posted
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (finally) after 2 years of unexplained dry skin, fatigue, and hair loss.
I also have adrenal fatigue which I believe is contributing to the thyroid issue.
Because I have low cortisol, I am not able to tolerate the amount of thyroid meds that I need.
Does anyone know of a solution?
Posts: 287 | From Humboldt County, CA | Registered: Jul 2009
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tricia386
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 29623
posted
cortef
-------------------- Lyme activated in April 2010 by gardasil vaccine. DX: Lyme,Babs,Myco,Bart 11/10 Treatment Started: 3/28/11 Posts: 1752 | From Albany, NY | Registered: Dec 2010
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posted
You MUST fix your adrenals first or your body will not be able to absorbed the thyroid meds. A great book for this is Stop the Thyroid madness. A great doctor who uses natural supplements to get the adrenals healed is Dr. lam. Go to his websit...just google Dr. Lam and adrenal fatigue
Posts: 871 | From orange county, ca. | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Lymers, Cortef is bio-identical hormone made by the adrenal glands. It can be used to supplement what is made by the adrenal glands to let them "rest", and then weaned off as the glands get stronger.
-------------------- We really know so little about the body and the microbiome. Posts: 261 | From Southern California | Registered: Jan 2011
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MariaA
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I really liked the books:
From Fatigued To Fantastic (though note: he's REALLY big on heavy pharmaceutical solutions to things like sleep, while there is a good reason for this in his mind, do research the side effects thoroughly for drugs he recommends. Also, he mentions Lyme treatment but the dosages and treatment timeframe are inadequate, nor does he discuss coinfections). and Adrenal Fatigue: a 21st Century Disorder (or something similar in the subtitle).
Both recommend getting a handle on sleep disorders, increasing salt, various b-vitamin supplementation, and a number of other nutritional therapies as well as outright drugs like Cortef.
-------------------- Symptom Free!!! Thank you all!!!!
canefan17
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posted
In my experience the adrenals and/or thyroid can't be recovered properly if one is still dealing with Lyme & Co-infections.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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MariaA
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but it should be addressed at the same time as Lyme- it seems like you got a lot better quickly when you addressed adrenal issues, even though you didn't get over the Lyme at that point.
I had a HUGe improvement in symptoms when I followed your lead on that, by the way.
-------------------- Symptom Free!!! Thank you all!!!!
posted
Where do you buy Cortef? Do you have to have a rx?
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
Thanks everyone. Does a person always need to go on prescription meds to deal with adrenal issues (such as Cortef)?
My doc has me currently taking just 3 Adrenacort pills per day. Adrenacort is glandular tissue plus other supportive herbs such as licorice to support adrenal funtion.
I think that I'm either not on enough of this or I need to be on Cortef because I can't tolerate my thyroid meds without my pulse getting too high.
So frustrating!
Lymers
Posts: 287 | From Humboldt County, CA | Registered: Jul 2009
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
Hi Friend I would recommend heartily that you get Dr Richard Shames, MD's book Thyroid Power from the library and read it. He is really superb. www.thyroidpower.com
There are herbal solutions to both situations (adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism) look here:
www.christopherhobbs.com go to the herbal prescriber database, see ailments section, click on appropriate ailments.Christopher Hobbs is one of the world-top phytotherapy authorities, formulates for herbal/vitamin co's across the globe and is a consultant to the health industry world-wide. Talk about a walking encyclopedia (I have studied with him) plus he has 35+ years of practicing experience himself. No slouch whatsoever! Check him out.
SEe also www.healthy.net do a subject search. Only the top MDs/naturopaths/herbalists/acupuncturists post here, this is highly trustworthy information.
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"Several interesting reports describe the salutary effects of the herb ashwagandha, whose Latin name is withania somnifera. An aqueous (water) extract of the plant root had a stimulatory effect on both T-3 and T-4 thyroid hormone levels in laboratory animals. In fact, the increase in T-4 was quite dramatic. This product is now therapeutically available, an dit does show promise. The main additional herb we recommend is milk thistle (silymarin) 300 milligrams daily, as an excellent additional antioxidant". Read more in the book Thyroid Power www.thyroidpower.com
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posted
At a Christmas dinner I sat next to a doctor. When other people commented that I seemed to be doing much better, I said that I was and that the long months of Bicillin shots had made a big difference. I also pointed out that I had switched to natural thyroid, had better thyroid tests and that had helped, too.
The doctor asked me, "Do you really know why you feel better?" I said "Sure. I am finally getting the right meds. My test numbers show that." He said that I felt better because my adrenal function was improving.
So I got curious and got the book "Adrenal Fatigue" by James Wilson from the library. It really does have a lot of good info in it, if I could only remember and understand it. We will buy the book and my family will help me figure it out. I wonder why I have not have my cortisol levels checked. Or maybe I did and do not remember.
I do know that ever since my thyroid was removed in 1993 I was told that I could not tolerate higher doses of thyroid because of my rapid heart rate. My current LLMD said that some people just naturally have a faster rate, so he ramped up the thyroid and it seems to be working. I am losing weight, too. I had always been underweight until my thyroid was removed.
Now if I can just tolerate the Flagyl I will be doing very well indeed. I have cut down my dose by half and we'll see if I can stand it. Anyone who has suggestions is welcome to PM me! I am exhausted, dizzy, trembling, nervous and achy...must be herxing big time. I am not going to add the Ketek until I feel better, that's for sure!
One thing that does help is a little Gatorade now and then to get the electrolytes balanced. I usually just drink herbal tea, no caffeine. I also had good results with Fioricet for the headaches. My son dragged me back to see the acupuncturist and in one treatment I felt much better and even got my speech working better.
I would add a caution, however. This particular acupuncturist has been working here for more than 20 years. My very esteemed pain doctor referred me (and my son) to him because she said he is truly outstanding. The first time I heard the word "lyme disease" was from him! He said he treats quite a few lyme patients. So if you do want to try acupuncture, do your homework and find a very good acupuncturist.
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
farrady- Could you mention who the acupuncturist is. If he is not an LLMD I believe it is OK to do so here
Posts: 357 | From California | Registered: Jun 2010
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chiquita incognita
Unregistered
posted
Hi Lymers I am so glad if this could be of help! My best wishes to you and a rapid recovery. PS Dr Shames writes that low thyroid exacerbates illness, and that when the thyroid comes back up, other illnesses begin to improve. What this other doc said about adrenals makes a ton of sense too. The adrenals have a lot to do with immunity and the anti-inflammatory process. What you are writing about is extremely common (adrenal fatigue, low thyroid) and there is *lots!* of hope, with the right medical guidance.
If you are interested, here is where you can find a naturopathic doctor in your area: www.naturopathic.org
I don't know if that interests you but if yes, then there it is.
Also Dr Shames will consult with physicians if you are interested. But he is not cheap, though ohhh soooo worth it. For anybody who is interested, that is an option (I do not work for him and he does not know me personally. I did see him more than 20 years ago, but I am sure he would not remember me).
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I have a dear friend who is an outstanding naturopath and I worked for many years with that philosophy. I still follow many of the guidelines, but I have to say that I do need the antibiotics.
Even my acupuncturist, a very elderly and seasoned doctor, told me that I needed them. He then told me that he could help mitigate the side effects from them. In fact, he is the first one to tell me to get tested for lyme disease!
But battling inflamation is a big deal that we all need to address. That means careful diet, supplements, lifestyle changes, etc. This is not a disease that you take a pill for and then go dancing!!!
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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MariaA
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posted
quote:Originally posted by farraday: Now if I can just tolerate the Flagyl I will be doing very well indeed. I have cut down my dose by half and we'll see if I can stand it. Anyone who has suggestions is welcome to PM me!
If you can manage to get Tindamax instead of Flagyl, it might be easier to tolerate. It's about $500/month in the US, though- I was ordering it from an overseas pharmacy for less:
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