Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...

[Guest guest]

A couple of ya'll have mentioned DHEA. Mine always tested in the

middle lab range, so I'm not deficient there. In fact, I have been

having alot of facial hair problems in the last few years, and that

is why they have tested my testosterone(normal) and DHEA.

I have an appt. with Manzanero's P.A. in December, so will definitely

let ya'll know the outcome for a treatment plan.

Another problem, especially this week, is I've been feeling like my

one thyroid nodule has been growing. When I asked about that last

winter, an ultrasound at a new place said I no longer had a nodule

(for a couple of years previously I had a 1.3cm left nodule). Then

this Sept. at my usual endo, the ultrasound said everything

was " still the same " , as I still had my usual nodule. My neck feels

like when I turn toward the nodule it is pressing into my trachea.

Other times,at random, I feel a tugging sensation while just looking

straight ahead. Anybody feel that with a growing nodule? What test

should I ask that might see all of that better? Sorry to be such

a " needy " member this week!

> >

> > I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal impairment

that

> > keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I am in

that

> > boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those that

> > experienced this can explain:

> >

> > 1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get

unbearably

> > hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this what

low

> > adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not trying any

> > thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could

explain low

> > adrenals.

> >

> > 2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour drive

away, and

> > waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that was

willing

> > to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too scared to

start on

> > the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above symptoms

find

> > relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did your body

settle

> > down?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Do not rely on your doctor to tell you

normal. That is a setting on the washing machine

LOL... I like that one!

Jayden************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

Well my aldosterone was " normal " too, but it was very low in the

range. (range was 4-31, I was a 6) Did your doc mention where you

fell in the range?

How about blood sugar and/or inner ear problem?

Darla

> > > >

> > > > I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal

impairment

> > that

> > > > keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I am

in

> > > that

> > > > boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those that

> > > > experienced this can explain:

> > > >

> > > > 1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get

> > > unbearably

> > > > hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this

what

> > low

> > > > adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not trying

> any

> > > > thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could

> > explain

> > > low

> > > > adrenals.

> > > >

> > > > 2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour drive

> > away,

> > > and

> > > > waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that was

> > > willing

> > > > to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too scared to

> > start

> > > on

> > > > the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above

symptoms

> > > find

> > > > relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did your

body

> > > settle

> > > > down?

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

What are the test results? Do not rely on your doctor to tell you

normal. That is a setting on the washing machine.

Kate G

At 08:33 PM 11/1/2007, you wrote:

>Thank you for thinking a little deeper!-however, I've had that tested

>and IT came back normal too. I even had thought it might be that

>too, but the doc said no problem there. I have a problem where I

>can't stand up for longer than about 20 minutes before I'm very

>lightheaded and have to sit down. I've had this now for two years,

>so that's why I've had all the testing. It did sound like an

>aldosterone problem, but wasn't.

>

>

>

>

>

> > > >

> > > > I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal impairment

> > that

> > > > keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I am in

> > > that

> > > > boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those that

> > > > experienced this can explain:

> > > >

> > > > 1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get

> > > unbearably

> > > > hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this what

> > low

> > > > adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not trying

>any

> > > > thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could

> > explain

> > > low

> > > > adrenals.

> > > >

> > > > 2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour drive

> > away,

> > > and

> > > > waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that was

> > > willing

> > > > to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too scared to

> > start

> > > on

> > > > the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above symptoms

> > > find

> > > > relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did your body

> > > settle

> > > > down?

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

OK! Even though I told you my aldosterone was in the " normal " range,

I looked back at my lab results to see the actual number. And guess

what! My lab ranges for upright were anything = or < 28. For lying

down, the ranges were 3 - 16.

MY VALUE CAME BACK AT 3! So, for being upright(sitting, mostly),

my value was really toward the bottom. And I CAN'T stand up for

longer than about 20 minutes without my heart racing and extreme

lightheadedness. I bet if they tested me at 30 minutes after walking

around, they would probably find my aldosterone does not go up as

needed! I will have to have that checked by some knowledgable local

doctor where I can have the testing done under insurance. Thanks for

bringing that up. I have not been extremely knowledgable about

aldosterone like I am about my thyroid, so didn't question such a low

value.

> > > > >

> > > > > I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal

impairment

> > > that

> > > > > keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I

am in

> > > > that

> > > > > boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those

that

> > > > > experienced this can explain:

> > > > >

> > > > > 1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get

> > > > unbearably

> > > > > hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this

what

> > > low

> > > > > adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not

trying

> >any

> > > > > thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could

> > > explain

> > > > low

> > > > > adrenals.

> > > > >

> > > > > 2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour drive

> > > away,

> > > > and

> > > > > waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that

was

> > > > willing

> > > > > to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too scared

to

> > > start

> > > > on

> > > > > the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above

symptoms

> > > > find

> > > > > relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did your

body

> > > > settle

> > > > > down?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

You lend a very different and interesting aspect to adrenal support. I've

read in several places that these other substances always need to be checked

out too. We have a tendency to think of only the cortisol and dhea,

etc....but these others somehow get lost in the conversation. They're very

important. Many blood pressure problems can be attributed to these also.

Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...

> When you go to your doc to have your adrenals checked you might also

> have them check your aldosterone and renin. For me it was adrenals

> support that really helped the symptoms you describe. But I found I

> have very low aldosterone levels and supporting aldosterone was what

> put a complete end to ALL those symptoms and I have been able to

> raise my Armour.

>

> Best of luck.

>

> Darla

>

>

>>

>> Over the years, I have had a million tests. My ferritin I've

> brought

>> up from 17 to 70(and still working on it). I already take B-12

> shots

>> for the last 5 years, so no problem there. My past saliva cortisol

>> tests, done a number of times over the years, have shown low/low

>> norm. morning levels, and normal the rest of the day. I've had a

>> cortrosyn stimulation test that showed I stimulated correctly, so

> no

>> 's disease. One time my blood 8 a.m. cortisol is 6, and

>> months later, it was 15. I've been tested for blood and urine

>> catecholamines, and they come back normal. I've really run the

> gamut

>> on testing for all possibilities that could produce these symptoms,

>> and the only abnormal labs I occasionally come back with is

> thyroid.

>> I feel deep down that my adrenals are just not up to handling

> thyroid

>> meds, and they are probably jumping in back and forth to help my

> body

>> cope. That's all I can figure. I've had my heart thoroughly

> checked

>> and all is fine. My female hormones are whacky, as I'm menopausal,

>> but keep getting a period about once a year(lucky me!). I run

> tests

>> anytime I feel off, to check on thyroid and ferritin levels, among

>> other things. I have really had things checked very well! That's

>> why I'm stumped as to what could be causing these extreme

> symptoms.

[Guest guest]

Postural hypotension is a very real thing, and it is highly connected with

the adrenal glands. It happens when the blood vessels in the lower part of

the body no longer constrict to make up for the standing position.

Therefore, not much blood gets to the head. I have this also, but have

never had it " tested " . I think there's a minimum change of 20 points when

taking the BP on standing, something like that, and I THINK (don't hold me

to that) that concerns the systolic blood pressure, the upper figure.

Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...

> Thank you for thinking a little deeper!-however, I've had that tested

> and IT came back normal too. I even had thought it might be that

> too, but the doc said no problem there. I have a problem where I

> can't stand up for longer than about 20 minutes before I'm very

> lightheaded and have to sit down. I've had this now for two years,

> so that's why I've had all the testing. It did sound like an

> aldosterone problem, but wasn't.

[Guest guest]

Wow that is low. Make sure you are not eating a lot of salt a couple

of days before you have the blood draw. Like chips, chinese food or

anything with a lot of salt. If you take sea salt like I do

discontinue that as well.

Darla

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal

> impairment

> > > > that

> > > > > > keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I

> am in

> > > > > that

> > > > > > boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those

> that

> > > > > > experienced this can explain:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > 1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get

> > > > > unbearably

> > > > > > hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this

> what

> > > > low

> > > > > > adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not

> trying

> > >any

> > > > > > thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could

> > > > explain

> > > > > low

> > > > > > adrenals.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > 2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour

drive

> > > > away,

> > > > > and

> > > > > > waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that

> was

> > > > > willing

> > > > > > to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too

scared

> to

> > > > start

> > > > > on

> > > > > > the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above

> symptoms

> > > > > find

> > > > > > relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did

your

> body

> > > > > settle

> > > > > > down?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Manzanero is in Austin TX. They moved recently out to the Medical

Center near 38th street. I haven't been to their new office yet. This

is their web site, and yes they do treat adrenals and sex hormones as

well.

http://www.austinintegrativemedicine.com/

Pat

> >

> > That could very well be adrenal. It could also be ferritin related.

> And sex hormones may play a role in thyroid hormone intolerance.

> >

> > Your sister needs to see a doc who knows what they are doing.

> >

> > Manzanero in Austin is hypoadrenal himself.

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Wow, I am so sorry someone else has to contend with the light

headedness after standing about 20 minutes. I've had this since I

became sick. It was one of my first symptoms, but I also faint. I am

able to control this better now. The doctors that I have seen never

spoke about my adrenal glands and checking them or mentioned anything

about aldosterone. My (former) electro-cardiologist did a tilt table

test and told me this was happening because of an electricity problem

in my heart and told me I had Neuro-Cardiogenic Syncope and

prescribed me 2 grams of salt pills per day. No one ever looked

further than that. I am so glad to have found this group. I am

learning so much and am looking forward to my upcoming appointment

with Dr. R.

Thanks,

Tina

- In Texas_Thyroid_Groups , " "

wrote:

>

> Postural hypotension is a very real thing, and it is highly

connected with

> the adrenal glands. It happens when the blood vessels in the lower

part of

> the body no longer constrict to make up for the standing position.

> Therefore, not much blood gets to the head. I have this also, but

have

> never had it " tested " . I think there's a minimum change of 20

points when

> taking the BP on standing, something like that, and I THINK (don't

hold me

> to that) that concerns the systolic blood pressure, the upper

figure.

>

>

>

> Re: question for those on

hydrocortisone...

>

>

> > Thank you for thinking a little deeper!-however, I've had that

tested

> > and IT came back normal too. I even had thought it might be that

> > too, but the doc said no problem there. I have a problem where I

> > can't stand up for longer than about 20 minutes before I'm very

> > lightheaded and have to sit down. I've had this now for two

years,

> > so that's why I've had all the testing. It did sound like an

> > aldosterone problem, but wasn't.

>

[Guest guest]

I was not able to tolerate even a tiny dose of Armour. My heart was

pounding so hard that I was wondering at what point to call the paramedics.

I was able to tolerate the Armour after starting HC. I started the HC a few

days before restarting the Armour. I don't know if that helped but it is

what I needed to do mentally.

But I also needed to address the low ferritin and B vitamin deficiencies in

order to really start feeling better. I think maybe addressing them all has

helped my anxiety.

After starting Armour and having to stop due to hyper symptoms and waiting

to get into to Dr R, just watching the intense part of a movie at the

theatre would make me start feeling anxious.

My concern about seeing a doctor that is not experienced in HC and Armour is

finding the balance. It is my understanding that the two have to be

balanced. Last time I was in, Dr R decided to raise the Armour. I asked

about raising the HC. He did not feel that was a good idea since the two

together synergize.

Kim

question for those on hydrocortisone...

I've read that some of Dr. Rs patients have adrenal impairment that

keeps them from tolerating Armour(or any thyroid med). I am in that

boat. But there are two things I was wondering if those that

experienced this can explain:

1. I don't tolerate ANY thyroid meds, as I right away get unbearably

hot, shaky, insomnia worse, and fast heart rate. Is this what low

adrenals do? Some days I get this even though I'm not trying any

thyroid meds, so I was wondering if this, it itself, could explain low

adrenals.

2. I would love to go to Dr. R, but I am a 11-12 hour drive away, and

waaaaay to much anxiety to fly. There is a local MD that was willing

to give me hydrocortisone and Armour, but I was too scared to start on

the cortef. Did anyone with anxiety and all the above symptoms find

relief when they started cortisol-in other words, did your body settle

down?

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

What's HC?

Thanks,

Jayden************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

HC =hydrocortisone, an adrenal hormone used to raise cortisol levels

Ahhh... ok, thanks.

Thinking I probably need some of that!

Jayden************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

HC =hydrocortisone, an adrenal hormone used to raise cortisol levelsckingmytruth@... wrote: Hi Kim,What's HC?Thanks,Jayden __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hydrocortisone

Thanks... I'll be asking about this!

J************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Y'all,

I'm going to make an appt. with Manzanero tomorrow after reading many good reviews on him and going over the website. He treats many of the things I'm dealing with.... metabolic syndrome, thyroid, adrenals and the other hormones, as well as obesity and even cancer.

I like his approach... complimentary medicine first and then western medicine when need be. I've had such the run around with doctors that I have no desire to line the pharmacuetical companies pockets any more than I already have... I would much rather get to the root cause and treat it as naturally as possible.

Anyway, I shall keep y'all posted!

Thanks,

Jayden************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

Hydrocortisone

Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...Hi Kim,What's HC?Thanks,Jayden**************************************See what's new at http://www.aol.com

[Guest guest]

I had HORRIBLE anxiety when I went hyper! There were a few days that I

really felt like I was coming unraveled.

I can so relate to being very afraid to restart the Armour. I also felt

very betrayed by the doctor who started me on Armour and essentially told me

that my reaction was all in my head. I did question why I had even started

Armour. One of the few reasons that I was willing to restart was that I

knew that I needed the thyroid hormone. Before going hyper, I had actually

started to feel better. To have the taste of having my life/health back

made me very determined to get to the bottom of things.

I was so worried about seeing Dr R. I was so afraid he was going to tell me

that it was all in my head. After seeing him and having Armour prescribed

again, I really had to gather up my courage to start treatment. I finally

decided that I had to trust Dr R to handle the situation if I started

feeling hyper again...WITHOUT telling me it was all in my head.

Since starting treatment with HC, I have not needed to start an

antidepressant. I have had some tough times this past year due to LOTS OF

STRESS! But it passes and I don't feel the need to be on an antidepressant.

I have continued the prescription that I have had for many years for

anxiety. My anxiety has improved greatly but I'm not ready to even ask Dr R

about going off of it because this has been one of the most stressful years

of my life.

Kim

Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...

I hope somebody can answer your question because my sister is in this

same boat. She became almost suicidal on 60 mg of Armour and didn't

sleep for 5 days straight. Synthroid did this as well though not as

quickly as Armour did or as severe but she still refuses to touch any

thyroid medication at all now. I keep telling her it's most likely

her adrenals but because her doctor told her she was fine in that area

(she had a cortisol level of 5 at 2 in the afternoon which I think is

way too low even though it was " in range " ). She's scared to try

anything now though.

Jul

[Guest guest]

I agree. I had low ferritin and the B vitamin problems as well as low

thyroid and low adrenal. I have no doubt that is was putting ALL of the

pieces together that have helped.

Kim

Re: question for those on hydrocortisone...

Sorry, but from my personal, non-medical view, unless you are tested

completely and diagnosed properly, there is no way to know what is

contributing to your meds intolerance and anxiety.