I am being treated for Adrenal Insufficiency. I take a 10mg tab in the morning and used to take an additional 5mg at noon. My noon levels went up slightly so I opted to only take the hydrocortisone in the morning. I felt my energy levels increase right away after starting the medication. I just took another saliva test to see how I'm doing(I hope I am well enough to stop taking it altogether but am prepared to take it again in the afternoon or forever). I also take 20mg DHEA. Don't notice this supplement.

If you are that low or don't make cortisol at all, you might have Addison's Disease. I can almost guarantee you will feel better, especially if your thyroid is at a comfortable level for you.

Good luck!

Thanks! It didn't put hair on your chest? There are soooo many scary things on the internet about the DHEA treatment.

:(

Here's the thing:

Too much of ANYTHING is a bad thing. It's all about balance. If you have a deficiency, it makes sense to replace it. If not..it doesn't. Right? The internet is full of scary alarming information, but also helpful information. Just remember to "keep it in context" of your situation. If you're replacing something that's missing, you won't get the over-dosage side-affects that most people get (and complain about on the internet).

GageL was treated for thyroid disease before getting his adrenal issue addressed. He had a really hard time with each increase. And, frankly, if you have addison's treating thyroid disease before treating addison's disease...it can be dangerous. But, he, like you, had flat cortisol levels. From what I understand, he's doing much better now. I would reach out to him, and see if he has any advice to offer.

Ps. I don't mean to scare you...but Addison's can be deadly if not treated.

http://stamfordintegrativemedicine.com/hypothyroidism-and-adrenal-insufficiency-video/

Thanks, Butterfly! Not sure if I have Addison's. Hope to find out tonight. I really appreciate your calming words!!!

What MB says is right on.

The mistake of treating thyroid before adrenals is insanity but most doctors dont know that.
Get your adrenals tested ASAP.

I had countless years of suffering because even the "best" specialists in the world were clueless.
Now, with proper medical care thru 3 doctors, I am symptom free.
That is with hydrocortisone replacement therapy and my thyroid meds combined.

Its a slippery slope for sure, don't feel badly.
We basically must demand proper treatment.

Thanks, Gage. I am doing much better after four days of treatment with DHEA, adaptogens, and slow-release cytomel....

I can't believe what a difference!

Thanks for your encouragement and words of caution!

:)

Hi Mariposa,
I was wondering what slow release T3 is compared to armour and also how much Dhea are you taking? I had to start as well and I have been slowly increasing my dosage to get used to. I am now on 5 mg with no side effects. I am hoping to increase to 10 or 15 since my Dhea was extremely low.
Thanks,
Fran

Mariposa, I would say you definitely have Addisons if you had a cortisol reading of 0. You need to get with an endo who has a lot of patients with this disease. Most Endo's don't treat you correctly, some just go by what the books say, and nothing more. They don't this disease but it's part of their specialty. My primary dx'd me and then found an endo with Addisons patients. I'm still with him 18 years later. He really works with me at each visit.

Mbutterfly is right that this is a life and death kind of disease. I hope you get a good diagnosis and proper treatment. And very soon.

Should say "They don't know this disease...

Sorry!

Thanks Everyone! I was on vacation at The Shore so am just logging back in today. I will check on the DHEA dosage - can't remember right now.

But THE STRESS IS BAAAAAACK! 1st day back at the office and I do not have functioning adrenal glands..... Hahahahahaha! Soooooo much fun!

:(