Was that a 4x saliva cortisol test?
http://www.canaryclub.org/adrenal-article-980/706-cortisol-1-or-4.html

Did it also include DHEA (-S)? If so, was that also low?

With "extreme fatigue" and low cortisol all day, you'll probably benefit from some medication. That may be hydrocortisone 10mg in the AM, 5mg at noon, plus occasionally a little more at 2PM when you've had a number of really stressful days--a "stress dose."

There is virtually no chance of getting a mainstream insurance doctor to help with that. They'll BS you and tell you all you need is rest rather than do anything. Of course they won't mention OTC supplements! It might cost them and their Big Pharma friends $ on psych or ADD medication and scripts. It happened to a close friend and her life was greatly impacted for 20 years from that dysfunctionality.

Do you consume enough cholesterol containing foods? Do you have adequate stomach acid and digestive enzymes to absorb it? Is cholesterol low or lo-norm on blood tests?

The body makes the grandmother of the adrenal cortex hormones from "bad" cholesterol. That grandmother hormone is pregnenolone as seen here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Steroidogenesis.svg

I think the body need zinc to convert pregnenolone to downstream hormones. Vitamin C and B5 are also important for the adrenal cortex.

In some countries pregnenolone is available OTC in specialty vitamin shops and online. It is quite inexpensive. However it is not likely to fix your problem. If you don't have much chemical sensitivity, it should take the edge off. You might start with 10mg in AM and Noon and increase to 20mg x2 if well tolerated. You might benefit from higher doses after followup tests.

Progesterone cream is OTC in some places but again that won't be a fix all. A friend who was not in as bad a position as you took both--50mg or more of preg and some OTC progesterone cream.

She also took adrenal cortex glandular. You might want to take a capsule with each meal to help your adrenals. If anxiety is involved, I'd stick with cortex glandular. If not, maybe whole adrenal will be okay. The latter will include support for making adrenaline.

I assume you'll also benefit from some DHEA supplementation. (DHEA is not abbreviated in the above diagram). However, as usual with these hormones, starting with low doses seems to be the best way to determine if you will tolerate them. Some people don't convert them well. We see that frequently in the heavy metal detox support groups. So many of those folks suffer from fatigue, weak immune system, messed up sex hormones, yeast infections, poor regulation of electrolytes, strange monthly cycle--with mood swings, etc that can be due at least in part to adrenal weakness.

My friend and I worked with Functional Med doctors and we did followup testing. Hormones are powerful. Getting needed support can be absolutely wonderful. However abuse of them can be quite problematic.

Positive effects from taking hormones can be experienced within days but you can bet it will take weeks to months to tweak doses and get everything balanced. Some people may need to tweak thyroid hormone during the process too. It is worth the effort and patience while working with the doc.

Hi,

Adrenal Fatigue is very serious. The only way to get better is through Dr.Lawrence Wilson's Nutritional Balancing program.After wasting many years on different programs I finally found his program which is based on real science. Everyone is different but to completely and properly heal your body is usually a minimum of 3 years. I've been on NB for 10 months now and am still exhausted. As you do the program, you get even more tired because the fatigue is a symptom that your body is healing. I strongly suggest you become acquainted with his program if you want true healing. He has a very specific and strict food regimen to follow along with other protocols such as infrared sauna. Most illness regardless of the diagnosis is for 2 reasons: metal toxicity and mineral imbalance (which is tested through Hair Analysis) and which are corrected through Dr. Wilson's diet, specific mineral supplements (depending on the results of the hair analysis)infrared sauna and coffee enemas (yes coffee enemas sound terrible but they are the only way to stimulate and heal a sick liver which is at the root of most illnesses).
Wish you all the best.

Hi.
When a recipe or protocol is right for you, improvements start in about 3-4 months. Low cortisol during the day means that you are at stage 3 of AF sub-stage below b, somewhere between b and c according to Dr. Lam classification. I used high dose of various vitamins C: water soluble, fat soluble, and liposomal and also vitamin b complex.

Drink salted water to replenish electrolytes.

Amino acids, especially l-glutamine - gave me energy and lifted brain fog.

Did you do indican test? It shows the gut flora (google it). Usually, at advanced stage of AF there are also digestive issues (low B12 vit, leaky gut).

coffee enemas may be somewhat effective, though i would recommend castor oil cleansing. check post under my name ( and google it too). It will clean your intestines, all kind. eliminates SIBO, yeast overgrowth, sooth inflammation etc. When mixed with sour juice, lemon or grapefruit, it also works as cholagogue. The liver expels bile.

For me it was one of major turning points in AF recovery.

Also, at this advanced stage of AF, it may be helpful to find a good naturopathic doctor. It is difficult. I worked with Dr. Lam. Now, his prices are sky high.

Klauss.