It is important to know your adrenal function in order to treat it. The best way to test it is with saliva, taken at different times of the day. Canaryclub.org or diagnostechslabs do this with a home test you mail back to them. I did a test with canary that was only saliva for $144.00. I believe that was with a discount, which is easily available. If you need help with this you can go to stopthethyroidmadness.com or realthyroidhelp.com If the adrenal function is very weak then isocort is usually not strong enough to help. Dr. Wilson's book on Adrenal Fatigue is excellent, but his remedies are also not strong enough if one's function is at a certain level. His stuff may work if one doesn't have to work and can rest all day and live without stress. I needed to take hydrocortisone or medrol to be able to work and function. HC generally has less side effects but it can be tricky to dose because it only lasts 3-4 hours in the body. It is usually taken first thing in the morning and then in the afternoon, 2 0r 3 times a day. Some people take small doses many times a day, but my doctor believes the brain does not recognize a dose less than 5mg. I switched to medrol because it can be more effective and easier to dose, as it lasts almost 24 hours in the body. Side effects for me were rashes, and I am now lowering the dose as my energy improves. It is best to take it short term and to work on improving your health to wean off it. It is important to have a good doctor who understands adrenal function, along with thyroid and other hormonal issues. This type of doctor is rare, and most endocrinologists don't fit the bill. To accurately test one's adrenals you have to be off isocort or any other meds/supplements for at least two weeks or the tests won't be valid.

Deven, I'm so sorry to hear you have had a set back. ; (

Can you pin point it to some stress or some event?

I hope you figure it out and get feeling back real good again fast!

Thank both you for these posts.

I have had the salvia test done.

CORTISOL LEVELS 4/17/08

MORNING 12.8 5.1-40.2
NOON 1.9 2.1-15.7
EVENING 1.4 1.8-12.1
NIGHT 1.4 0.9-9.2

DHEA 17.5 106-300

Do you think my levels are low enough that Dr. Wilson's products won't help me much. I'm sure his products help to some extent, but will they help enough to bring me around?



I saw a Functional Medicine Dr. yesterday, and he said I have been here too long, and needed to take the HC. I have 2 fears: (and they feel big to me)

1) I will have side effects with it, and also have trouble coming off of it, and "forever ruin my adrenal glands" like when I trusted a dr with my thyroid and it was a HUGE mistake, and what got me to this level of stress. Life has never been the same since then.

2) Weight gain. I have already gained 25 pounds due to the drugs they me take when they yanked out my thyroid when it was very high and went very low and I thought I would sufficate.

It seems from my research, that AF is a "symptom" of something not right. It seems that we need to test and treat ourselves for parasites, heavy metals, etc. first and that until we do that, we will just have the same problem. I am afraid to do anything iwth my adrenals until I am providing them with a healthy environment.

Also, eliminate stress. This is a big one for me. I came into this world stressed. Then abusive childhood, learned to hate myself, then on to drugs alcohol to run from myself, then onto therapy to learn to love myself, and the beat goes on! So now I am learning at a deeper level to manage my stress. I have so much work to do, but I am willing and ready to take it on.

I had a big emotional breakdown this morning, feel totally confused on which route to take..... so much to sort out, so many drs saying this, saying that... just don't know which way to turn, what route to take. My belief in a god is limited, because the one I grew up hated me and wanted me begging on my face for mercy. I can't go there. But today, Wednesday 7/23 things are going to change. I asked the Source that is greater than me to HELP me, send me guidance, support, direction. I will listen and learn and proceed.

So my ears are open if anyone has any sensible and "experienced" ideas for me. I'm broke, living on a credit card for my medical.... but I will get what I feel is right. I am going to beat this, going to get healthy in this life.

Thanks again for any and all your help!

Isocort is not the same as hydrocortisone(HC). Isocort is probably the stronges adrenal support "supplement" you can use, but it is much weaker than HC, so it wouldn't help me. Your cortisol beings so high at night, while very low othertimes is different than mine was. You still need to educate yourself as to what it all means. At canarylabs they gave me a good explanation and even a diagram, with the cortisol from saliva results. Again, Phil at
http://www.realthyroidhelp.com
can help you at the men's forum.
Vernal