Cortisol/DHEA advice

[Guest guest]

Hello all

I've been on and off this list for over two years now, and been

lurking for some time, but need a bit of advice today.

I'm taking 2 grains Armour and have been for the past 16 months, and

started taking Armour 2 years ago. I tried taking more (2 ½ grains)

and less last year, but neither time did I feel well – I felt much

worse. 2 grains seemed to be my best equilibrium. But what with the

perimenopause complicating things I haven't been feeling well at all

over the past few months – and had a horrendous three week holiday in

August where I was exhausted almost the whole time.

I interpret this as an Adrenal problem, and I have finally had a

salivary adrenal test. As it happens I had my TFTs done the same

day. Here are all the results:

Cortisol:

8 am – 16.5 (12-33)

12.00 – 3.7 (10-28)

4.00 – 5.4 (6-11.8)

Midnight – 1 (1-5)

Salivary DHEA:

8 am – 6.2 (7-18.3)

12.00 – 4.6 (4.8-8.2)

4.00 – 3.8 (3.5-6)

Midnight – 4 (2-4)

TFTs:

Free T4: 13.3 (7.5-21.1)

Free T3: 4.7 (3.5-6.5)

TSH: 0.84 (0.34-5.6)

The tests were done on what I would consider was a " reasonable day " ,

so I imagine that if they were done on a bad day, they would be much

worse. It seems to me my adrenals are indeed suffering and this may

account for why I still don't feel well (tired days, bad days,

reasonable days, mood swings, depression). I'm seeing my thyroid

doctor on Tuesday, but as he is a homeopath he may not be able to

advise on these results. I would be interested to have some comments

from members and also pointers as to where to get hold of

Cortisol/cortisone supplements and how much to take (DHEA I can get

in H & B – but how much to take?)

Thanks

Katy