Hypothyroidism Support Group

Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...

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franda123 03/17/2016

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice they could help my situation. Technically I should be optimized but I am not. Last blood results were the following:
Range
FT4-0.82-1.77
FT3-2.0-4.4

2/23
FT4-1.80
FT3-4.3
Reverse t3-22.4 Range over 9-24.1
Dhea-59.5 Range-29-229
Temps range from 97.7 to 95.5, bps run low, palps often but not all the time, feel cold then really hot not all the time, sleeping pretty bad, after exercising pain and recovery for days as if I have no tolerance for it. My doc realizes I have some degree of adrenal issue along with hypo although my saliva tests were not that bad. One of the levels was borderline. I have tried vitamin c and I can't tolerate. It gives me bad indigestion. Magnesium the same. He is treating me with Dhea daily 10 mg, 105 armour, 62.5 levoxyl. I've been on these meds quite awhile. He recently tried to add Pregnenolone but I couldn't tolerate because I was losing a lot of hair so that was the end of that. Is anyone else in a similar situation or takes any supplements or anything that would minimize these symptoms? History of Graves that is resolved now hypo. I believe I have the adrenal issue from years of mismanagement of thyroid and history of ovarian cancer.
Thank you,
Fran

54Mariposa 03/18/2016

Oh dear. Sounds miserable!

I am not clear - did the doctor actually test your adrenals? If you haven't done so, perhaps you might consider taking "the spit test." It will show you exactly what is going on.

franda123 03/18/2016

Yes I had the saliva testing per Doctor.

54Mariposa 03/18/2016

What did it show? Personally, I am only familiar with low cortisol, because that is what I have. Just in case, this is what you are suffering from, here is some info:

I found out through my own experience, and then some research, that many of the herbs and other substances that are commonly prescribed for "adrenal support," will actually lower cortisol levels even further.

I don't remember if DHEA was one of them.

What I found out is that there are two substances that will help with low cortisol: (1) glycyrrhiza glabra licorice and (2) powdered grapefruit seed. I think you can get them on Amazon.

Hope you feel better soon!

MButterfly 03/19/2016

Vitmamin B complex can help quite a bit with energy levels. If you have a cortisol issue, it's not gonna help that much.

The only thing that will help an adrenal issue is cortisol supplementation, but I wouldn't venture into that on my own.

dawnrose0004 03/20/2016

Franda,

The only Vit C that I can tolerate is Sundown Naturals 1000mg. I take 1 tab with a handful of am supplements. I also can take the Megafoods brand Magnesium without any problem. I take 2 at night w/the multivitamin and iron.

Do you feel over medicated? Have you tested MTHFR gene mutation?

franda123 03/20/2016

I think if anything my medication isn't working as good as it should. I haven't had levels taken in a month so maybe they fell back. I did have that test done and I think there was 1 mutation but Doctor didn't seem to think it was important however that being said I've had some winners. I do like Condren though. At least he's trying to help me. I definitely have a mix of hypo and adrenal but saliva test done by him was borderline low at third reading. I think he is trying whatever alternative he can to strengthen the adrenals. Example last 2 nights I've been up for about 3 hours in the middle of the night. Really sucks as you could imagine. Did you have a problem with taking those supplements? What about sea salt? My hair is shedding a lot as well. Thought it was from the Pregnenolone. It seemed to have started after I was on that for about a week. Also I have to keep skipping with the Dhea cause it giving me some acne on and off. That could be making it shed also. I am on 10000 of biotin. Any other ideas or suggestions?
Thanks a lot, Fran

dawnrose0004 03/21/2016

So if you had the mutation, I think the fix is supplementing w/folate. Thay made me feel a lot better. What adrenal supplements are you taking? I found gat taking those made me feel very hyper. I use a ton of Himalayan sea salt. My adrenals crave it.

franda123 03/21/2016

I really don't take anything but Dhea. As I said the Pregnenolone was making my hair fall out. At least I thing so. I am going to try the sundown vitamin c because I heard that is good for the adrenals. I just couldn't take the one I bought at condren office. It gave me indigestion. Is that common from that? And also I do the Himalayain sea salt as well. I don't really crave salt but I know I have some adrenal issues. What else have you taken or recommend? Did you have Graves or just Hashis?

dawnrose0004 03/22/2016

I tried a different brand of Vit C and my stomach was doing flip flops. So I switched back to Sundown brand. I don't have Hashi's or Grave's.

In the morning I take: my thyroid meds plus:
D3 5000iu
Biotin 5000mg
Lysine 500mg
Dhea 10mg
B6 200mg
Folate 1g
Vit C 1000mg

At night:
Magnesium 100mg
Multivitamin (no iron)
Iron

I also started eating like a normal person. Not low fat, low carb, starving myself anymore. I eat good carbs, healthy fats and healed my adrenals in the process. I'm even reducing my thyroid meds.

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