New to Group, some basic Questions

[aviano]

Hello everybody..
I was advised to come here (great group have been reading and learning a lot) from someone on the Rhythmic Living Yahoo group message board. I understand Chris is out, but I'm hoping that he'll either be back soon or one of the other moderators can help.

I'm not sure it this is the place to post an entire story, so I'll keep it ASAP (as short as possible) with my primary problem(s) listed. Any and all advice/experiences appreciated.

I was dianosed hypo/Hashi's in 1996. Did reasonably well on Armour only from 1998 forward (as long as I kept tsh to about .35) unTIL perimenopause AND an idiot DO added in progesterone. About 6-8 mos into the pg, I crashed..depression, racing thoughts, panic attacks (which I'd never had before), severe anxiety and a symptom I'll call, for lack of a better term, "racing". Not heart racing, but a feeling of way too much adrenaline. Have not been the same since and that was late '03.

Racing comes/goes with certain triggers (won't list them all here but sex hormones or trying to up my Armour past 1 and 1/8 gr will definitely get it going) but will typically settle down. In addition to the racing, I suffer from extreme fatigue/severe depression from time to time. I've had all kinds of docs try to help me figure this out, but not one has done so as yet..I have a great one now that I'm working with (he was a student of William McK Jefferies at UVA) that will work with me. I have had all kinds of testing done and I am a very well educated pt when it comes to thyroid and sex hormones. I know some about adrenals (have Jefferies and Wilsons book..have kept up with NTH adrenals) but I seem to be pretty comlicated.

Diagnoses include: Lyme; Graves/Hashi's; menopausal, low PTH, severe osteo in hips (I'm only 49); Lyme doc says low vasopressin levels..but symptoms dissipated, maybe low aldo, have had inconsistent both saliva AND serum cortisol results. I've had labs done out the yin-yang for the last 5 years.

I HAVE to address the bone loss, so I'm assuming that means sex hormones. I'm hearing that I have to address the adrenals, but I am unsure where to start and I really need some good help.

Like many of you, I'm sure..I have completely lost what used to be a full, vibrant, and productive life. My life now, while a little better than it was during the height of peri, is still pretty much hell on earth. Thanks in advance for any help or advice you can give.

Avi (Angie)

[justaustin]

Welcome!

Fractal1 (Ruth) has a sticky near top of page. How about starting a "member Log" for yourself. You can detail history, labs, current meds and failed therapies. You can update your log as needed. You can either include a link to your log when you post or establish up a "signature" (edit your member profile) at the bottom with a link to your member log. The signature will show up automatically with each post.

We will be able to better help you when you can provide as much info/labs and such. Even if you think something might not be helpful.

Laurie

[aviano]

Hello Laurie,
Thanks for answering..I'll try to get this done over the weekend. I've got YEARS of labs..serum, saliva, urinary..how far back do you want me to go?
Also, does/has anybody on this site dealt with the racing or feeling of WAY too much adrenaline with the estrogen? Anybody had any success with adding in sex hormones and mitigating this symptom?
Angie

[justaustin]

Symptoms of too much adrenalin is usually do to low cortisol. Low cortisol folks usually produce too much adrenalin. Body is probably trying to get adrenals in higher gear to produce cortisol...but too much adrenalin is produced instead.

IDEALLY, the order of identifying/treating hormonal deficiencies is this: Adrenals/cortisol, thyroid, sex hormones, growth hormone (if hypopit).

You need optimal cortisol to tolerate thyroid hormone replacment. Optimizing cortisol and thyroid may result in better hormonal balance. Low thyroid hormone can impact sex hormones. So when you hear of a young woman with Premature Ovarian Failure..you have to stronly suspect underlying thyroid and possibly cortisol deficiencies. Or even hypopit.

Laurie

[aviano]

Hi Laurie:
there is just so much info on this site, I am overwhelmed..and I've already read/learned a lot during this menopausal "ordeal".
I saw my neurologist/hormone doc today. He is willing to prescribe cortef and/or let me experiment with some Isocort.
I realize that the order that one needs to go in is adrenals, then thyroid..however, I've been taking Armour for years. I also have Graves antibodies and I understand that Cortef may aggravate or exacerbate the condition..Can you help me with how to start?
I have not posted labs/history, etc., aas there is so much. Again, how far back do you want me to go?
Angie

[justaustin]

Join the club. I also have Graves antibodies(TSI) and ultrasound findings consistent with hashi's. Hypothyroidism is predominant, for now. My kids inherited my TSI antibodies but are hypo too. Whole 'notha story.

I haven't found that cortef exacerbated my graves anti's. Perhaps he thinks you'll go "hyper" with the addition of cortef with taking Armour. You will if you don't reduce or stop your Armour prior to starting and titrating the HC. As you titrate your HC up, your body will start to utilize available thyroid hormone. So by stopping the Armour you'll avoid serious thyroid dumping. After you begin experiencing a return of hypothyroid sx, you restart and ramp up Armour. You might find that you may need more Armour than prior to cortef.

Please follow the following guide in this link to starting and titrating cortef. It works.
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/how-to-treat/

How is your ferritin? Optimal is 70-80. Need to have it tested if not done recently. Low ferritin can make tolerance to thyroid hormone more challenging. If your ferritin isn't high, then it's safe to take lots of vitamin C. This will help with your adrenals and will help with your auto immune thyroid issues. Also, taking quercetin will help with the TSI antibodies too. If it becomes a challenge, docs have been known to try the "block and replace" approach to managing graves and hashi's.

Isocort is generally a bridge until you can get doc onboard with treating with HC.

Sort through what you think is pertinent for the last few years.

You are welcome,
Laurie

[aviano]

Laurie:
I haven't tested ferritin in a while, but it is usually pretty low. My primary symptom is this feeling of too much adrenaline that I am talking about. I can take some Jarrow iron, and it will help me feel better, but then I get what I call "racing". Vitamin C and possibly quercetin will also aggravate..as will bodywork therapy and/or acupuncture. Bad pollen or ragweed

seasons will also aggravate, but I can count on estradiol doing it every time, eventually.
I know this sounds a little unusual, but lest you think I'm a total kook, there are about 10 of us that experience this feeling of too much adrenaline when trying to add in E from the various boards.
I don't know what you know about bipolar illness, but it feels a little manicky. However, prior to peri and a Graves episode in 2004 (and oral progesterone shortly before), I had never really had this symptom prior.

Appreciate your help..I've struggled with this for almost 6 years and I've become a very educated pt myself. I've helped others and have come to chris/this board at the recommendation of one of the Rhythmic Living moderators.

My case (and those of the women like me) have stumped physicians from the east coast to the west..I've yet to find a solution to the problem and I really need E for the osteo and brain functioning/mood.

[justaustin]

Optimal ferritin is 70-80. Avoid iron for a minimum of 3 days prior to retesting.

Environmental/seasonal "allergies" are likely due to low cortisol. The adrenalin symptoms COULD be related to low cortisol. It can also be related to Graves.

Have you/your doc discussed the Block and Replace approach to managing Graves and Hashi's? Taking PTU(or other med for example) and beta blocker to block Graves antibodies and the adrenalin associated with it PLUS thyroid hormone replacement.

Do you see Dr. G.? I live in RTP area.

Looks like you have autoimmune polyendocrinopathy. Have you had all of your endocrine systems tested(pituitary, pernicious anemia,celiac, Morning ACTH,Morning Cortisol with DHEA-S?

Laurie