Adrenal Fatigue/Hypothyroid-- So lost :(

[sheenahales]

Hello There,
I have been having alot of issues finding a family doctor that actually understands thyroid and adrenal issues and how they affect one another.

I saw a endocrinologist who diagnosed me with hypoithyroid and was given synthroid. BAD NEWS!! I reacted horribly and swore off thyroid meds. I was getting frustrated from being in the gym and dieting and losing no weight that my trainer suggested it was because of my hypothyrodism so I saw a naturopath and she Saliva tested me and found that I have Stage 2 adrenal fatigue. So the stage right before adrenal exhaustion. I was taking an adrenal formula (with glandular adrenals and vitamins) and another adrenal support with different vitamins and supplements. I used to get my thyroid medication compounded. A combination between t3 and t4. It was pretty much like armour or ERFA.

All was going okay i guess, never noticed a change either way really. The brain fog and always tired was getting better as I was on a candida diet (no gluten, dairy, yeast, sugar). I have since added back in sugar and yeast but never eat dairy or gluten unless it is on accident. I have since moved to Ontario and have no family doctor and no one that really understands my issues. I have started on ERFA thyroid and no longer take my adrenal formulas as I cannot find the same brands out here in Ontario.

I was taking 90mg of ERFA thyroid. I was given cytomel prescription because the walk-in doctor that tried to switch my prescription from compounded to ERFA didnt think that there was any t3 in the ERFA so he gave me that prescription. I know that ERFA is a combination of t3 and t4 so I didnt take the cytomel.

Everything was going okay i guess, brain fog was still there, still exhausted all the time, still exhibited all the traits of adrenal fatigue.

One day I took my thyroid medication in a rush and realized that I took 37.5 of CYTOMEL instead of my ERFA!! I phoned poison control, they said everything was Okay and me with having anxiety was on edge all day. I was due to get my thyroid checked because since switcihng to ERFA the walkin clinic I went to wanted to check in on how I was doing. So 3 days after this accidental cytomel incident I got my labs done.

My numbers were
TSH           -    Less than .01      (normal 0.35 - 5.00)
FREE T4    -     20                (normal 12-22)
FREE T3    -      8.6       (normal 2.6-5.7)

So they told me thats way out of range and that taking the cytomel that one time wouldnt do anything because of the half life. So I started taking just 60mg of ERFA.
About a month later my numbers were

TSH -   Less that .03      (0.30-5.60)
FREE T4 -   13.6             (7.2-21.0)
FREE T3 -    5.0               (2.9-6.0)


So yes my numbers arent as out of whack but I feel like CRAP!! Im so exhausted in the afternoon-evenings that I feel spacey and like Im in a dream, cant concentrate, cant see properly even walking seems like a chore. BUT my mind is racing, constant thoughts, OCD thoughts, unable to sleep properly because my mind is racing and I will wake up in the middle of the night and not know where I am or who I am, my brain is a constant chatter and i feel speedy, like Im on speed but Im so exhuasted. So weird so I thought that maybe my thyroid meds were still too high. I have since cut the 60mg in have to 30mg. I have done that the past 3 days. No change really.

So I guess Im just confused as to what to do. I feel great in the mornings and then by about 4pm I am so sluggish and start to feel like Im in a spaced out dream.

Any insight, I feel like its a combination between my adrenals and my thyroid but I dont even know where to begin.
I also always have a low WBC count and have been tested twice and have a high rheumitoid factor. I am 25 years old..
Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

[laura1967]

May I suggest some simple ways to boost your adrenals?  Vit C, B-Complex (A good one!) A couple times per day, and find yourself a good adaptogen in a health food store. Ask a clerk to show you adrenal supports. Try to stay away from caffeine until you can build your adrenals up. I also do B12 shots myself, and I get it from a Canandian pharmacy.
As the gals above said, it is very important to split your daily dosage in half and take first half in the am, and the other half about 5-6 hours later. That should greatly help with the late after/evening slump and fog.

[Barb135]

Cytomel raises T3 levels, but it should not cause your FT4 to raise.  The 1/2 life of cytomel is approx 2 days.  

Persons suffering from adrenal issues should treat those, first, then concentrate on thyroid issues.  

Many people on medication containing T3, split their dosage into 2-3/day.  You can try splitting it in 1/2 and take 1/2 in the morning, and the other 1/2 in the afternoon; or split it into 1/3's and take 1/3 in the morning, 1/3 at noon, and 1/3 mid afternoon, but not after about 3:00 or it could cause sleep issues.

Your labs look really good on the 60 mg, so I'd have to wonder if your biggest issue is the adrenals.  You need to find a good doctor who will treat you for both the adrenal issue and the thyroid.

[Ladyrumrunner]

Try taking half of the thyroid pin in morning 6am then the other half of your dose at 12-1pm and see how that works with the afternoon slump