Starting HC....fingers crossed

[Sunshine_67]

Since my cortisol levels have been very low in the morning for months and all the herbal adaptogens aren't working, my doc is going to start me on a low dose of HC. Since I'm allergic to all the fillers, it has to be compounded. I know some people have had bad experiences with HC, but I really hope this helps. If I can get my adrenals back in to shape, maybe my thyroid will follow.

I also found out I've been taking my sex hormone supplements at the wrong time of day. I've been taking it all at night (a mix of estrogen, testosterone, progesterone and dhea). My doc said I'm only supposed to take progesterone at night and the others in the morning. So maybe that's been a problem too. My recent hormone labs showed my estrogen and testosterone were still extremely low (not even in range).

[Sunshine_67]

The pharmacist said to at least wait an hour. Since my cortisol is the lowest when I wake up, it would defeat the purpose to wait too long into the morning, especially when I have to take it again at noon. How long does it take to notice a difference on HC?

[Barb135]

With the sex hormones being in cream form, there probably would not be a conflict with thyroid medication.  That would only leave the the HC.  You could ask the pharmacist if leaving an hour between the thyroid med and HC would be enough; that way you could get the first dose with your breakfast and the second dose with lunch.

[Sunshine_67]

The sex hormones are a cream so it would probably be inconvenient to do that at work since I have to rotate parts of my body and it takes a while for the cream to sink in and dry. The HC has to be taken with food and I have to take it twice a day and the second dose can't be taken after noon. I wake up at 5am and take my thyroid meds then, and get to work at 7am. The HC has to be taken with food though and I have to eat an hour after I take my thyroid meds or my blood sugar starts to drop. I'm picking them up today so I'll ask my pharmacist.

[Barb135]

Good question.... considering that thyroid meds recommend waiting an hour before eating and/or drinking anything else, you can try that and see how it goes.  

Not sure of your schedule, but maybe you could take them to work with you and take them mid morning.  

For instance if you get up at 6:00 am and have to be at work by 8:00, you could take thyroid med at 6:00 am and the other hormones at 8:30 or 9:00; you'd still be getting them in the morning, but you'd have a sufficient separation from your thyroid  med.

Can the sex hormones be taken with food?  That's another consideration. I had a hard time juggling some of these things when I was working, so you might have to do a bit of experimenting to get the timing right.

[Sunshine_67]

How far apart to separate them? My doc said the estrogen and testosterone need to be taken in the morning, so I can't really wait 4 hours after my thyroid meds because then it will be too late in the day. Is an hour enough? The progesterone I'll be taking at night.

[Barb135]

I'm happy to hear that your doctor is trying something else with you.  I hope the HC helps.  I've always read that adrenal issues should be addressed before thyroid, so let's hope this works for you.

Do be sure to separate those sex hormones from your thyroid medication, in order to get optimal absorption of the thyroid med.