Thyroid and Adrenal glands??

Question

Hi everyone. I have been on synthroid for about ten years(I am 35f) or so for hypothyroidism and I have not felt good for a while now. I was reading some of your posts about adrenal gland connections and decided to take the temperature test. My temperature is so all over the place, it is crazy. I will take it in the morning and it will be 96! Then I will take it three hours later like they recommend and it is 97.4, then later in the day it might go up over 99. I am not sure what that means. If you average them out for the day I am still on the low side, but I just wonder why it is fluctuating SO much. Does anyone have any experience with this? Also I did the flashlight test and my pupil definitely did not stay small but mostly just twitched. Also did the blood pressure test and my blood pressure did not drop when I stood. That is the most reliable home test right?
So...Should I go try to get my adrenal gland checked. From what I read there are no definitve tests for it. Any advice please help! I just want to feel normal!

underinformed35 · Answer

Well I just got back from seeing my GP. He did another blood test for my thyroid and said he would refer me to an Endo for the rest. My thyroid TSH was 2.2 last time I got it checked. Is that a good number? Also when they checked my temp it was 98.9. I checked it this morning and it was 97. I just don't understand why it is changing so much. I didn't even ask him about that. I did ask him about doing an antibody test and he said that it really wouldn't make much difference now. I am not sure what that means. He said he did not think my thyroid was the cause of my low blood pressure or heart rate. So I don't know...maybe I can get more help from the Endo. It is all so frustrating!!

underinformed35 · Answer

I have an appt with my GP on Monday. Can he do all these tests? Should I get my antibodies tested also since I have never done that? I am really having some major problems and need to get to someone who can help. The doctors say that cortisol treatment is not mainstream so even if this is the problem, will a doctor give me medication for it? I just need some relief.
Thank you so much for all your help. I feel like I don't know where to turn at this point.

helen1207 · Answer

I suggest you go to your doctor and request the below test:
1. 24 hour urine 
2. 8am cortisol level 

my docotor also suspect my Adrenal glands, in addition to hashimoto's. i am still waiting for 24h urine result. 

go to you doctor to get a test, that's the best way.

cjones84 · Answer

That is like still being hypo with a pulse rate below 60 and in the 40s just sounds dangerous. I think your cardiologist is right because you don't seem to be utilising the thyroid hormones and cortisol deficiency could be the underlying cause for this. You need adrenals working right for the conversion and cellular uptake of thyroid hormones. The saliva will identify the problem with 4x cortisol readings and a short Synacthen test should identify if it is a primary or secondary cause of the pituitary not sending enough ACTH. Get dhea tested in blood also

underinformed35 · Answer

You asked if I check my pulse rate when I wake up, well my pulse rate has been very low at night and first thing in the morning, even in the forties quite a bit. Does that have anything to do with your adrenal glands? I have been having palpitations during the day and am seeing a cardiologist who suggested that maybe I should have my adrenal glands checked. Do you think that is causing the heart issues as well?

kitty9309 · Answer

I will be having an ACTH Stimulation Test for adrenal function.

cjones84 · Answer

http://www.canaryclub.org/content/view/196/52 - Order the 24 hour saliva here by Diagnos Techs. They do the adrenal thyroid and insulin panel all included

A basal body temperature below 97.8 F (36.6(C) indicates slow metabolic rate and it fluctuating through the day suggests adrenal problems along with dilating pupils it is clinically present. The flashlight test shows the imbalance of sodium and potassium in your body that is why the pupil won't stay constricted and fluctuates. The blood pressure test and pulse pressure can give confusing results for many people because of the other adrenal hormones like aldosterone that are involved and doesn't always drop. 

Have you checked your basal resting pulse upon awakening with temperature also? I would imagine this to be low. It looks like you are not converting and using the thyroxine properly at the cellular level because of poor adrenal function

http://featherstone.bravehost.com/thyroid/peatfieldadrenal.html - Read this essential information on how to address this problem and discuss it with your doctor

ifupleze · Answer

Adrenal fatigue has the same symptoms as low thyroid.  They can test your blood for DHEA and cortisol levels.  They can also do a saliva test and urine test for the adrenals.  Most MDs will only do blood tests. Naturopaths will do the others.  It would be worth it to have them checked.