OT: Sam,'s BD ( Re: Dr. Vliet...)

[Guest guest]

I have to tell y'all what I learned just this morning. I think some of youknow that I am finally pretty healthy. I also started to treat lowAldosterone about a month-ish (or 2) or so ago. After RAI in 1990 I hadlost ALL my hair everywhere, and after Armour and BHRT and all that alittle more than half of it returned. Well, this morning my fiance pointedout that my real hair looked thicker and that I should check it out in themirror. I saw a gazillion new hairs growing all over my head. About amonth's or 2's worth of growth. I think treating my low Aldosterone wast he key to my hair returning. Honestly I have been crying tears of joyabout this all day long. OMG, my hair is finally all growing back afteralmost 18 years. OMGSam

Sam, this is just amazing and it couldn't happen to a better person, or one who has worked harder at feeling better, and then SHARED freely with others what has worked for you. You're the real deal.

GaelStart the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

[Guest guest]

What dose of generic florinef? I built up to a whole pill of 0.1mg generic

Florinef (fludrocortisone) 1/4 pill at a time, then foud I needed less and

am happy back on 1/4 pill.

Aldosterone is another adrenal hormone that not a lot of folks think to

test for when they test their adrenals...they usually test only cortisol.

When we are having issues with adrenals, some of us are also dosing for

example Armour Thyroid (but I think also other hormones, 'maybe'), we can

have issues with absorbing Armour into our cells, or even getting thyroid

receptors to open. So we treat low cortisol and 'usually' all things are

right with the world again. But if yet another adrenal hormone is tanked,

that can also affect things in a different way. Since I am still learning

about the effects of low aldosterone on thyroid hormone absorption, I

can't give you the exact mechanisms, but I think it also affects

absorption or use of thyroid hormones by the body. That's why I think

after treating 'my' low aldosterone, my hair came back. I think. I don't

know exactly, tho...

But EEE EEE EEE yes yes yes I am so delighted. YIPPEE WAHOOOOO!!!!!

Oh, and, uh, well, more hair is coming back " everywhere " that it's been

missing from (does a bikini waxing hurt?). My eyelashes are thickening and

I'm getting ALL my eyebrows back, too! It's really like I just turned the

" on and off " switch back on.

Sam

(resting up from the weekend)

====

> Anybody that knows me knows I love the hair stories. Sam, this is

> fantastic! My goodness. People who work hard and persevere like

> yourself deserve really happy things such as this. Do you have any

> explanation as to how aldosterone would have this effect? And what

> dose did you get to, 20 mg. ? I'm thoroughly curious!

>

> Happy Hair 2 You,

>

> -AG

>

> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/growhair/

>>

>

>> I have to tell y'all what I learned just this morning. I think some

>> of you

>> know that I am finally pretty healthy. I also started to treat low

>> Aldosterone about a month-ish (or 2) or so ago. After RAI in 1990 I

>> had

>> lost ALL my hair everywhere, and after Armour and BHRT and all that a

>> little more than half of it returned. Well, this morning my fiance

>> pointed

>> out that my real hair looked thicker and that I should check it out

>> in the

>> mirror. I saw a gazillion new hairs growing all over my head. About a

>> month's or 2's worth of growth. I think treating my low Aldosterone

>> was

>> the key to my hair returning. Honestly I have been crying tears of joy

>> about this all day long. OMG, my hair is finally all growing back

>> after

>> almost 18 years. OMG

>>

>> Sam

>

[Guest guest]

In animal studies, T3

increases aldosterone. I haven't

found any human studies about it though (but I'm studying).

Val

From: rhythmicliving

[mailto:rhythmicliving ] On

Behalf Of k9gang@...

Aldosterone is another adrenal hormone that not a lot of folks think to

test for when they test their adrenals...they usually test only cortisol.

When we are having issues with adrenals, some of us are also dosing for

example Armour Thyroid (but I think also other hormones, 'maybe'), we can

have issues with absorbing Armour into our cells, or even getting thyroid

receptors to open. So we treat low cortisol and 'usually' all things are

right with the world again. But if yet another adrenal hormone is tanked,

that can also affect things in a different way. Since I am still learning

about the effects of low aldosterone on thyroid hormone absorption, I

can't give you the exact mechanisms, but I think it also affects

absorption or use of thyroid hormones by the body. That's why I think

after treating 'my' low aldosterone, my hair came back. I think. I don't

know exactly, tho...

[Guest guest]

T3 increases aldosterone? I'm on 11+ grains of Armour!

Hmmm, maybe that's why I don't have 's... :-o

Sam

=====

> In animal studies, T3 increases aldosterone. I haven't found any human

> studies about it though (but I'm studying).

>

> Val

>

> From: rhythmicliving

> [mailto:rhythmicliving ]

> On Behalf Of k9gang@...

>

> Aldosterone is another adrenal hormone that not a lot of folks think to

> test for when they test their adrenals...they usually test only cortisol.

>

> When we are having issues with adrenals, some of us are also dosing for

> example Armour Thyroid (but I think also other hormones, 'maybe'), we can

> have issues with absorbing Armour into our cells, or even getting thyroid

> receptors to open. So we treat low cortisol and 'usually' all things are

> right with the world again. But if yet another adrenal hormone is tanked,

> that can also affect things in a different way. Since I am still learning

> about the effects of low aldosterone on thyroid hormone absorption, I

> can't give you the exact mechanisms, but I think it also affects

> absorption or use of thyroid hormones by the body. That's why I think

> after treating 'my' low aldosterone, my hair came back. I think. I don't

> know exactly, tho...

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sam,

I have lost 1/3rd of

my hair on my head and most of my eyebrows and eyelashes with the eyebrows

bothering me the most. What are the symptoms of low aldosterone and how did you

find it? Do you use the treatment along with HC or instead of?

Congratulations on

your hair success,

nne

.. That's why I think

after treating 'my' low aldosterone, my hair came back. I think. I don't

know exactly, tho...

But EEE EEE EEE yes yes yes I am so delighted. YIPPEE WAHOOOOO!!!!!

Oh, and, uh, well, more hair is coming back " everywhere " that it's

been

missing from (does a bikini waxing hurt?). My eyelashes are thickening and

I'm getting ALL my eyebrows back, too! It's really like I just turned the

" on and off " switch back on.

Sam

(resting up from the weekend)

[Guest guest]

I 'thought' my adrenals were healed, but obviously they were not. I

treated low cortisol for a couple of years and now am having NO low

cortisol symptoms and do not take HC...I had been treated with

prednisoLone. However I did have the need for a higher amount of support

than usual, and that should have been a sign to check aldosterone.

Low aldosterone symptoms I had tingling/numbness in the tips of 2 fingers,

pitting edema, sometimes occassional irregular heartbeat (I thought

perhaps due to MSG sensitivity), rarely I would get slightly dizzy

standing up. A friend of mine was being treated for low aldosterone at the

time and I mentioned a few of my symptoms, so I decided to have

aldosterone/renin blood tested. I'm taking generic Florinef

(fludrocortisone) and also taking 1/2 to 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt and glasses

of water twice a day (to build up blood volumn).

Sam

=====

> Hi Sam,

>

> I have lost 1/3rd of my hair on my head and most of my eyebrows and

> eyelashes with the eyebrows bothering me the most. What are the symptoms

> of

> low aldosterone and how did you find it? Do you use the treatment along

> with

> HC or instead of?

>

> Congratulations on your hair success,

>

> nne

>

>

>

> . That's why I think

> after treating 'my' low aldosterone, my hair came back. I think. I don't

> know exactly, tho...

>

> But EEE EEE EEE yes yes yes I am so delighted. YIPPEE WAHOOOOO!!!!!

> Oh, and, uh, well, more hair is coming back " everywhere " that it's been

> missing from (does a bikini waxing hurt?). My eyelashes are thickening and

> I'm getting ALL my eyebrows back, too! It's really like I just turned the

> " on and off " switch back on.

>

> Sam

> (resting up from the weekend)

[Guest guest]

Sam, where are you’re

your aldo/renin levels (with normal bands)? I'm really interested in this as I have

a high ratio.

Val

From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]

On Behalf Of k9gang@...

I 'thought' my adrenals were healed, but obviously they were not. I

treated low cortisol for a couple of years and now am having NO low

cortisol symptoms and do not take HC...I had been treated with

prednisoLone. However I did have the need for a higher amount of support

than usual, and that should have been a sign to check aldosterone.

Low aldosterone symptoms I had tingling/numbness in the tips of 2 fingers,

pitting edema, sometimes occassional irregular heartbeat (I thought

perhaps due to MSG sensitivity), rarely I would get slightly dizzy

standing up. A friend of mine was being treated for low aldosterone at the

time and I mentioned a few of my symptoms, so I decided to have

aldosterone/renin blood tested. I'm taking generic Florinef

(fludrocortisone) and also taking 1/2 to 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt and glasses

of water twice a day (to build up blood volumn).

[Guest guest]

Where Aldo and renin 'should' be is:

Aldosterone up 3/4 in range (1/4 from top of range), and renin only up 1/4

in range (1/4 from bottom of range). Mine were reversed. I'm due to be

retested since I've been on fludrocortisone for a couple of months.

Sam

=====

> Sam, where are you're your aldo/renin levels (with normal bands)? I'm

> really interested in this as I have a high ratio.

>

> Val

>

> From: rhythmicliving

> [mailto:rhythmicliving ]

> On Behalf Of k9gang@...

>

>

> I 'thought' my adrenals were healed, but obviously they were not. I

> treated low cortisol for a couple of years and now am having NO low

> cortisol symptoms and do not take HC...I had been treated with

> prednisoLone. However I did have the need for a higher amount of support

> than usual, and that should have been a sign to check aldosterone.

>

> Low aldosterone symptoms I had tingling/numbness in the tips of 2 fingers,

> pitting edema, sometimes occassional irregular heartbeat (I thought

> perhaps due to MSG sensitivity), rarely I would get slightly dizzy

> standing up. A friend of mine was being treated for low aldosterone at the

> time and I mentioned a few of my symptoms, so I decided to have

> aldosterone/renin blood tested. I'm taking generic Florinef

> (fludrocortisone) and also taking 1/2 to 1 tsp Celtic Sea Salt and glasses

> of water twice a day (to build up blood volumn).

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

All sounds pretty good....

But ok, the aldosterone thing is like this...you get aldosterone/renin

blood tested, and also potassium, sodium, magnesium tested.

When you start the Florinef (if needed) it's built up 1/4 tab at a time

every 7-10 (or more) days, plus taking the 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt and

lots of water twice a day. After taking that for a while, retest the

aldosterone/renin, plus potassium, sodium, magnesium to see if you're on

the right dose of stuff. That's kind of how it's done.

Sam

=====

> I'm curious about the aldosterone thing because it seems the only way

> to fix it is to balance the sodium/potassium thing, but it is really

> hard to know how much to do it by.

[Guest guest]

, where are you able

to order your own aldosterone tests?

I have aldo/renin issues but they are opposite of Sam's. I have the wired, frightened symptoms

but they are not from low aldo.

Cortisol continually tests perfect.

Sam and , how does

your potassium test?

Val

From: rhythmicliving

[mailto:rhythmicliving ] On

Behalf Of wild.dingo

I had been suspecting aldosterone w/me too, but I don't want

to charter this water alone, i'd prefer someone (MD) who

knew " something " about it... but I ordered my own tests anyway.

around the same time

[Guest guest]

My potassium scores near " perfect " but my magnesium sucks and I can't

physically tolerate magnesium supplements, altho I do well when I get it

via epsom salts baths...

Sam

=====

> , where are you able to order your own aldosterone tests? I have

> aldo/renin issues but they are opposite of Sam's. I have the wired,

> frightened symptoms but they are not from low aldo. Cortisol continually

> tests perfect.

>

> Sam and , how does your potassium test?

>

> Val

>

> From: rhythmicliving

> [mailto:rhythmicliving ]

> On Behalf Of wild.dingo

>

>

> I had been suspecting aldosterone w/me too, but I don't want

> to charter this water alone, i'd prefer someone (MD) who

> knew " something " about it... but I ordered my own tests anyway.

> around the same time

>

[Guest guest]

Sam,

Have you looked into transdermal magnesium? It is not mag. Sulfate

like Epsom salts but mag. Chloride from the ocean. You can absorb much more through

the skin without the side effects that too much oral can give.

http://www.magnesiumforlife.com/magnesium.shtml

http://www.internationalhealth.net/Page8.html

http://www.magneticclay.com/Magnesium-Oil-Guide.pd

nne

My potassium scores near " perfect "

but my magnesium sucks and I can't

physically tolerate magnesium supplements, altho I do well when I get it

via epsom salts baths...

Sam

[Guest guest]

I don't see aldosterone

offered. What do I look for?

Val

From: rhythmicliving [mailto:rhythmicliving ]

On Behalf Of wild.dingo

They are soooo not cheap. now i understand why docs/insurance

companies would rather have you suffer

i ordered mine here:http://www.directlabs.com/

but here's another source:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/aldosterone/glance.html

http://www.canaryclub.org/content/view/277/97/

[Guest guest]

No I haven't since the epsom salts baths seem to be working pretty well.

I may just need an itty bitty bit... However, when I was taking even low

dose oral, it would literally knock me out.

I've been reading the links you sent.

Sam

=====

> Sam,

>

> Have you looked into transdermal magnesium? It is not mag. Sulfate like

> Epsom salts but mag. Chloride from the ocean. You can absorb much more

> through the skin without the side effects that too much oral can give.

>

>

>

> <http://www.magnesiumforlife.com/magnesium.shtml>

> http://www.magnesiumforlife.com/magnesium.shtml

>

>

>

> <http://www.internationalhealth.net/Page8.html>

> http://www.internationalhealth.net/Page8.html

>

>

>

> <http://www.magneticclay.com/Magnesium-Oil-Guide.pd>

> http://www.magneticclay.com/Magnesium-Oil-Guide.pd

>

>

>

> nne

>

>

>

> My potassium scores near " perfect " but my magnesium sucks and I can't

> physically tolerate magnesium supplements, altho I do well when I get it

> via epsom salts baths...

>

> Sam

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, . It is good to know you can get this

online. However, I don't see that

they offer renin. For me, I need

both at the same time. Maybe if I

called them, they could do it. I

know healthcheckusa can offer more if you call them. I got an adrenal antibody test that way.

Val

From: rhythmicliving

[mailto:rhythmicliving ] On

Behalf Of wild.dingo

Oh it's tricky. should have mentioned that. first i

ordered

the " adrenal stress " but it just takes you to a page where you have

to scroll down and order the test again... then you'll see the

aldosterone... which is funny cuz it's not listed in their main

category (tests offered page), but listed IN the " order a test page "

in the scrolling section.

https://orders.directlabs.com/dl-locator/order_tests.aspx

i didn't look too closely BUT i don't think their actual testst

ordered correspond with the tests offered page (and their

descriptions). some do correspond and some don't. read carefully.

but that's how i found the aldosterone.

good luck!

[Guest guest]

A couple of years ago (2203 o4 2004) (prior to my insomnia problems

that landed me here on rhythmic living), I had a severe bee sting in

the forehead that landed me in the hospital, my face completely

inflamed. I decided it was in my best interest to see an allergist to

see " how allergic " i was in case i needed to carry an epi-pin. He ran

a gammut of tests including bee stings and found all sorts

of " allergies " (i say this in quotes for a reason). One of

my " allergies " was dust mites. however, i've never seen any reaction

to them (probably because i'm a bit of a clean freak). he also said i

was asthmatic (but that's another story about how i think that's not

true).

ok, in 2005 i had trouble sleeping, and by 2007, it was so bad, i was

getting 1-3 hours/night. the only doc who would run any tests other

than TSH, found low cortisol (thru only a 24 hour urine test, nothing

more) and low estrogen and low testosterone. the only thing she did

besides putting me on cortef to bring up my cortisol, was put me on

the WP. The progesterone in those doses litterally hightened my

allergies. I started getting little rashes everywhere: under my arms,

on my belly, on my thighs, my shins, my ankles. I went to the

dermatologists and he said they were mite bites and I'm very

sensitive to them. Insert light bulb here. I'm allergic to dust

mites. But my house is brand new built, all wood floors, my dog beds

get vac'd every week, my husband doesn't have bites, neither does my

dog, my sheets changed every week to two weeks, what in the world

could be different? hmmmm...could it be the WP that i had started

taking 3 months ago? I read up on P and found it does lower immunity

and can to some extent cause major skin itching.

i talked to my doctor and she insisted i needed more estrogen. I was

already up to E+5 lines...which meant 9-28mg estrogen daily. She

insisted to stay on the progesterone or drop it a little (by only 2

lines or 10 mg ...mind you there are 20-350 mg in those doses daily)

and then go back up when i felt better. That did not sit well with

me. I was scratching out of control and they hurt. badly. it wasn't

like a bug bite where you can scratch and it goes away. they stuck

around and never healed, until i went off the WP, they

started 'slowly' healing and more recently since being off of

everything and just dosing really good vitamins according to the

book, voila, they are healing very fast now.

along with the allergic reaction to dust mite bites, i had also

gained 12 lbs for no apparent reason. i did not change my diet but i

gained it fast in 3 months on the WP, mostly around the mid section.

my doc suggested a raw diet. without discounting the healthiness of a

raw diet, i decided it was in my best interest to see someone more

mainstream and reasonable. afterall, my diet (although not perfect)

was better than most of America, and from what I know, most of

America doesn't have trouble sleeping, sudden allergic mite bite

reactions or a sudden 12 lb gain around the belly all at once.

The " other " thing I had happen to me on the WP as " MAJOR " yeast

infection. I think i've had 3 yeast infections in my entire life (i'm

39). I'm not really prone to them. they were all benign and one dose

of monostat pretty much fixed it. But this one while on the WP was so

bad NOTHING helped. No prescription. nothing but lots of time and

getting off the WP.

I'm learning the " hard " way what improper hormone balance can do.

deficiency is one thing. but adding too much can really send you over

the edge. I'm learning to " go low, go slow... " and I like that

philosophy best.

I'd see a dermatologist if you can.

Good luck!

> >

> > Sam, that is AWESOME. I love hearing this and I think you're the

bees

> > knees. I want you to know I took your advice on " treating the

adenals

> > first. " I had been suspecting aldosterone w/me too, but I don't

want

> > to charter this water alone, i'd prefer someone (MD) who

> > knew " something " about it... but I ordered my own tests anyway.

> > around the same time, i came back from Hawaii and talked to my NP

> > (after the wash out of all my T and E accidental overdose from

> > incorrect pharmacy mixing) and when I told her my symptoms from 2

> > years ago, that i " still have " : the shakes/jitters at night and

after

> > a bike ride, she said to me " wow, this is adrenal and way more

than

> > what we can handle here. (women's medical center focusing on BHRT

for

> > women) I'd like you to see an endo who knows a lot about

adrenals

> > and will test the hell out of you. In the mean time, stay off of

> > everthing so he can get a good reading. " This made me feel so

much

> > better and i cancelled my own tests until i see him this week.

I've

> > been off everything all month, except a little klonopin at night

to

> > stop the jitters and heart racing and allows me to sleep. to my

> > happiness, this has been the best of all " sleep aids " because i

can

> > actually function the next day.

> >

> > mean while i'm following 's book on taking the vitamins

(and

> > the other lady's suggestion on NSI/non-glutten vitamins although

i'm

> > certain i'm not allergic to glutten, i suspect it isn't the best

way

> > to absorb vitamins). I separate out all my vitamins and don't

take a

> > multi. I load up on the B, C and E, Cal, Mag, in doses as

suggested

> > by . And guess what? My skin looks amazing all of the

sudden.

> > my color came back. I don't need blush, foundation or concealer

> > anymore. (I'm not a fan of make up, but dang, will use it when

i

> > look bad.) the skin around my eyes doesn't look gray and washed

out.

> > My scabs from all those " mite bites " caused from too much

> > progesterone lowering my immune system i had in august, are

healing

> > FAST now. But my weight is still a bit on the heavy side for " my "

> > comfort level. But i'll deal with that after i'm on the right

adrenal

> > track.

> >

> > My theory on this adrenal thing is this: yes, heal them first,

like

> > you said. Afterall, your sex hormones are made there too. the day

you

> > lose making hormones in your overaries (for whatever reason,

> > menopause, hysterectomy), is the day you're going to need your

> > adrenals healthier than ever. I think (and this is just my common

> > sense theory) that with healthy adrenal glands, you'll be able to

> > produce hormones you need (sex or otherwise) in " closer to " your

> > body's balance/need and once you get there, " then " you can

supplement

> > with what sex hormones you're lacking and missing (E, T, P, DHEA

> > whatever)... as for " other " metabolic hormones (thyroid, or

> > otherwise), i have no opinion since i don't know about them.

> >

> >

>