RE: Met w/ doc and question re: cortisol

[Guest guest]

" sossityb " wrote:

> She questioned whether or not I'm truly hypoT. Though it might just

be adrenals.

Possible, but then why were you on Synthroid before?

> I've been on Synthroid for almost 2

> years, tried the switch to Armour but can't handle it.

Inability to switch is usually because of low adrenal function.

Could be low ferritin too. Has your cortisol and ferritin been

tested?

> Postive stuff though...I'm getting full thryoid panel which I've

never had.

Be warned, a " full thyroid panel " does not include Free T3, the one

test that really shows your thyroid function. Many times that test

must be written in. Make sure you look over the lab request and ask

questions. If it's not there, request it be added.

Barb

[Guest guest]

> Possible, but then why were you on Synthroid before?

Sort of interesting now that I think about it. I've only had TSH

tested. It was actually in range but low w/ in the range when

originally tested. I just had so many symptoms. Thought I was

fortunate that had a doc that would help based on symptoms and not

just test results but maybe he was a little off base. Could it have

just been an adrenal issue all along??

> Inability to switch is usually because of low adrenal function.

> Could be low ferritin too. Has your cortisol and ferritin been

> tested?

My cortisol is very low. Shows Stage 5 on results. Haven't had

ferritin tested though.

> Be warned, a " full thyroid panel " does not include Free T3, the one

> test that really shows your thyroid function.

Thanks for that! I'll be sure to do that.

[Guest guest]

Can't remember??! Well then!

Wonder what is it she is going to give me then. TSH was orignally 5.0

where 5.5 was top of " normal " range. I went to primary doc for

migraines that I had been having for about 1 year..pretty much since

my 2nd child was born. He decided to test thyroid. I was lethargic,

gaining weight (hadn't gained since high school!), foggy-thinking, no

short term memory and falling asleep by 7:00 many nights. However, I

was also on an anti-depressant so who knows what was causing what

back then!

Anyway, I know (now!) that TSH doesn't tell much but so far that's

the only thryoid test I've had.

Here are my results:

Labs:

Cortisol

AM 9 (13-24)

Noon 3 (5-10)

PM 3 (3-8)

Midn. 2 (1-4) )

Estrone >100 (30-58)

Estradiol 20 (7-20)

Estriol 58 (12-25)

DHEA 8 (3-100

Testosterone 19 (8-20)

Progesterone 601 (65-500)

I had been taking oral prog. 2 months prior

> so may have had some impact

>

> SIgA 5 (25-60) still not sure what this really means

> Intolerance to soy and milk

[Guest guest]

I can't remember what your levels were. Could you post them again? Also any

thyroid levels that you have would be helpful. Odds are if you showed hypoT

before that will not change. In fact once you get the cortisol levels

addressed, your thyroid levels may show more hypoT than before becasue they

thyroid will be actually gettting into your cells instead of sitting in your

bloodstream. If your cortisol levels are really low, Isocort probalby won't

be s trong enough to help and you would need a script for HC. I'm not

familiar with any cortisol supplement that is normally taken sublingually.

Of course my brain could be being uncooperative....

Cherie

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright

> I met with the naturopath today. Basically asked what the plan is to

> heal the adrenals and discussed what I've read/learned here re: Armour

> when adrenals aren't healed.

>

> She questioned whether or not I'm truly hypoT. Though it might just be

> adrenals. Does that make sense? I've been reading tons (I promise!) but

> not clear if that is possible. I've been on Synthroid for almost 2

> years, tried the switch to Armour but can't handle it.

>

> Postive stuff though...I'm getting full thryoid panel which I've never

> had. She also wants to start me on a cortisol supplement. She said it

> would be sublingual. Think she is referring to Isocort??

>

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9:51 AM

[Guest guest]

Based on my current 4 hours of research, that makes sense to me!

I have to confess, I have a hard time being upfront w/ docs. I was

proud of myself today but it gets uncomfortable for me when I know

something that I need/want and they are suggesting something different.

They can't know everything and I don't expect them to but I find it

difficult to say,... " here is what I've found. Here is what I want to

do! "

Anyway, I need a provider who at least somewhat gets it that is willing

to work with me and I know it has to be a partnership. She is

defintitely the best I've found so far. However, she now suggested the

thyroid panel and if it doesn't make sense to do it now, I'm not sure

how to address that with her.

Do you not think it would be good to have the T3 and others that I

haven't had before? Always only have had TSH.

[Guest guest]

If possible I would wait to have the thyroid levels tested until after

you've been on the HC for a week or two. That way it should show a more

accurate picture. I suspect that my levels always look normal because

because I didn't have enough cortisol for my body to use the thyroid hormone

I did have and it was pooling in my blood. Of coures, I'm not sure about

this yet. It is my current theory though.

Rie

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright

> > Possible, but then why were you on Synthroid before?

>

> Sort of interesting now that I think about it. I've only had TSH

> tested. It was actually in range but low w/ in the range when

> originally tested. I just had so many symptoms. Thought I was

> fortunate that had a doc that would help based on symptoms and not

> just test results but maybe he was a little off base. Could it have

> just been an adrenal issue all along??

>

>

>

> > Inability to switch is usually because of low adrenal function.

> > Could be low ferritin too. Has your cortisol and ferritin been

> > tested?

>

> My cortisol is very low. Shows Stage 5 on results. Haven't had

> ferritin tested though.

>

>

>

> > Be warned, a " full thyroid panel " does not include Free T3, the one

> > test that really shows your thyroid function.

>

> Thanks for that! I'll be sure to do that.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yeah...looked like Stage 5 w/ results. I want to make sure I get the

thyroid tests I need. T3 was suggested and you mentioned the

antibiodies. Is there anything else I should make sure is on the lab

form?

[Guest guest]

Yep, can't remember diddly! 5.0 is high for a TSH, so you probably are hypo.

regardless. The ranges are too broad which is why they don't help that much

in diagnosis and definatley are pretty worthless for treatment. Most people

feel best with a TSH of around 2.0 or so. You should also ask to have your

thyroid antibodies tested as well if you haven't had them tested before.

Your cortisol #'s put you in stage 5 (I think, if I did that wrong, someone

please correct me!). That means you really need HC to help with your

adrenals. Just supplements or even Isocort isn't likely to be strong enough

to really do you any good.

Cherie

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright

> Can't remember??! Well then!

>

> Wonder what is it she is going to give me then. TSH was orignally 5.0

> where 5.5 was top of " normal " range. I went to primary doc for

> migraines that I had been having for about 1 year..pretty much since

> my 2nd child was born. He decided to test thyroid. I was lethargic,

> gaining weight (hadn't gained since high school!), foggy-thinking, no

> short term memory and falling asleep by 7:00 many nights. However, I

> was also on an anti-depressant so who knows what was causing what

> back then!

>

> Anyway, I know (now!) that TSH doesn't tell much but so far that's

> the only thryoid test I've had.

>

> Here are my results:

>

> Labs:

>

> Cortisol

> AM 9 (13-24)

> Noon 3 (5-10)

> PM 3 (3-8)

> Midn. 2 (1-4) )

>

> Estrone >100 (30-58)

>

> Estradiol 20 (7-20)

>

> Estriol 58 (12-25)

>

> DHEA 8 (3-100

>

> Testosterone 19 (8-20)

>

> Progesterone 601 (65-500)

>

> I had been taking oral prog. 2 months prior

> > so may have had some impact

> >

> > SIgA 5 (25-60) still not sure what this really means

> > Intolerance to soy and milk

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, it won't be a huge thing if she really wants to go ahead and do it. It

would probably just show a more accurate picture if you waited a few days or

a week or so. Yes, you definately need to get levels on your Free T3,

FreeT4, and Reverse T3 would be good as well if she'll do it. You also

definatley need the thyroid antibodies and the ferratin level.

Rie

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright

> Based on my current 4 hours of research, that makes sense to me!

>

> I have to confess, I have a hard time being upfront w/ docs. I was

> proud of myself today but it gets uncomfortable for me when I know

> something that I need/want and they are suggesting something different.

> They can't know everything and I don't expect them to but I find it

> difficult to say,... " here is what I've found. Here is what I want to

> do! "

>

> Anyway, I need a provider who at least somewhat gets it that is willing

> to work with me and I know it has to be a partnership. She is

> defintitely the best I've found so far. However, she now suggested the

> thyroid panel and if it doesn't make sense to do it now, I'm not sure

> how to address that with her.

>

> Do you not think it would be good to have the T3 and others that I

> haven't had before? Always only have had TSH.

>

>

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9:51 AM

[Guest guest]

For thyroid no, but make suer they are the Free levels and NOT the total

ones. The total ones are useless. You need the Free T3, Free T4, TSH,

Reverse T3 (RT3), thyroid antibodies, and ferratin (iron storage, not

hemoglobin and hemocrit)levels at the very least.

Rie

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy

enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright

> Yeah...looked like Stage 5 w/ results. I want to make sure I get the

> thyroid tests I need. T3 was suggested and you mentioned the

> antibiodies. Is there anything else I should make sure is on the lab

> form?

>

>

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.15/1249 - Release Date: 1/29/2008

9:51 AM

[Guest guest]

Hey there, Cherie. I saw the doc today and she did give me Isocort. You

suggested in a post that this is not likely to be strong enough to help

straighten me out (due to labs showing me in Stage 5). I'm researching

it today and tonight but would like your input. Why do you think it

won't cut it? Don't other seem to do okay with it? Thank ya, ma'am!