Hypothyroidism is closely tied to Adrenal Fatique, and the symptoms overlap, so I found I needed to treat both conditions to reach an optimal health level. My one regret is that it took me 2 years to get there, so I really wish I had been more proactive.
From what I read on Stop the Thyroid Madness, its best to treat Adrenals first to strengthen the body so it can handle the Thyroid medication. Here is a summary for treating Hypothyroidism and Adrenals, but please research and talk with your doctor about what might work for you.
Thyroid Treatment
According to Stop the Thyroid Madness the commonly prescribed “T4-only” Synthetic Thyroid Medicines Don’t Work. And further explain why many patients, like myself, have returned to the medication that successfully used from the late 1800’s onward: natural desiccated thyroid hormones, more commonly known as Naturethroid, Erfa’s Canadian “thyroid”.
I use Naturethroid because of the good feedback from other patients. It took time and experimentation to find the right Thyroid medicine dose for me (I hear this is common) but I started slow. Here is what I do:
• 2.5 pills of Naturethroid a day
• One pill in the morning, another at mid-day, and a half pill before dinner.
• This part is critical: I let the pill dissolve under my tongue because it gets into blood stream faster. (Swallowing the pill means I have to avoid eating eating for hours, which is just a pain in the neck.)
Adrenal Fatigue
My adrenal fatigue symptoms included:
• Difficulty falling asleep at night
• Waking frequently during the night
• Difficulty waking in the morning, not feeling refreshed
• Bright lights bothered me more than others
• Startled easily due to noise
• Dizzy/lightheaded when standing from sitting or from lying down
• Took things things too seriously, stressed, anxious
• Difficulty copying with certain people or events
• Stress related nausea, panic attacks and shaking
• Extreme Fatique
• Taking days to recover from even minor stress
This was all due to low cortisol, which I have treated through Hydrocortisone/Cortef (a low dose steroid). I take 25 mg/day, and stress dose as needed. if you would like more resources please email me, or visit Stop the Thyroid Madness to read about:
Read my full story about Hypothyroidism
9 comments
Join the conversationJ. G. Oliver - April 12, 2010
Two doctors declared my adrenals "non-functioning" this year. I don’t have insurance, so I couldn’t afford to follow up with either. I found an affordable doctor two hours away that is treating my hypothyroid, but he doesn’t believe in treating adrenal failure at the same time which seems to counter what I’ve read.. I’ve tried to read the adrenal fatigue book and Janie’s STTM site, but I’m so unfocused, exhausted and my cognition is not what it once was, so I can’t seem to put it all together. I bought some HC but I’m uncertain about self medicating with it. Do you know if there’s any nasty side effects associated with it? I might just go ahead and give it a try out of desperation!
Lizzy - April 12, 2010
Hi JG,Sorry to hear about your troubles getting treatment! I just added some info to this page which is specific to Adrenal Fatique and might be helpful.https://www.misslizzy.me/adrenal-fatigue/The Hydrocortisone I take is in pill form and by prescription. I am unsure about using the creme. I am about to post a Doctor Directory which might help you find a better doctor who will help you. If you want to email me and tell me your location I can send some suggestions.~ Lizzy
Lizzy - April 12, 2010
Hi JG, I found some info on HC creme I will send privately to your email.
Nan - February 21, 2012
Hi Lizzy…First off…thanks for all the helpful info you've given. It has been simply invaluable. I get lost on STTM site at the moment. I do have a question…I've been trying to dissolve the Naturethyroisd under my tongue but it's still there an hour and a half later. Do you crush yours? Thanks, Nan
Lizzy - February 23, 2012
Hi Nan, you're very welcome! Yes, when I took Naturthroid I would crush it first with my teeth. After they reformulated (about 2 years ago) the pills became harder to dissolve. Some people use a tiny, tiny bit of sugar or honey. I switched to the compound I have specially made, which are meant to dissolve which is really nice. xxxooo Lizzy
Tamara - February 24, 2012
I have been using slow release T3 for Wilsons Temperature sydrome for 3 years and no relief from symptoms although my Temp is now averaging 98 was about 95 but with tremendous fluctuations. I now need only one pill for T3 instead of 8. I also have Hashimotos and have been using Kombucha and iodine supplements.Got my antibodies down from 3000 to 1500. I think I also have Adrenal fatugue. Can l Adrenal fatigue be cured or just treat symptoms? I don't have access to most products here in Israel but I can get prednisone. Haven't been able to find a Doctor here who even believes there is Wilson's temp and that my thyroid can start working again after 25 years. But it obviously is. What do you suggest?I will finally do a saliva test here next week but can only a afford 2 tests. It is only done privately.
Kimberli - August 23, 2012
My doc prescribed me with Whole Foods supplements in addition to my Armour and T3. My Hypothyroidism has been a trial. I started taking D3, Calm Mag and Rx grade Omega-3 nightly. Suddenly the inflammation went away. My rings started to slide off my fingers, my toes slimmed down and I am finally losing weight after 3 years. As for the Adrenal Failure, I started ordering Orthomolecular Adapten All to address stress.
Hope - October 24, 2012
After years and years of feeling miserable, I finally found a doc practicing integrative medicine who confirmed my suspicions. It has only been a few weeks and I am building up my Naturethroid dose and was told to purchase Drenamin for adrenal support. The bottle says 3-9 pills daily but i was only told to take 2 pills daily. I'm not sure, but i think it is giving me headaches and weird stomach pains. Are you familiar with this supplement? I also was diagnosed with PCOS so I have the double whammy for weight problems. I could write a book on the issues I've had with my weight since I was a young child. My other question is: how long does it take for things to start to work? Weeks, months, years? What should I start to notice first to realize that my body might actually be functioning like a normal person?Thanks so much for everything!!!!
Jennifer Steinert - September 12, 2016
Your story is so inspiring! I’m seeing a lot of info about some patients needing to temporarily include a T3 only medicine like Cytomel in their thyroid treatment when using hydrocortisone in conjunction with their desiccated thyroid in order to prevent pooling/Rt3.. Did you have to do this as well, or did you just use Naturethroid and HC during treatment?