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...
Hi,
Let me know what you guys think.
FT4 1.97 (.82-1.77)
FT3 4.9 (2.0-4.4)
Free testosterone less than .2 (.0-2.2)
DHEA 46.6 (57.3-279.2)
Testosterone 6 (8-48)
I stopped taking my DHEA and progesterone when my estrogen level went through the roof. I take 10mg hydrocortisone in the morning and 5 mg at noon. I take 2.5mg testosterone. Started the DHEA again after I saw the level.
Even though my thyroid levels are good, I still feel like I have no energy. I am worried that my adrenals are headed for a full fledged crisis. I have also been craving salt(not like me) and wonder if my aldosterone levels are bad too.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Let me know what you guys think.
FT4 1.97 (.82-1.77)
FT3 4.9 (2.0-4.4)
Free testosterone less than .2 (.0-2.2)
DHEA 46.6 (57.3-279.2)
Testosterone 6 (8-48)
I stopped taking my DHEA and progesterone when my estrogen level went through the roof. I take 10mg hydrocortisone in the morning and 5 mg at noon. I take 2.5mg testosterone. Started the DHEA again after I saw the level.
Even though my thyroid levels are good, I still feel like I have no energy. I am worried that my adrenals are headed for a full fledged crisis. I have also been craving salt(not like me) and wonder if my aldosterone levels are bad too.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
My thyroid is basically back in order now thankfully. The adrenals crashed several times this last year and am now on HC of 30 mgs per day divided up into 20 mg AM and 10 mg about 3pm. Your dose of 15mg is really quite low and most likely not adequate.
Friday I take the stim test, so have been on replacement Dexamethasone last 2 weeks to prepare. Have you done this test yet?
Maybe worth having a chat with your doc and increasing the dose to see if it makes a difference perhaps. .
Hope you don't mind me pondering...I may be barking up the wrong tree entirely but that's where I'd start I think..
No I haven't done that test yet. What is it all about?
I am going to get copies of my saliva test to see where my levels are. Maybe I need an increase in hydrocortisone? Will an increase still be a physiological dose?
laus81,
Thanks for your input. I have no idea what's going on!! Ugh!!
I understand a physiological dose is up to 30mg, I take 25mg myself.
I hate taking the stuff, scares the dickins out of me but it kinda is what it is. The thought of staying how I was scares me more. You might need to look at other signs - is your BP falling when you stand for example. I wonder whether your doc would give you a trial of a bit more - I should imagine it would be pretty quick to reveal itself if that was the problem.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RdON5RMiDDo
Here's your lab breakdown (which you probably already know)
Free T4
Range: 0.820 -1.770
Result: 1.970
Percent of Range: 121.05%
Free T3
Range: 2.000 -4.400
Result: 4.900
Percent of Range: 120.83%
Now, my thyroid levels are "above range" too, but if you're not having thyroid symptoms perhaps it IS something else - like cortisol or progesterone.
My memory isn't what it used to be, so I'm gonna ask you a couple questions, K? If it isn't appropriate for the "boards" please message me and we can work it out.
Are you still producing your own hormones? Did you have a hysterectomy or oophorectomy? I ask because these operations are often given to women with thyroid issues because of all the trouble thyroid problems cause (and then it's blamed on the "female organs" but that's another thread).
I mention this because unopposed estrogen can be very unsettling. Progesterone is the yin to Estrogen's yang. It keeps the body balanced. I no longer produce my own sex hormones (yay - NOT), so I take estrogen AND progesterone. The progesterone takes the edge off the typical estrogen dominant symptoms:
Itchy
Bitchy
Jittery
Anxious
Sleeplessness
Hotflashes
There are more but that's the top six.
Progesterone counter-balances estrogen. I take mine typically at night. It helps me sleep and creates a sense of calm. It also keeps me from blowing up like a balloon (water retention is common in estrogen dominance as well). I know WAY more about this than I would like. I took me quite some time to balance mine out, but it's worth it!
Unfortunately, our bodies are like a symphony. And, everything has to be in balance for us to feel well. Please let me know the answer to my question and we'll go from there.
I also have very low cortisol. I take a low dosage of rx'd prednisone every day. That, too, has to be in balance.
I admit, I don't know squat about DHEA.
I thought my estrogen was too high and I had some bad PMS so he put me on progesterone. All was well but then I started to not feel so well and it turned out my estrogen went really high. I still have my ovaries and still get my period.
I have no hyper symptoms and I think I feel bad b/c of the adrenals.
Ah, it's a tangle. But, I'm sure you'll unravel it.
That's why I'm here learning.
That video rocked and was brilliant!
DR, yes, 30 mg would be considered a physiological dose. I hate taking hydrocortisone but have no choice in the matter and you might be in the same situation.
I take the saliva test whilst on the HC and then that is taken into consideration when reading the results of cortisol levels. For example, when I was on just 15 mgs my levels were still miserable. Went up to 20, then 25 mgs over several months and levels improved drastically. Now on 30mg I am probably just about in the right place.
Re: the STIM test, from what I understand from my adrenal specialist, it determines how tanked or ruined or non functioning the adrenals are and its relationship to the pituitary. Its vital that it be taken to know just how sick or not your adrenals are and then treat as such with supplementation. Will report on Friday's test when I know if I have Addison's or not.
Its all complicated and disturbing and I dont know anyone who enjoys adrenal insufficiency or crash, or Addison's. It changes your entire life but I think or hope that with adequate meds, we can live a rather normal exitence. Normal for being on steroids that is. But it is what it is and we dont really have a choice. I feel for you. Its not fun at all. A real challenge.
The infalliable TSH test one is a hoot too if you fancy a gander :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tOb2POQGE6g
Good luck with the doc DR it sounds like they've got you walking half way down the road with your HC - at least if it is that you've got a tangible explanation and the ability to correct the issue. Gah I hate cortisol, if only we didn't need it to live hey.