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Help on understanding Adrenal glands!

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Posted 5/1/2013 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
confused   Do most of you peeps have adrenal gland problems? And what do you think about the saliva test? I have had the bood test for thyroid and it was all normal but heard that this isn't always the case. It could be a cortisol problem? Yes, its me Andy again.
Posted 5/1/2013 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
andy cotton candy,

The Adrenal Glands are a huge issue for many Lyme patients for several reasons. When you experience prolonged illness, the adrenals go into overdrive to compensate for suboptimal performance by the rest of the body. In this stage they may create excess cortisol which can cause major problems. If this continues for a long enough time, they may "burn out" and crash. When this happens, they will not produce enough cortisol for the normal requirements of the body, let alone the enhanced requirements that a very ill person experiences.

I have done a lot of research on this as my daughter has been diagnosed as not creating enough cortisol (adrenal insufficiency). She has been prescribed bio-identical low dose hydrocortisone. We plan to wean her off of it this summer, assuming that her glands have recovered. Adrenal Insufficiency is definitely a possibility for chronically ill people with Lyme and coinfections. Adrenal Insufficiency can be caused by Hypothalamus or Pituitary malfunction as well. Adrenal dysfunction can also be associated with thyroid dysfunction.

My daughter started out with the saliva test. this was followed up by an MD administered ACTH stimulation test. I believe that the saliva test is a reliable test. In my daughter's case, the blood test confirmed the results of the saliva test.

I am very tired right now, and am going to bed. I can hardly think, but I may post something in more detail tomorrow. I know that there are a few other members that have some experience with this issue, and I hope that they chime in.

Don
Posted 5/1/2013 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Andy,


Yes, adrenal issues are very common and I have been treated for low adrenal function for years. The plan is to eventually wean off the bio-identical cortisol that I am on.

I recently asked both my docs about the blood vs. saliva test for cortisol.

They measure different aspects of how the adrenal glands are doing, in a nutshell. The saliva test, they said, is used more often.

I get a kit to do at home from diagnostecs labs..from the doc. It measures the cortisol at different times throughout the day...this is very valuable information! More info that just a one-shot blood draw.

Also, thryoid problems are common and can be related to adrenasl or not.

I would suggest making sure you doctor is well versed in hormones and knows about the relationship to chronic illness..

do you have an LLDoc? if so, they should be able to help you and understand how to test and treat.

Don't worry to much...it is a common problem and getting the right adrenal support can make you feel a lot better. More stable energy, better sleep, etc.

also..fyi: things to help adrenal function: eat and sleep on a the same schedule every day. This helps adrenals and fatigue. B vitamins, especially B6 and B12. sodium can be low if adrenals are compromised (mine is consistently)..so make sure get enough good quality sale (sea-salt).

hope this helps!!!
Nan
Posted 5/1/2013 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Another note about the sea salt - be sure it has iodine in it!!! Iodine helps keep the thyroid going!

Once I started treating my adrenals, I felt so much better! Mine were dangerously close to shutting down, so I figure I've got quite some times left on my treatment schedule. I assume they heal at different rates for different people - just like everything else though.
Posted 5/2/2013 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Was your thyroid for sure normal? You can have "normal" TSH and abnormal T3 & T4.

Also, there are differences of opinion as to what a normal TSH is. Some doctors still go with the old "5" as being normal!!!! New standard is 3 on the top end - and that is still very high.

If your T3 & T4 were not tested, ask for that test. And, ask for the actual numbers from the test. Don't accept the letter that says "normal" without the actual results.
Posted 5/2/2013 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
another point is that cortisol saliva tests can tell you what type of problem you have

. I had one done testing throughout the day and found that its normal level throughout the day but at night cortisol rises which is keeping me up and throughout the day exhausted.

So any thoughts on a remedy for night time cortisol rise?

Posted 5/25/2013 2:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! My results came back and man my cortisol level us sky high. It dips down around 4-6pm but afterwards it sky rockets again. My kinesiologist did a saliva test. The good news is we caught them while they are high before they crash! This also explains the extra anxiety. So glad I found this doctor. I've been placed on 2 supplements to assist with getting them down. This test also discovered that I'm sensitive to gluten! Who knew these tests could do all of this.

I pray that I feel relief soon and that everything will balance out. I feel like this was the missing piece to the Lyme puzzle!

Praying for healing for everyone!
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