bottles; morning was depressed, noon, afternoon, and midnight were normal. Now, my cortisol saliva shows 8 am is low and 11:59 is 4.2. What do you think about these results?
- My TSH, T3 and T4 are all low. In the past, my TSH has always been high. What could be causing this? Could a pituitary issue develop many years after Hashimoto’s?
- Could phosphatidylserine, vitamin C, magnesium, and fish oil supplements be confounding factors in my adrenal lab results? I have a reversed sleep/wake cycle due to my shift work schedule.
Supplements
- What is lemon balm helpful for?
- How many licorice drops would you recommend?
- How long should I stay on the Rootcology Adrenal Support formula?
- My cortisol is low all day. When do I take licorice drops?
- Is it okay to take DHEA supplements with family history of breast cancer?
- Pregnenolone gives me acne. Why would it do that?
Anxiety & Stress
- I keep investigating what’s going on with my body as I feel there’s still this missing piece. Could it be my sleep and my stress?
- I am a worrier. For example, I get stressed out when I’m not up to speed in your course, and that keeps my brain too active before bed. So, I think a lot of my issues have to do with my sleep. Do you have any suggestions?
- Do you have any knowledge of Magnetic Brain Stimulating Therapy?
- What root causes of Hashimoto’s do you think are related to anxiety? I have seen mention of the use of probiotics to treat social anxiety. Do you have any good articles or references that discuss this?
- What about those of us who are happy in our personal lives? Why does Hashimoto's still affect us, even when we've made diet and supplement changes?
- I don't know how to fix issues with feeling loved and appreciated (as it seems my family doesn't care right now). Do you have any suggestions?
Hormones
- I've always had irregular menses. My progesterone was low, but nothing was ever done to treat it. In the last year, my periods became more erratic. I've not done adrenal testing. Are there other hormone markers, I should check? Would ZRT be sufficient
- Are greasy hair and back acne caused by hormonal imbalance?
- What roles does estrogen dominance play in Hashimoto's?
- I'm perimenopausal and my Naturopathic doctor would like me to start on replacement therapy, the Wiley protocol. My mom has breast cancer, so I'm a little wary. I know this is not your forte but I would love to know what you think?
- With perimenopause, I experience vaginal dryness and low estrogen. I found a product called Macadam; main ingredient Lepidium meyenii. The product claims to help balance hormones. Have you heard of it? Do you have any recommended lubricants?
- I’m 53 and in addition to having Hashimoto's I also have perimenopause. The symptoms are similar. My guess is there’s no way of knowing. What is your suggestion or recommendations for experiencing symptoms of low estrogen?
General Questions
- What can I do for pituitary issues?
- How do I lower my cortisol levels when my antibodies are coming down, but my cortisol and T3 levels are high?
- What’s likely putting the most stress on my adrenals?
- I have issues with sleep. My Functional Medicine doctor was thinking that I’m not utilizing my serotonin, because I have tried melatonin in the past but it kind of made me irritated. Do you have any recommendations?
- Does hypothyroid cause adrenal fatigue, or is it only that adrenal fatigue causes hypothyroid?
- You mentioned that having low cholesterol was not good. My cholesterol is 145 and I have Stage 3 adrenal fatigue. What can I do to raise it? I eat a low carb diet with lots of healthy fats.