Input on my case? Thyroid/'Adrenal Fatigue'

[outdamnspot]

Long story short: after years of treatment-resistant depression/anxiety/PTSD, I crashed severely 6 months ago and progressively began to experience reactive hypoglycemia, weakness/fatigue, tinnitus, balance problems, plus most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism (low temperatures, weight gain, cold extremities etc.).

Doctors ran a lot of tests, saw a couple of endos etc., but everything was 'normal'. The only things that stood out to me were a slightly elevated TSH: 3.31 (0.0-5.0), and a high RT3: 434 (140-540); FT3 and FT4 were actually normal: 5.5 (3.3-6.4) and 17.9 (11.0-22.0).

I did a Saliva Cortisol test, but it was normal, which is confusing. A 24-hour urine Cortisol test was lower.

I noticed that anything stimulating e.g. caffeine, noots etc. would crash me even harder, offsetting hunger, the hypoglycemia, worsening the balance problems etc. Likewise, anything that lowers Cortisol (such as Melatonin, Magnesium etc.) causes issues for me. I know caffeine acutely raises Cortisol and I would feel fantastic on it for about a week before tolerance set in.

I saw an integrative GP and he prescribed an expensive Adrenal formula (mostly adaptogens, plus some nutrients), DHEA (100mg per day, dissolved in the mouth to avoid Estrogen conversion) and Natural Dessicated Thyroid (beginning on 1/4 grain, then raising by 1/4 each week).

I couldn't afford the Adrenal formula, so started on the DHEA and NDT. I felt some immediate effects from the NDT -- presumably the T3 -- such as increased warmth, palpitations etc., with a slight 'crash' feeling but nothing intolerable. Adding in the DHEA seemed to do nothing for my 'Adrenal' symptoms expect make me ravenously hungry. I stopped the DHEA after 3 days and continued with the NDT, but after feeling worse for 5 days, I called the GP. He said I needed to be taking the Adrenal Formula, and also to push the NDT dose up to 1/2 grain. I did that today and felt a little 'crashed' again, but also more clearheaded etc.

I guess there's so much conflicting information out there that I'm feeling frustrated and confused. Some say fix adrenals before thyroid; some say fixing thyroid will fix adrenals etc. It worries me that some of my symptoms, especially the fatigue and walking problems, have become worse since starting the NDT and I don't know if it's normal to feel bad at first. I try not to be impulsive, but I'm operating at almost a 0% capacity right now -- mostly bedridden, which has been going on for months -- and the anxiety is horrific, so I'm really just looking for some way to feel slightly better and (ideally, but perhaps unrealistically) get back to my life!

I'm going to try stick with this doctor's regime, even though I'm really skeptical a herbal 'Adrenal cocktail' will do much of anything for me; I've tried a lot of those herbs individually and they made me worse. I have read about people using Pregnenolone to help increase Cortisol and tolerate Thyroid replacement, so have placed an order for some sublingual drops (though don't know if Estrogen conversion will be an issue with that).

I don't know if there is a question here per se. It's just hard because according to tests/mainstream medicine, there is 'nothing wrong with me', and yet I feel close to death at times -- too weak and off-balance to even walk around my house.

I have wondered if I might do better on straight T3, given my high RT3.

Oh and FWIW, I followed a Ketogenic diet to help control the hypoglycemia, which was worked well, but hasn't improved any of my other symptoms.

 

[LW64]

Yes, there is something wrong: you have treatment-resistant depression/anxiety/PTSD.

Other than that, you were taking thyroid hormone when your own thyroid hormone levels were normal and you were taking DHEA when your own DHEA level was normal.

Describe your ketogenic diet. It's very easy to feel like total crap if it is not done properly. In fact, it's very easy to feel like total crap if it is done properly.

 

[outdamnspot]

Yes, there is something wrong: you have treatment-resistant depression/anxiety/PTSD.

Other than that, you were taking thyroid hormone when your own thyroid hormone levels were normal and you were taking DHEA when your own DHEA level was normal.

Describe your ketogenic diet. It's very easy to feel like total crap if it is not done properly. In fact, it's very easy to feel like total crap if it is done properly.

I have never heard of depression causing problems with balance/walking, nor experienced it in my 10 years of suffering; the same goes for reactive hypoglycemia, tinnitus, low waking temperatures etc. After these symptoms began, I was trialed on several psych meds with no reprieve from my symptoms, so even if it is my psych issues, that's a clear dead-end.

If you go by the revised AACE guidelines proposed, a TSH of 3.3 isn't technically normal -- it's outside of the 0.0-3.0 range. And thyroid hormones are sometimes used in patients with treatment-resistant depression anyway, particularly when they express symptoms.

I have no choice but to remain on Keto. If I don't, I was getting constant blood sugar drops and eating every hour to stave off panic attacks and reactive hypoglycemia. I eat a mix of protein (eggs, egg whites, meat) and fat (avocados, tablespoon-servings of olive oil, peanut butter, coconut oil, sour cream) with spinach and also honey before bed. I also supplement with electrolytes.

 

[Dr JIM]

Yes, there is something wrong: you have treatment-resistant depression/anxiety/PTSD.

.

ABSOLUTELY ON SPOT, yet in spite of ALL the OPs NORMAL studies he continues to search for an organic basis for his problems!

However 'that's the way he want's it so he gets it", unconventional treatment (for concocted conditions such as "reactive hypoglycemia" or adrenal fatigue) that will NOT exceed the benefit of placebo!

Now ask yourself which category of patients are most susceptible to the "placebo effect"? PSYCH PATIENTS!

GOOD LUCK

 

[Relliot]

Yes, there is something wrong: you have treatment-resistant depression/anxiety/PTSD.

Other than that, you were taking thyroid hormone when your own thyroid hormone levels were normal and you were taking DHEA when your own DHEA level was normal.

Describe your ketogenic diet. It's very easy to feel like total crap if it is not done properly. In fact, it's very easy to feel like total crap if it is done properly.

ABSOLUTELY ON SPOT, yet in spite of ALL the OPs NORMAL studies he continues to search for an organic basis for his problems!

Not trying to hi-jack this thread, but you guys seem knowledgeable and I have a question for either of you. Like the OP, I have high FT3 and TSH results, I go back in a week for more tests, but I can't find much information about what would cause both to be elevated.

TSH = 4.86 (0-4.0)
FT3 = 4.52 (2-3.95)
FT4 = 1.10 (.58-1.64)

I posted my results from two tests about three weeks apart if you want to take a look here: (The second test doesn't show TSH and FT3, but they were both lower, but still barely above normal)
Clomid Causes Men to Cry

-- Should those numbers signal something is wrong or just slightly elevated from hard training? I had elevated AST(147)/ALT(216) enzymes on that same test and thought that could maybe have affected those numbers.

-- Any suggestions on what tests I should ask to have taken?

Thanks

 

[Relliot]

Forgot to add some things:

Age: 32
Height: 6'2
Weight: 205 lbs
No medications
No Illnesses that I know of