high cortisol by saliva testing

[sick and tired 47]

Hi All!
I have had high cortisol levels ( done by saliva testing). I had all the routine tests at endo.. all normal but subclinical low thyroidism and high DHEA levels.
  ?? I am starting treatment for my high cortisol levels, rhodiola capsules, reconmmended by nutritionist/ holistic MD. Anyone have good results with this??
My symptoms are  some anxiety, stressed out, insomnia., jumpy at all loud noises..My test show  levels stay up all day and all night!!!

[Paxiled]

And by the way, if you want to know all this stuff, just manage health food stores for 18 years, read all the trade magazines, work 12 hours a day, get paid zilch, and watch Whole Foods come in and put everyone else out of business!  Talk about the school of hard knocks.

[Paxiled]

I'm not sure about the adaptogens at night -- they help the body deal with stress, but also give the body energy.  They're better taken, as most herbs are, three times a day, but not before bed.  I don't know about the sleep.  Melatonin might be the best thing, but that only works if it's your body clock that's off.  For anxiety, kava's still the best thing, but some people have been scared away from it.  Passionflower, the herb not the flower remedy, is a good relaxant and when combined with valerian and hops might make yoiu drowsy.  Or not.  Man, the last five years I was on Paxil I couldn't sleep at night at all, but could in the afternoon.  That's why I quit.  Which killed me; until I went on Lexapro, I didn't sleep for a year.  Now, the only thing that helps me is Calm's Forte, a homeopathic sleep remedy from Hylands, and Quietude, a homeopathic sleep remedy from Boiron.  And be careful with flower remedies -- they can bring up old issues before they heal them.  Make sure you take care with them -- too powerful for me right now.

[goodlordyIjusturned40]

Hi To all ~
WOW did these posts hit home. The addrenaline surges (mine are all day - like someone cutting me off in traffic or like some one just jumped out and scared me feeling) and at night restless and anxious.

I too had an elevated 8:00am Cortisol test and elevated ACTH. The endo ordered the dexamethasone supression test and the 24hr urines x 2. I think she is looking more in the "Cushings" direction, although she says I do not have cushing-oid features.

In November I did the breast cancer 3-day 60 mile walk, felt amazing and weighed 166 - then in December I felt like my world crashed, and thats when all of the anxiety -depression started. I thought perhaps I just had major adrenal fatigue from traing so hard for the many months, but it hasn't stopped.

I now weigh 192 (and climbing) which is why she is probably thinking more cushings. Although she did - in a very condescending patronizing way say, calories in - calories out and it is probably stress and axiety.

Anyway I guess we'll see. I will let you guys all know what the tests say and what the next step is, if they are still elevated.

I do feel a little more normal after reading your posts, but if anyone has a comment or suggestion I LOVE to hear more.

Did any of you Elevated Cortisol posters have the weight gain too????

How did - do - are you battling it?

I may try the herbs suggested, but I am so NEUROTIC that I am afraid to try the meds to help me.... I take it and then wait for all of the "side effects" (not condusive to getting better)  :  )

The Pdoc RX'd "Wellbutrin" 2 weeks ago with Xanax prn. (Lexapro did not work) - so we'll see if that works.

Afraid to take the xanax - so I have only taken 1/2 a few times.

Do you guys take that?? Does it help?? Is it okay to take during the day?? Will it help with the Cortisol.

I agree that Paxiled seems to have a wealth of info - and Sassie your posts really help me too!!

All of you help. Thank you for your courage and bravery to post and share. It really helps.

Peace Love and Hope to all

[laura1967]

So the both of you should try a adrenal adaptogen in the evenings. It may do the trick to help you sleep.

I believe the STIM test is looking for Addison's (Low adrenal function) where as the Dexamethasone supression test looks for Cushings ( over active).

[sick and tired 47]

hi sassy,
Mine too was very high at night. Normal in am, low in afternoon. High at night makes it difficult to sleep , all those "racing ideas, thoughts." Good luck !!

[SassyLassie]

It was only high at night, and then very close to "normal' maybe one number off, the rest of the test was completely normal.

I will check out the Holy Basil, I have not heard of it before. Sounds good.

[sick and tired 47]

Is the test you mentioned similar to a STIM test? I had am blood test, then a injection of ?, then blood tests 20 minutes later , then 2 hours later another level drawn. Results were normal.

[laura1967]

sassylassie.....your adrenals can cause a lot of panic and anxiety. I prefer an adaptogen with a few diff things combined. I can't take rhodiola either. I do like Holy Basil....there are many benefits to it. Was your high cortisol at every test time? If so, then you need further testing with an endocrinologist. Dexamethasone is a hormone that regulates and supresses cortisol levels. It is used to check for Cushings disease called a dexamethasone supression test....they give one pill dosage the night before, and draw blood in morning to see if levels are supressed.

[sick and tired 47]

Also, passion flower extract by Bach in tincture helps when you get an panic attack. Just a drop or tw0 under tongue works wonders.They even sell lozengers ( never tried).
I am sure paxiled and bionicman have ideas too, they are a wealth of info. Thanks guys!!

[sick and tired 47]

bender62,
Do you know they use sleep deprivation as a form of torture??? I am with you...tried lots of things and non work really well yet. I am presently reading Susanne Somers book, Ageless. Wow, her symptoms are exactly like mine/yours!!! She solved it by bioidentical hormones, nutritional support, ect.. Read the book. I only wish I had her money/professional help to get me there too. There is a product called Cortisol Manager. It has helped me sleep sometimes, definitely helps stress levels. Look it up on line because I am not sure I can mentiin the company here.
An update, on another site I wrote I can not take Rhodiola... way to energizing as Paxiled says.... wow, got my house really clean but felt like I was on speed, did not sleep!!e
SassyLassie,
I am with you too. I get these "surges" of anxiety. I saw  naturopath/nutrtitionist last week. I am praying she can help me... I was referred on from my last place. To difficult of a case, yep , thats me.  This lady says the surges are shots of my cortisol spiking??? And that is why I can not sleep at night ( high cortisol levels at night confirmed by saliva testing). She seems very intelligent, but an odd sort, Also said hormones, thyroid are all interwined and all need to balanced to feel good. She feels I may have a gaba problem from all the hormone issues. I am not sure how she decides this ( she uses muscle testing , saliva, and blood too). She says this affects our serotonin too....
I took the Holy Basil and it did seem to help me stay more on keel.. just watch your blood sugar. Had to take it with alot of food or I felt wierd.
  Of course as a nutritionist she is huge fan of balanced, good diet.
I will post what happens next visit ( thursday). If she doesn't have ideas for some good sleep, well I am moving on to someone who can, even if it means a tranquilizer gun!!!
   Hang in there girls, we will swap stories and we will ALL get better together!!!
And all advice welcomed!!
But go read that book, Ageless,

[SassyLassie]

I have high cortisol according that saliva test, but, there is no way I can take the Rhodiola, wow, it wired me so much, no way can I take it.

Paxiled, I will look into those herbs you mentioned, SOMETHING just has to stop me from having these horrid panic attacks, they stink. Talk about wired, man, one minute I am depressed, then the next, I am so nervous I can't stand myself.

Laura, the last few months of my dogs life, the vet had her on  dexamethasone, what is this exactly? If she did not take the pill she would not eat, but wow, was she ever anxious and walked around panting and coughing, poor thing, I still feel sorry for her and I am happy she is no longer in pain.

[Paxiled]

Be careful with rhodiola, it can be very stimulating.  I would recommend holy basil for the high cortisol, and for adaptogens, I'd go with American ginseng and eleuthero and ashwaghanda.  Rhodiola is a great herb, but if you suffer from high cortisol, as I say, it's quite energizing.

[bender62]

when I read your comments, I felt like I wrote them!!! This is what I've been going through for so long...I had a hysterectomy 1 year ago, and doc...thinks my 1 ovary may be shutting down..not sure because of all other factors...stress etc...I am perimenopause for sure and all I wish for is a good night sleep so I can function in the day without sensitivities to everything!!  I'm going to try laura1967 suggestions too....I am so fed up...its hard to keep positive without the proper balance of sleep...

[sick and tired 47]

Thanks so much for the info.
I just started rhodiola... we shall see if it helps. The levels were found by nutritionist/ homeopathic dr on salliva tests.  
I am seeing endo.. she did STIM tests, urine tests,ect... all showed normal blood cortisol levels. I am taking progesterone and the compound pharmacist/endo/ homeopathic Md want me to stop it. They are thinking it may be converting into DHEA and possibly cortisol.. wierd... but that said there are a few case studies  where it has happened. I was taking low dose of progesterone to balance high estrogen ( I am perimenopausal)
And yes, I  have had some health issues , and been under stress.. although I try to take it in stride,. I do accupunture, biofeedback, try to destress with walks,massages, eat healthy,  take magneisum citrate at night.ect...
Anyway thanks so much for the response.. I am very apprehensive about taking supplements.. I seem to be very sensitive to many things lately. It is nice to hear someone else endorse this  supplement ..... most people have low cortisol level
  Any other info is greatly appreciated..Thanks again.

[laura1967]

I would highly suggest you finding a good adrenal adaptogen. An adaptogen will lower or increase levels as needed. It supports the glands to normalize themselves.
Rhodiola is a great supplement for many things...but you need more with high cortisol levels.
Did the endo do blood labs for cortisol?? Did he do a dexamethasone suppress test? These tests will show if you need further testing to see if you have cortisol producing tumors in your body.
High dhea levels are also do to overactive adrenals.
Are you under a lot of stress?? Major illness?
You could probably use a good dose of magnesium at bedtime. I use a product called Calm.....you can find it in healthfood stores. It is a powder you mix with warm water and drink. Very tastey and it works so well!   :)