Re: Advice regarding Armour Thyroid

[Guest guest]

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. My condolences.

 

LH*

On Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 7:36 AM, vickiandrews6150 <vickiandrews6150@...> wrote:

 

Hello. I'd be grateful for a bit of advice please. I have been taking Adrenal Extra tablets for some time and started on Armour thyroid at the beginning of May. Initially I felt fantastic and have gradually raised the Armour to 2 gm per day. However, now I don't feel as full of energy as I did, although some of my symptoms are disappearing, such as puffy hands and face, ridges on nails and I have lost a little weight. I have had a lot of stress in my life recently as my mother died on the 29th April and I am currently bogged down with writing the many letters to banks, etc. in order to hand over information to the solicitor to obtain Probate. Also, I have to admit that I have been drinking several glasses of red wine a night in order to ease my stress! So, do you think that the current lack of energy is just that I am very stressed at the moment and, if so, what do you suggest that I do about it, please? I wonder if I am just expecting too much, too soon, as I have been ill with ME for 26 years now and have not had any energy for years. It was just that the few days of initial energy were fantastic and I thought that this would continue and get better as I raised the Armour. Please advise?

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki:

Well, you have a few things going on here so let's take one at a time and see if

anything fits. I can see where you situation is very stressful, losing a family

member and dealing with attorneys is no picnic. I'd say your adrenals are being

hit hard and need some extra support. If you aren't supporting the adrenals with

an adrenal glandular, isocort and celtic sea salt, they are probably sagging

under the pressure. I'd do that as soon as possible and I'd add in some

magnesium 400mg too.

The wine, although you probably need the relaxation vibes from it, isn't helping

the adrenals at all. Better to leave that for now. Whenever the adrenals are in

a position of malfunctioning or being put under pressure it will effect your

thyroid meds. We heal the adrenals first and then work on everything else. You

many want to back down on the thyroid meds, maybe take 1/2 to 1/4 grain less and

work on your adrenals for the next two weeks and see how things feel then.

Cheers,

JOT

> Hello. I'd be grateful for a bit of advice please. I have been taking Adrenal

Extra tablets for some time and started on Armour thyroid at the beginning of

May.

moderated to remove old messages!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much!

From: hurley <krigaren007@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, June 15, 2011 5:14:28 PMSubject: Re: Advice regarding Armour Thyroid

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. My condolences.

LH*

On Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 7:36 AM, vickiandrews6150 <

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am already taking adrenal glandular and loads of other adrenal supporting stuff, but will chase celtic sea salt and magnesium 400 mg. Where can I get Isocort, please, in the UK?

Funnily enough I have already reduced my Armour to 2 gm per day from 2.5 and I have given myself a good talking to regarding wine and have not had any tonight!

Thanks for the advice.

Vicki

From: jitterjotter <jitterjotter@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, June 15, 2011 6:27:04 PMSubject: Re: Advice regarding Armour Thyroid

Hi Vicki:Well, you have a few things going on here so let's take one at a time and see if anything fits.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Moderated to remove old messages.... please remember to trim off old messages leaving just a couple of lines of the old message.

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[Guest guest]

I'm not a doctor I can only offer my opinion. What action you take must be your decision, however I consider you remain hypothyroid and should increase your thyroid supplement.

HOWEVER, I would say you have adrenal fatigue and would need to support your adrenals. I will send you 'my' list of adrenal support. A tried and tested list of vits and minerals....including and in addition to the Adrenal Extra tablets.

I am sorry to hear about your mum; I lost mine earlier this year also. I am also sorry you are having to go through all of this.

Unless you take enough thyroid supplement you will remain hypo. If you have been hypo for that priod of time you must be patient in getting better....there is no magic pill but your body needs to heal itself too with your help.

adrenal supplements below:- Kind regards, Sally xx

OK I will take it as though you know a little something about the adrenal glands but not a lot; so I apologise if you know some of what I write here. What I am writing is very simplistic and again I apologise for that; but the whole thing is very complicated and would need me to write a book on the subject to go into things any deeper.

I know I will be tapped on the hand if I dont put a link/reference here so here goes:- f you would like to know more go to Fatigued to Fantastic a book by Dr Teitlebaum.

Both Thyroid and Adrenal glands (on top of each kidney) are part of the Endocrine system. When one is dyfunctional its likely the other is affected also.

There are many reasons why you have thyroid dysfunction and its likely due to some sort of stressor or trigger, even if have no family history. Both the stressor causing the thyroid dysfunction and the thyroid dysfunction itself causes the adrenal glands to increase the production of its hormones such as Adrenalin or Cortisol as it would do under stress. Further due to a likely high TISSUE calcium level due to hypothyroidism, you are likely short of magnesium. The adrenal glands adore magnesium and deficiency will affect them dearly.

ADRENAL GLANDS

The adrenal glands produce a vast number of steroid hormone which are absolutely essential to life itself,

such as the corticosteroid hormone Cortisol/hydrocortisone. This hormone controls the body's use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Also Corticosterone which works with cortisol to suppress the inflammatory reactions within the body, it also affects the immune system function. Aldosterone hormone controls the sodium levels excreted in the urine thus maintaining blood volume and blood pressure.

Androgenic steroid hormones which have some effect on male characteristics.

All of the above are released within the adrenal cortex or the outer portion of the adrenal glands alongside other hormones not listed here.

Then the medulla or the inner part of the adrenal gland produces its hormones (not so essential to life but help cope with physical and emotional stress). These are Adrenaline or epinephrine. Released during the fight or flight response to stress thus increasing both heart rate and the force of the heart contractions, it facilitates blood flow to the muscles and brain relaxes the smooth muscles and helps speed conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver for energy amongst other things.

Another hormone called noradrenaline or norepinephrine has strong vasocontrictive effects and thus increases the blood pressure.

ADRENAL FATIGUE

Describes the decreased ability of these little glands to carry out their normal function and thus symptoms such as tiredness occur. Stress can be emotional physical environmental or mental.When these stressors (or triggers) exceed the body's capacity to adjust properly to demands put on it by the stressors Adrenal Fatigue occurs.

Anyone suffers from this including the elderly the middle aged and even children. Chronic illness, hypothyroidism, yeast infection and malnutrition amongst other things such as disease, infection allergies and intense emotional and physical pressures or a toxic environments.

It is passed on to our children. You can recover.

MEDICAL

The adrenal glands can fail in a disease known as s disease due to hypo-adrenia. This is recognised by medical personnel. However, a milder form of hypo-adrenia is adrenal fatigue; this is not recognised by most medical personnel, this doesnt mean its not a real problem and further that is doesnt need supportive treatement.

Due to decreased immune system function as a consequence of adrenal fatigue you may suffer recurring infections, especially of the respiratory system (including mouth/throat). There is an increase in allergic reactions when you suffer adrenal fatigue. Further since Cortisol levels may be low there is an increase in inflammatory response and further allergies.

Adrenal fatgiue will commonly be seen if you suffer with yeast infections and also its highly likely your thyroid function will also be affected by yeast infection too. A yeast infection MUST be treated seriously and treatment and lifestyle changes are necessary. If you have ever taken antibiotics its likely you suffer with yeast infection. I will write another blog for this subject another day.

WHAT HELPS?

Identify and remove the stressors (if possible). Change your lifestyle to suit your body's needs.

Check your medication (if any) for side effects.

Treat your yeast infection.

Diet check out any food causing an intolerance or allergy.

Eating habits should be improved by not eating 'on the hoof'; no fast food or processed foods, no convenience foods. chew your food well particularly ccarbohydrates and fats. Animals proteins tend not to taste too good when chewed for a while. Whatch out for Dairy, wheat and egg intolerance etc.

Regular intake of food so three meals and two snacks to remove liklihood of hypoglycaemia.

Water is essential to life and dehydration causes stress at the cellular level. We have no means of storing water and so must take in regular fresh water, (exluding all other drinks). Dehydration slows down body metabolism and for those suffering hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue, this causes many problems.

Constipation and irregular bowel movements can affect the adrenal glands and adrenal fatigue.

Exercise in moderation but not so as to cause stress on the body and relaxation too (learn techniques to suit you).

Sleep is important to good adrenal health and if sleep is affected its likely due to either high or low cortisol levels and hypoglycaemia (see below).

Smoking places stress upon all aspects of the body including the lungs and adrenal glands, thus accelerating Adrenal Fatigue.

Pregnancy can lead to adrenal fatigue and a womans menstral cycle is also affected.

Hypoglycaemia has a connection too, to adrenal fatigue. When the adrenals are fatigued Cortisol output is reduced. ~Cortisol is required by the body to convert stored blood sugar in the liver to glucose (an active blood sugar). When, in adrenal fatigue, lower cortisol levels occur there is a corresponding diminished ability for the live to complete conversion.

Fats, proteins and carbohydrates other sources of glucose, can also not be readily converted into active blood sugar. The adrenal hormones control these energy sources and hence healthy adrenal function is vital to achieving and maintaing normal blood sugar levels and more especially during times of body stress.

In addition during stress there is an increase in demand for energy and so the body increases insulin production from the pancreas. Without adequate cortisol levels to facilitate the conversion of glycogen, fats and protein to new glucose supplies, the increased demand is impossible to meet and thus the combination of increased insulin and low glucose availability leads to low blood sugar production.

To the body hypoglycaemia is a strong stressor indeed, like an emergency call to further drain the already compromised adrenal glands.

Since our brain needs a good food supply and that food is glucose, when low blood sugar levels occur the brain cells and its function is also affected.

Low blood sugar levels also affect Melatonin and Seratonin release.

HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE ITS YOUR ADRENALS.

well firstly if you have had a yeast infection your adrenals will have been affected.

If you have hypothyroidism you have adrenal fatigue also.

If you have had any other illness, surgery or stressor you have adrenal fatigue.

Even if you have had a broken relationship or lost someone through death you will have adrenal fatigue.

The severity will vary of course but it still needs treating as it will only get worse over time.

ARE THERE ANY TESTS?

I know there are some amongst you who will need convincing. Well I cant do that but I can give you a few home tests. Put all the jigsaw together and make a judgement yourself.

These can be done at home and are not absolute but give a good guide as to what is happening with your adrenals.

Take your temperature pulse and BP and record it over 5 days.

Take your temperature with a reliable thermometer first thing in the morning upon waking.This is your Basal Temperature test.

Then take it every three hours through the day avoiding food and drink by 20mins.

Then average out each of the different times recordings soaverage out all the basal temps, the mid morning temps, the mid day temps, the early after noon temps, the early evening temps the mid evening temps and late evening temps over those 5 days.

Then it is the variance of these averages you are looking at. Excluding your basal temperature that is useful for identifying the extent of your hypothyroidism.

The other temps you have taken througout the day will indicate whether you have some adrenal fatigue. if the variance of thefinal average temperature recordings vary by more than 0.2 F then it is highly likely you have AF.

Another test is to take your BP whilst sitting or lyingdown. Do this once you have rested in that position and are calm for 10mins. Then stand up and take your BP again if there is a drop its likely you have adrenal fatigue. You may have experienced feeling light headed or dizzy upon getting out of bed or out of a chair previously.

If your BP is not high and you often feel dizzy or lightheaded or crave salty foods then its likely you are short of sodium; then you should start adding salt a good sea salt to your food and even taking a half teaspoon in a glass of luke warm water in the morning and afternoon according to your own needs.

Another test is to take a friend and a torch into a darkened room with a mirror.Get your freind to look at your eye pupil do one side of the face at a time. Both of you should look into the mirror and observe the result of what happens to your pupils. Allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Theswitch on the torch beam and shine it from the side of your face toward the bridge of your nose so the beam hits your eyes. Watch carefully and kee this up for 3minutes.

The purpose of your friend is to ensure you dont miss anything and that you confirm your findings.

If your pupil big in the dark suddenly gets very small and contracts and firmly stays like that its highly likely you are not AF. IF HOWEVER, your wide open pupil constricts but then slightly relaxes (this can be really slight this is where you need your friend to watch carefully too) and constricts again and then slightly relaxes and constricts again; this is highly likely due to AF.

Another test and possibly the final one for here is expose your belly. Get someone whome you know for sure is healthy and fit and has not got AF. Get them to copy everything you do.

Get a sharp but blunt item, so you dont cut yourself but you need to scratch your belly, just below your bellybutton. Scratch a line across from one side to the other. A tooth pick would do it or the prong on a fork.

Watch the result and compare to your friend; but if your doing it alone if your scratch mark which should initially be white changes to pink quite quickly within 1-2 mins then its likely you donot have AF; but if the scratch mark remains white for more than 1-2 minutes its likely you have AF.

SUPPLEMENTATION ROAD TO RECOVERY.

Adrenal Glandulars. Nutri Adrenal Extra or a good source. (I dont benefit) but something similar on the net plenty are available. StressEnd available on Amazon is also good. Both I think include glandulars and a number of vits and minerals too; but that doesnt preclude you from needing the following.

These work by giving the adrenal glands a leg up/support. The tissue is the same as the adrenals itself and often either porcine or bovine and works in a similar way to desiccated thyroid or NDT such as Armour. They are important and you can dose according to your need.

Vitamin C complex

Probably the most important of all for adrenal recovery. As cortisol is used by the body there is an increased need for Vitamin C. Our adrenal glands manufacture adrenal steroid hormones using vitamin C and is used along the 'adrenal cascade' and acts as a powerful antioxidant within the adrenal cortex. The adrenal glands are thirsty for Vitamin C.

High doses are therefore required by the body during adrenal fatigue recovery. Vitamin C is a water soluable and quickly used up by the body and so needs to be replenished throughout the day as it is not manufactured by our body and is not stored by the body either. So regula doses three or four times through the daytime are required.

Vitamin C requires Bioflavanoids for the most beneficial effect. Always purchase the best quality natural supplements you can afford and read their lables to check exactly what they contain.

VITAMIN C TOLERANCE LEVEL is individual to each of us. Take 500mgs Vitamin C hourly until you get a runny 'tummy' and loose bowels. Stop at this point and take no more.

Calculate how much vitamin C you have taken deduct the last 500mgs which sent you to the bathroom and this is your total daily dose. Divide this dose by three or four and this is how much you need to take either three or four times daily.

If you suffer any acute illness you may need to increase this dose until you feel improvement. If you stop taking Vitmain c for any reason lower the dose slowly over a little time.

If taking anticoagulant medication you should use vitamin C with caution and under medical supervision. This doesnt preclude you from taking it as the adrenal glands need this essential vitamin in order to function.

Vitamin C supports the immune system aiding in fighting any infection but also helping the adrenals in responding to the stressful situation that infection imposes upon your body. Taking good fruit and vegetables is essential but also supplement as you cannot get high enough levels through eating fruit and vegetables. Amla or Indian Gooseberry is the richest source of Viotamin C, this fruit is used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Vitamin E.

In the form of both mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols around 800iu daily for at least 12 weeks.

A fat soluble vitamin works in tandem with Vitamin C keeping the adrenal functioning at optimal levels. It is essential for free radical scavenging caused by the manufacture of adrenal hormones. These free radicals cause considerable damage to cells otherwise. Vitamin E absorbs and neutalises these free radical molecules.

Essential fatty acids

EFA's particularly omega 3. Usually the western diet is low in omega 3 and high in omega 6 and omega 9 in smaller quantities. Omega 3 is anti-inflammatory and omega 6 is pro-inflammatory. With inflammatory disorders it is best to avoid omega 6 although in health they should be in balance due to excessive omega 6 in our diet taking omega 3 supplements for some for 2years, should reinstate balance.

Vitamin B complex

take a strong vitamin B complex; that is around 50 - 100mgs of each of its constituent parts.

A vitamin B complex is necessary in addition to those individual B vitamins listed below. B vitamin s are water soluble and a regular intake is necessary.

Vitamin B3

Niacin 20mgs is used by adrenal glands to manufacture its many hormones. Large amount of B3 are requred to facilitate some of the crucial enzymatic reactions.

If flushing occurs this will pass after 1 week or use the non-flushing formulae. Nicin is used to help reduce cholesterol blood levels.

Vitamin B5

Panthotenic acid contributes to the adrenal cascade and combined with magnesium, Vitamin e and C increases energy production thus helping to relieve fatigue from the adrenal glands without over stimulating them at the same time. Take around 1500mgs daily for around 12 weeks.

Vitamin B6

~Commonly associated with the relief of PMS, it is also a co-factor in enzymatic pathways in the adrenal cascade. Take 50-100mgs daily.

Vitamin B12

Cobalamin helps with the formation and regenreation or red blood cells and nerve tissue and helps in the utilization of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Deficiency leads to anaemia and fatigue and treatemnt is with injection. Its natural sources are animal proteins. Only small amounts are needed as this vitamin is stored by the body and deficency takes around 5-6 years. Vegetarians and Vegans need supplementation. 6mcgs daily.

To allow the absorption of B12 the stomach needs to produce Intrinsic Factor along with Hydrochloric acid. the production of both HCL and intrinsic factor is diminished in hypothyroids and therefore absorption impaired. Take a sublingual form if necessary.

Magnesium

A catalyst for both adrenal function and the energy portion in every single cell in the body. This is a very important mineral and often is low in a Western diet and further in hypothyroidism. It works in conjunction with Vitamin C, B5 and E to potentate the actions of the adrenals. Take 400mgs citrate at night. Take more during times of high stress and take your supplement with acidic drinks such as tomato juice for optimum absorption.

Magnesium levels are often depleted in adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism. Magnesium is needed to ensure calcium levels in the tissues are not excessive and to ensure it gets stored in bones and teeth.

Phosphorus

Needed for normal bone and tooth structure and is very inter-related with the action of other minerals especially calcium and vitamin D.

Trace Minerals

such as chromium, zinc, manganese, selenium, iodine, molybdenum and copper all play a part in adrenal recovery and have a calming effect on the body. They are also necessary for good bone health. Take before bedtime with an acidic juice drink.

CoQ10 important for mitochondria to function and essential if you're taking Statins. Muscle weakness can be improved with CoQ10.

Herbs

Astralagus is an adaptogenic herb useful for the immune systems and protecting the body against the negative effects of stress in the long term. Used to combat chi deficiency in fatigue and adrenal fatigue. Dont take with a fever.

Ashwaghanda another adaptogenic herb with therapeutic benefits for the adrenal glands. do not take with Astralagus, (use one or the other). Helpful in normalising cortisol levels. Becareful not to take high doses as this can suppress adrenal function.

Ginger

Another adaptogen helpful to the adrenals for modulating cortisol levels and normalising blood pressure and heart rate. It also has the effect of lowering cholesterol levels and burning fat and increasing metabolic fucntion and thus energy levels. Ginger is a digestive stimulant increasng enzyme secretion. African Ginger is an immuno stimulant an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory.

OTHER THINGS

Adrenal glandulars are very important and these are similar to desiccated thyroid glandulars but adrenal! Available through Nutri Ltd. Nutri Adrenal Extra I use myself a brilliant product well recommended.

If your adrenals are very poorly you may need DHEA OR Pregnenolone or hydrocortisone (but hydrocortisone you need your docs input)

make sure you dont have a yeast infection adn if so treat it otherwise adrenal health cannot be restored until the yeast is countered.

Support your liver during poor health. The liver is your detoxifying organ and carrys out a multiple jobs. It is often also under a great deal of stress when hypothyroidism and adrenal fatigue is evident.

Take pro biotics to support good gut bacteria. Pre biotics also. Glutamine a normally abundant amino acid can be diminished in hypothyroidsim due to digestive absoprtion particularly protein, problems. Important for adrenal recover as a precursor of Glutathione; an antioxidant involved in many cellular functions. Glutamine reduces lactic acid build up (a waste product) and helps heal the gut wall.

HCL (Betaine) supplements your own stomach acid and helps absorption of nutrients into the blood stream and stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes....It is also essential for instrinsic factor to be produced in the stomach. This inturn is essential for Vitamin B12 absorption.

All of the above are without problems and dont need docs input.

OK I will update this as necessary only my brain is hurting now!! and the sun is shining. Any questions pleae do ask. Any comments always welcome too.

Lots of information on the net or in your library; do read and educate yourself.

How long to get better? ah well that depends on how long you have been ill and usually its a long time. Give it at least 1-18months...yeah I told you....and often you will need to continue using some of these for longer even for life as they are helpful to our body anyhow. Some I have identified as short term.

bEST OF LUCK sALLY XX

I'm sorry to hear about your mother. My condolences.

LH*

On Wed, Jun 15, 2011 at 7:36 AM, vickiandrews6150 <vickiandrews6150@...> wrote:

Hello. I'd be grateful for a bit of advice please. I have been taking Adrenal Extra tablets for some time and started on Armour thyroid at the beginning of May. Initially I felt fantastic and have gradually raised the Armour to 2 gm per day. However, now I don't feel as full of energy as I did, although some of my symptoms are disappearing, such as puffy hands and face, ridges on nails and I have lost a little weight. I have had a lot of stress in my life recently as my mother died on the 29th April and I am currently bogged down with writing the many letters to banks, etc. in order to hand over information to the solicitor to obtain Probate. Also, I have to admit that I have been drinking several glasses of red wine a night in order to ease my stress! So, do you think that the current lack of energy is just that I am very stressed at the moment and, if so, what do you suggest that I do about it, please? I wonder if I am just expecting too much, too

soon, as I have been ill with ME for 26 years now and have not had any energy for years. It was just that the few days of initial energy were fantastic and I thought that this would continue and get better as I raised the Armour. Please advise?