Dr. Joseph Burrascano, on page 4 of his paper, "Advanced Topics in Lyme Disease" states:
"HYPOTHALAMIC-PITUITARY AXIS
As an extension of the effect of chronic Lyme Disease on the central nervous system, there often is a deleterious effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Varying degrees of pituitary insufficiency are being seen in these patients, the correction of which has resulted in restoration of energy, stamina and libido, and
resolution of persistent hypotension. Unfortunately, not all specialists recognize pituitary insufficiency, partly because of the difficulty in making the laboratory diagnosis. However, the potential benefits of diagnosing and treating this justify the effort needed for full evaluation. Interestingly, in a significant number of these patients, successful treatment of the infections can result in a reversal of the hormonal dysfunction, and hormone replacement therapies can be tapered off! "
www.ilads.org/files/burrascano_0905.pdf I have found this site to be very helpful for both thyroid and adrenal issues:
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/By the time I found a Practitoner that was willing to try to help me in my home state of Arkansas, my adrenals were failing due to Lyme disease. I also have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These conditions are all too common among those who have chronic Lyme disease.
I would suggest that if you haven't had a 24 hour saliva test done for your adrenals or had the T3 & T4 tested for your thyroid that you be sure to get those done.
The 24 hour saliva test is the only one that will show if you adrenals are working properly throughout the day or if they are just dumping a bunch of hormones all at once.
The typical test for thyroid function won't really give you a good picture either - you need to have both the T3 and T4 tested, not just TSH.
And I can most certainly sympathize with you about
being 31 and so ill. By the time I was 36 I was seriously ill and house bound, weighing all of 95 lbs compared to my normal of 130 lbs. Hang in there!! Learn all you can about
not only these infections, but how to best get your body to a state where it can heal from them!