Tyrpoid and adrenal gland connection?

[layla]

Does anyone here having thyroid problem also have adrenal gland problems? Do yo know if there is a connection? Do you know if thyroid meds affect adrenal gland function? I have been from hyper to hypo then hyper and now most likely hypo again. My new endo doc took some test and said there is reason to test further for adrenal gland test ACTH and or cortosyn along with another test or two. I am not well versed on these test. My thyroid meds were lowered and I beleive I am hypo again now but my doc said to wait for the adfrenal gland test before increasing meds and indicated the meds could be a problem. I am concerned because I don't feel so great and would like to increase my meds so the hypo feeling goes away. Any info is appreciated.

[Jimlow]

Dear Layla,
It's seems I have something in common with so many people on this forum. I too felt I had adrenal insufficiency along with my Hashi's/Hypo because I had worsened hypo symptoms after starting my thyroid med. and I had read this can happen if you have low-adrenal and don't treat it before starting thyroid med.. So, I started out by doing home saliva-tests offered by Great Smokey Mountain Diagnostic Labs, Inc., who market these cortisol/DHEA tests under the name "BodyBalance", stress hormone tests. The first one showed low-normal, so I did a second one a few months later and it showed clinically low levels of cortisol (the major stress/adrenal hormone). I took these labs to my Dr. and had me do an ACTH Stimulation test that you mention. I passed the test, so he said it wasn't "Addison's Disease" however, there are secondary forms of adrenal insufficiency that cause low cortisol levels, which he seemed to not know about. Anyway, I also did a 24-hour urinary cortisol test which also came out very low (range for adult males was <119, mine was "10.7"). I truely believe my cortisol levels dropped even further when I started my thyroid med..
I can guarantee your better informed Dr. is testing you because of concern your adrenal insufficiency might be worsened if not treated along with your thyroid, IF IT DOES happen to be low. Some medical sites state that Hashimoto's and adrenal insufficiency often co-exist, due to the autoimmune process. They actually have a name for it "Schmidt's Disease" and if you have several low functioning glands, including pancrease(diabetes) and pernicious anemia, they call it Polyglandular Autoimmune Disease II.
I hope they find your to only be a mild secondary adrenal insufficiency. Your Dr. is wise in checking for this. Most Dr.s don't even though it is even recommended in the Pysicians Desk Reference, that adrenal hormones need checked BEFORE thyroid hormone is administered in a patient. A lot of Dr.s have no idea about these things, which is scarey but sounds like you have a good one!

[layla]

Thanks for your response. This doc does seem good. I saw two before finding her who blew off my thyroid issues and said it's most likely perimenopause. Noooo. My new doc is an endocrinologist specializing in womans heath/studies. My thinking was since woman have more endo problems perhaps a endo doc specializing in woman would be more exposed. I am anxious to get back the labs next week. I've looked up a the adrenal gland diseases and read a little and my symptoms seem to be similar. I have to say I find it all a bit overwhelming and decided to just wait for the results before going crazy researching everything related since there is just too much. Your information is helpful. My doc also took thyroid antibody test. Do you know why that would also be taken?

[Jimlow]

One more thing to keep in mind is that LOW-normal thyroid hormones and HIGH-normal TSH readings are sometimes not really normal especially if you have elevated antibodies.
Example: TSH range 0.5 to 5.0 but if your result is "4.9" it is well worth further observation.
Example: Free T-3 range 2.4 to 4.5 if yours is "2.5" it is worth further observation.
When I was diagnosed hypo, my TSH was "8.3" but all other hormones were in low-normal but later I found out my antibodies were high and was why I had full-blown symptoms. I did also have a low T-3 Uptake but they still called it only "sub-Clinical" hypothyroidism. Hormones can fluctuate during the autoimmune attack.

[layla]

When I was first dx my TSH was 66.8. I felt absolutely terrible.

[Jimlow]

Layla,
The thyroid antibodies test is to see if your hypothyroidism is caused by autoimmune disease (Hashimoto's). Autoimmune disease is where your body produces antibodies against an organ/gland, as if it is an intruder. Normally antibodies attack true invaders such as viruses and germs etc... but for some reason the body recognizes part of itself as an invader. Dr.s don't even know the reason this happens but in the case of the thyroid, it causes tissue destruction that is irreversable, which results in reduced abilty for it to produce adequate hormone levels (hypothyroidism). Don't let this scare you because it is the most common cause of hypo. This is the kind I have. My Anti-Thyroglobulins ABs were "537" (normal range was <35) and my Anti-Thyroperoxidase ABs were "84" (normal being <40), so elevated levels of these are how they determine you have Hashimoto's Disease (name of Dr. who discovered it in 1912).
Another reason they check for thyroid antibodies is because autoimmune diseases many times run together, in fact Hashimoto's and Autoimmune Adrenal Insufficiency Co-Exist often. The Dr. probably wants to see if you could possibly have
"Schmidt's" (Hypothyroid & Addison's combined) or a polyglandular disease of another kind. I hope you don't but there are treatments for it that keep people running normal by replacing any needed hormones that are low. For low thyroid, they give you thyroid hormone replacement and for low adrenal they usually give you hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone but sometimes only the hydrocortisone if your cortisol is the only one that's low.
I hope I didn't go over too much or sound like a know-it-all but Dr.s can't give a lot of info. in short office visits so I hope this was helpful.

[Jimlow]

Aslo to add: I would be interested in knowing your test results but don't feel obligated.
Interesting note: I had my first gandbaby born on July 15th, I'm a 42 year old Grandad now. Her name, "Layla".

[layla]

Congrats on being a new "grandad"! My kids are 24 and 25 so I may be joining you soon. I know one would just love nothing better than to start a family now.  The other will wait as she is in grad school, at least I hope she will wait. haha  You are so young (I am 46) so you'll get to do so much with your grandchild.
Thanks so much for the information. I don't see it as know it all in any way. It is really very helpful. My life is incredibly busy right now and I am finding it difficult to learn all of this AND if I can find info here that is just great. I am glad to know more about the antibodies because it has been mentioned a couple times and I did not obviously pay enough attention. I was more focused on the other things the doc was talking about. I should just record what they say. I think I miss half of it. Luckily my docs have been generous with their time but remebering all of it is hard especially with the memory I have right now! I will certainly share my labs as sharing knowledge is helpful and I am sure I will have questions unless everything comes back normal.

[Jimlow]

Layla,
You and ShannieK should get together on the adrenal issue because she too is have a problem in this area and is having tests run. She may be able to relate some info. after tests etc...
That TSH reading you had was HIGH! Most Dr.s say anything above a "10" is an absolute diagnoses of hypo.