Is a cortisol level of 4 at 7 am low? That's what I have. The last two times they checked it it was 5.3. Thanks!
cchb -- I am in no way an expert, I just have adrenal insufficiency. Bloodwork originally showe <1 cortisol. Took awhile, but finally got my meds straight. I was having tremendous problems with not going into a coma, my memory wasn't working at all, life became a dream without cortisol. I worked very hard all my life, too hard, and slowly I got to where I didn't want to do anything, and it was because my "get-up-and-go" endocrine wasn't available anymore. I will have to take hydro for the rest of my life.
Now, unless I got up and checked what doses I take, I couldn't tell you, but I take two pills in the morning and one mid-afternoon, which is when I eat my main meal. I used to take it in the evening, as prescribed, but it goofed up my sleeping patterns. You may need to ask your doc if you need more of the drug, or if you need to take it in three doses, or just whatever fix will work.
I happen to have other disabling conditions from a near-fatal car wreck years ago, fractured my back in three places, two months in hospital, and as I aged, the pain became worse and worse, then the adrenal problem came outta nowhere, so I take a few other medicines to control my various back problems and the emotional toll the accident itself took on me. Some of those had to be increased, because the hydro diminished their effectiveness. So, could also be either you or your doc will be able to figure out if any of your other meds need adjusting.
But from what I've read, if your thyroid isn't working right, it will affect the way your adrenals work. But like you, my thyroid works within normal limits. I am assuming the cyst there isn't causing trouble? That should be watched carefully. You should see an endocrinologist, if you aren't already, they can figure stuff out for you.
One more tip and I'll quit. Whatever you do, do NOT go off the hydrocodone all of a sudden, or you will pay a very high price and it also could kill you. You have to go off unbelievably slowly, visit your doc frequently during that time, or you will lose your mind, your memory, and if you are living alone, your life.
Keep us posted on how you're doing and how things go with your mystery illness situation! Gail
Hi cchb,
How has your energy been since you wrote your post a couple of weeks ago? How do you feel around 3pm?
By any chance have you gotten an opinion from a Functional Medicine practitioner?
Inspired