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...
Had a funny feeling that maybe my urge to stuff myself starting in the afternoon and into the evening might have something to do with my low cortisol levels....
I did a little consultation with Dr. Google and - sure enough: BED (Binge Eating Disorder) has been correlated in a number of studies with low cortisol levels.
So - the good news is: I can stop blaming myself for behaving like a starving polar bear on a bone pile....
The not-so-good news is that I am terrified of taking cortef. The best natural supplement is Licorice Root - it works really well for me in raising my energy levels, but it raises my low blood pressure to something out of sight too high. Not an option.
As for exercise, (which also raises cortisol if you exert yourself enough), I can do it in the morning - when my cortisol levels are high enough to ALMOST be in "normal" range. But IF I try to do the same workout when my levels are low????? Fahgetta bout it, as we say in Brooklyn. I just don't have the energy to MOVE, let alone work out...
BOOO HISSS!!!
Is anyone else on cortef? How has it worked out for you?
xo
I did a little consultation with Dr. Google and - sure enough: BED (Binge Eating Disorder) has been correlated in a number of studies with low cortisol levels.
So - the good news is: I can stop blaming myself for behaving like a starving polar bear on a bone pile....
The not-so-good news is that I am terrified of taking cortef. The best natural supplement is Licorice Root - it works really well for me in raising my energy levels, but it raises my low blood pressure to something out of sight too high. Not an option.
As for exercise, (which also raises cortisol if you exert yourself enough), I can do it in the morning - when my cortisol levels are high enough to ALMOST be in "normal" range. But IF I try to do the same workout when my levels are low????? Fahgetta bout it, as we say in Brooklyn. I just don't have the energy to MOVE, let alone work out...
BOOO HISSS!!!
Is anyone else on cortef? How has it worked out for you?
xo
I know Dr. Google says awfully scary things about cortef (and steroids in general) just as it says wicked scary things about thyroid supplements (you'll die of a heart attack!....grr). Here's the deal with both of those things:
If you're compensating for what is NOT there (a shortage) then those things aren't of any concern. They're only a concern if you're adding thyroid supplements to a healthy thyroid or cortisol to an already healthy level of cortisol. Make sense?
Life is allllll about the balancing act. Too much of anything can be deadly. Just as too little can be deadly. It depends on BALANCE.
Cortef is absolutely nothing to worry about if you have a deficiency. You're just replacing what isn't there.
And there are lots of people who swear by cortef - GageL can't live without it. I use a small dosage steroids - it works better for ME. But, I have no reservations about cortef for those who need it.
I am at my wit's end here.....
I just took a look at STTM's section on cortisol and was actually kinda shocked that there is no mention of the one factor that we KNOW plays a role in low cortisol..... Women who have been sexually abused or assaulted are one population that has been shown to have chronically low cortisol levels. It used to be thought that anyone with PTSD is affected, but the most recent research shows that is not the case. My personal theory is that the abuse or assault messes up our estrogen output & that is what is compromising the adrenal glands.
Only a theory, but....
It all has a beautiful logic to it.
Study after study HAS proven that people who are on "constant alert" for an extended period of time have cortisol deficiencies. And, it doesn't necessarily mean "military style" alert where you're armed, have training, and backup - but, rather, constant EMOTIONAL alert. Where there's trauma, threat of attack/reliving the attack, and being ill equipped to deal with it (and no child is equipped for THAT, right?). So, that makes perfect sense and is, indeed, in line with the studies that have been conducted thus far.
I'll say this about STTM (and it's only my opinion) they are passionate, they've brought alot of attention to thyroid disorders, they've highlighted big problems, it's run by ONE woman (or was for a long time), but...and this is a BIG but: They have a hardline stance that mirrors that of the endocrinological medical community on SOME issues. It's a one-size-fits-all mentality...and that's dangerous. I don't know if it's a lack of time, research, or what the deal is...but some of it is scary and unnecessarily so.
I believe in enlightening people, giving them tools to find what works for THEM (because we are not all the same), and helping them get to the goal of optimal.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696583/
http://www.blueknot.org.au/WHAT-WE-DO/Resources/General-Information/Impact-on-brain
http://www.cdc.gov/cfs/news/features/childhood_adversity.html
Those studies highlight a medical theory that seems to be gaining traction - that people in emotionally/physically abusive situations will have a flood of adreneline/cortisol for a long period of time...then flame out - resulting in lots of physical/mental issues, most of which are tied together (CFS, Thyroid Disease, Adrenal Disease, etc).
Going to take a look at your links right now.