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Posted 9/20/2016 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
Wondering what folks are taking for low adrenal function. One of my doctors wants to give me very low dose of hydrocortisone, but I really don't want to go that route. My adrenals are still in range for the first two tested timeframes, but slightly lower than the reference range for the latter two times. So he wants me to take 7.5mg am, 5 mid-morning, 2.5 early afternoon. He says that so many of his patients have gotten better using this. I just don't know. He also said that this is probably why I am so sensitive to things because of the lower adrenal function.

What do you guys do? And what are your thoughts?


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Posted 9/20/2016 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
My naturopath bumped up my adrenal support and it made a huge difference in how I have felt in the last 7 months. My llmd had me on an adrenal support formula that contained a low dose of licorice (10 mg maybe) and the ND bumped it up to 75mg per day with vitamin C and iron, even though I was in the low/normal reference range for iron.

He said I could double the licorice dose if I felt I needed it.

Obviously a different scenario than cortef but the extra support might give you a big boost. Addressing underlying issues more heavily in the last year; adrenal support, immune support, food sensitivities etc.. has made a big difference for me. I have much more stamina and overall staying power. Still some symptoms from the infections but not feeling like a "sick person" anymore.

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of cortisone, maybe your doctor could prescribe something else.
Posted 9/20/2016 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I did a saliva cortisol at the end of July that showed low cortisol at all 4 intervals though-out the day.

Based on information from stopthethyroidmadness, I've started Adrenal Cortex.

I started with Thorne Adrenal Cortex. Very important note: this is not Thorne Cortex. "Cortex" and "Adrenal Cortex" are two different things... the later is just the cortex, while the former is cortex plus adrenaline, which your body does not need right now...very important.

I found the Thorne Adrenal Cortex (50mg) to be too expensive for the dosage I wanted (800-1000mg daily).

I've now switched to Prothera Adrenal Cortex (250mg). Unfortunately it's only been two months on the Adrenal Cortex, so I'm not doing another saliva cortisol test until November, so I don't know if it's doing anything.

For what it's worth, my LLMD has no problem prescribing Cortef, and plans to put me on it if my saliva cortisol comes back low in November, despite my aggressive adrenal cortex use.

Again, pure adrenal cortex, not the formulations being marketed as cortex by Thorne and other companies that contain adrenaline/adrenal.
Posted 9/20/2016 8:10 PM (GMT 0)

sunny40 said...
My naturopath bumped up my adrenal support and it made a huge difference in how I have felt in the last 7 months. My llmd had me on an adrenal support formula that contained a low dose of licorice (10 mg maybe) and the ND bumped it up to 75mg per day with vitamin C and iron, even though I was in the low/normal reference range for iron.

He said I could double the licorice dose if I felt I needed it.

Obviously a different scenario than cortef but the extra support might give you a big boost. Addressing underlying issues more heavily in the last year; adrenal support, immune support, food sensitivities etc.. has made a big difference for me. I have much more stamina and overall staying power. Still some symptoms from the infections but not feeling like a "sick person" anymore.

If you feel uncomfortable with the idea of cortisone, maybe your doctor could prescribe something else.


Thanks. Are you taking the licorice thoughout the day or one big dose.
Posted 9/20/2016 8:13 PM (GMT 0)

Mustard Seed said...
I did a saliva cortisol at the end of July that showed low cortisol at all 4 intervals though-out the day.

Based on information from stopthethyroidmadness, I've started Adrenal Cortex.

I started with Thorne Adrenal Cortex. Very important note: this is not Thorne Cortex. "Cortex" and "Adrenal Cortex" are two different things... the later is just the cortex, while the former is cortex plus adrenaline, which your body does not need right now...very important.

I found the Thorne Adrenal Cortex (50mg) to be too expensive for the dosage I wanted (800-1000mg daily).

I've now switched to Prothera Adrenal Cortex (250mg). Unfortunately it's only been two months on the Adrenal Cortex, so I'm not doing another saliva cortisol test until November, so I don't know if it's doing anything.

For what it's worth, my LLMD has no problem prescribing Cortef, and plans to put me on it if my saliva cortisol comes back low in November, despite my aggressive adrenal cortex use.

Again, pure adrenal cortex, not the formulations being marketed as cortex by Thorne and other companies that contain adrenaline/adrenal.

Mustardseed so you don't have any reservations with possibly having to take Cortef?
Posted 9/20/2016 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I am a bit low in cortisol, too. I have to check my report..but I think at two points in the day/evening.
I've also tested low in progesterone...and I've got some bio-identical progesterone that I think I will try.

It converts to cortisol...so maybe I will be able to increase my cortisol by taking the Progest.
Posted 9/20/2016 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know WHO recommended it here, but I integrated Adrenal Caps by PURE upon their recommendation, and intuitively added something for my HPA access. I was not able to cope with ANY stress! The HPA homeopathic formula I really felt supported by. So, so, so much improved - not only this but of course the treatment for lyme itself and listening to my body and R E S T I N G!!
Another useful link from others..
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=30&m=3593187
Posted 9/20/2016 8:44 PM (GMT 0)

Krimpet 🍔 said...

Mustard Seed said...
I did a saliva cortisol at the end of July that showed low cortisol at all 4 intervals though-out the day.

Based on information from stopthethyroidmadness, I've started Adrenal Cortex.

I started with Thorne Adrenal Cortex. Very important note: this is not Thorne Cortex. "Cortex" and "Adrenal Cortex" are two different things... the later is just the cortex, while the former is cortex plus adrenaline, which your body does not need right now...very important.

I found the Thorne Adrenal Cortex (50mg) to be too expensive for the dosage I wanted (800-1000mg daily).

I've now switched to Prothera Adrenal Cortex (250mg). Unfortunately it's only been two months on the Adrenal Cortex, so I'm not doing another saliva cortisol test until November, so I don't know if it's doing anything.

For what it's worth, my LLMD has no problem prescribing Cortef, and plans to put me on it if my saliva cortisol comes back low in November, despite my aggressive adrenal cortex use.

Again, pure adrenal cortex, not the formulations being marketed as cortex by Thorne and other companies that contain adrenaline/adrenal.

Mustardseed so you don't have any reservations with possibly having to take Cortef?

No reservations whatsoever. I'm not feeling better without Cortef, so why not try it if it might help.
Posted 9/20/2016 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was taking one big dose in the morning. I only took it for a few months and then took a trial off of it and was in good shape. It was a game-changer. I am pretty tiny so the one dose was enough but ND said I could take a lunchtime dose too if my energy started dwindling.

After 5 months of no adrenal support I recently resumed the low dose formula from my llmd as a precaution because life became a little crazy and stressful for a few weeks.
Posted 9/20/2016 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
I take adrenal cortex (1 cap) in morning and afternoon. Also, take Adapten-All (2 caps in morning).

I am no longer crashing in afternoon, but not sure if it's due to adrenal meds or anti-viral (famvir) working on my ebv. Hoping to test both in the next few months.
Posted 9/20/2016 10:30 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
I am a bit low in cortisol, too. I have to check my report..but I think at two points in the day/evening.
I've also tested low in progesterone...and I've got some bio-identical progesterone that I think I will try.

It converts to cortisol...so maybe I will be able to increase my cortisol by taking the Progest.

Girlie my doctor said that Progesterone can theoretically convert to cortisol so it *might* increase cortisol levels. He said that progesterone can also further aggravate the adrenals.
Posted 9/20/2016 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
I used to take licorice root.....perhaps I should try that again. I'm just confused. I tried adrenal cortex last year but that served to make me jittery. Perhaps I should have just dumped out more and titrate up very slowly. I just hate being so sensitive to things.
Posted 9/20/2016 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
The adrenal cortex made you jittery because you likely took a supplement with adrenal in it instead of just adrenal cortex. Many supplements labeled as adrenal cortex contain adrenal. Look at Thorne Cortex for instance. Same goes for the ones that contain licorice and other stuff like that....they contain adrenal that your body doesn't need. Try straight adrenal cortex.
Posted 9/20/2016 11:01 PM (GMT 0)
Mustard Seed did you mean Thorne Cortrex? I took Thorne Adrenal Cortex.
Posted 9/20/2016 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I thought both Thorne Adrenal Cortex and Thorne Cortex has adrenal in them..but one has other ingredients, too?

(It's been awhile since I read about them)


Krimpet - I think because my Progesterone is very low...that it's probably the first place I should start...if I do want to try to support my hormones. In the hormone pyramid...cortisol comes from progesterone.
I'm hesitating doing anything though...lol...
Posted 9/20/2016 11:25 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with you Girlie....hesitating on doing anything although I know I need to do something 😂
Posted 9/20/2016 11:38 PM (GMT 0)

Krimpet 🍔 said...
Mustard Seed did you mean Thorne Cortrex? I took Thorne Adrenal Cortex.

You took the right stuff then. It's very confusing because both products sounds the same but are different.
Posted 9/20/2016 11:42 PM (GMT 0)

Girlie said...
I thought both Thorne Adrenal Cortex and Thorne Cortex has adrenal in them..but one has other ingredients, too?

(It's been awhile since I read about them)


Krimpet - I think because my Progesterone is very low...that it's probably the first place I should start...if I do want to try to support my hormones. In the hormone pyramid...cortisol comes from progesterone.
I'm hesitating doing anything though...lol...

Thorne Cortex has the entire adrenal gland, while Thorne Adrenal Cortex has only the cortex (part of the gland)
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