Not Cushings Syndrome - OT, but would like some advice

[Guest guest]

After Heidi posted a comment on here about Cushings Syndrome, I sent

my BF off to the GP for some tests. Today he got the all clear on

Cushings Syndrome, but his cortisol is slightly elevated. The

endocrinologist says obese people often show signs of increased

cortisol, however, it is the obesity causing the increase, not the

increase causing the high cortisol.

So we still have no explanation of why n has gained back the

140lbs that he lost. I have several plans to try to decrease his

cortisol levels. However, I wondered if anyone here had any

knowledge of what might help to lower the cortisol levels? I'm

always confused by the link between stress/adrenaline/cortisol/sleep

etc so does anyone have a simple explanation they could share?

And is there any link with cortisol and the thyroid? If so, what?

His thyroid has tested normal but the test is notoriously

unreliable. His liver function has tested normal, although he is

going for an ultrasound just to make doubly sure.

Thanks for any help

[Guest guest]

>After Heidi posted a comment on here about Cushings Syndrome, I sent

>my BF off to the GP for some tests. Today he got the all clear on

>Cushings Syndrome, but his cortisol is slightly elevated. The

>endocrinologist says obese people often show signs of increased

>cortisol, however, it is the obesity causing the increase, not the

>increase causing the high cortisol.

>

>So we still have no explanation of why n has gained back the

>140lbs that he lost. I have several plans to try to decrease his

>cortisol levels. However, I wondered if anyone here had any

>knowledge of what might help to lower the cortisol levels?

Well, what *I* did for myself, when I read about Cushings (the fat patterns

were a lot like what I'd gained recently) was to try the Warrior Diet, which is

said to regulate the whole insulin/cortisol/adrenaline thing. The feast/fast

protocol in mice is known to help with stress resistance, and the WD is an

easier version of that protocol. For me, anyway, it has worked amazingly

well. I'm never sleepy during the day, I sleep well at night, and my weight

is going down. (by about 25 lbs at this point, all fat).

Also, the MCT helps with thyroid/metabolism issues. Using THAT instead

of animal or other fats makes a big difference, weight wise. I've used it

on other diets also. It is pricey, but it works. Coconut oil has a good

bit of MCT in it (which is where they get the MCT oil from) and I use that

too. I avoid nuts mostly, since I tend to OD on them.

And I've been working on *sunshine*. Getting outside at least

once a day. That does amazing things for ones hormones! Also

for stress relief. A bit of time gardening is well-spent. Or weight lifting,

which will help with cortisol. Even if he has joint problems ... they've

done weight training with 70 year old arthritic women, and had good

results!

Also tracking calories ... yeah I know, no one likes to do that, but it

has convinced me that when I " plateau " for a long time I really am

eating too darn much. In theory, one's appetite should match what

one needs, but in reality this is not always the case! I think what

happens sometimes is that after awhile a person starts absorbing

food better ... I used to be able to eat a LOT of fat and calories

in general, but now I eat a lot less, and seem to need a lot less. But

my digestion is a whole lot better than it was. I think that might be

why for some people Atkins works really well at first and then

doesn't ... fat calories really don't count if they are not digested.

Plus some folks, like the Inuit, have adapated to where protein

is handled like a starch ... that is, it breaks down into glucose,

so the person can't go into ketosis. If that has happened to your

boyfriend, there might not be anything *wrong* with him at all, but

he'll have to use a different approach to weight loss.

Just some thoughts for the mix ...

-- Heidi Jean