Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Judith on August 19, 2011 at 8:35pm

Not sure on specifics, Char. Having fibromyalgia, adrenal fatigue has concerned me. I have seen several discussionns here, though, about the bad impact of cortisone on our blood sugar numbers--taken for other reasons, though. You might try searching the site with "cortisone." Good luck. You are tracking things really well and that will be very important as you go on!.....

Permalink Reply by Char on August 20, 2011 at 7:30am

Thanks Judith for your reply. I changed out my site last night and ended my temp. basal rate before going to bed...My BG levels were okay this morning. I'll monitor them through the day- thank goodness it's Saturday :)

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on August 19, 2011 at 8:37pm

Well, I read in Merck's Manual (a relatively old copy) that people who are being treated for Addison's disease (adrenal failure) and Type 1 diabetes DO have a harder time controlling their BG levels. And that Addison's disease is auto-immune, too. I'm not a doctor, so I'm not diagnosing anything, but if that is the case, your higher BGs are what I would have expected.

So, it's time to do your homework and read up on Addison's disease (and Cushing's disease if you're interested in other adrenal problems), so that you can talk to your doc armed with facts.

Good luck!

Permalink Reply by Gerri on August 19, 2011 at 9:57pm

A person can have adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue without having Addison's or Cushing's.

You can order your own 24-hour salvia test. It's not that expensive. I'll send info about a lab, if you're interested.

I also have late onset T1 & Hashimoto's. Am going to get my adrenals tested soon because I believe it's a factor in my thyroid issues.

Without sufficient cortisol, the cells can't uptake thyroid regardless of how much thyroid supplementation is taken. Levothyroxine is terribly ineffective. I share your pain about not finding a doctor to prescribe dessicated thyroid. Am going through that myself. My T4 is fine, but T3 is consistently low. I'm taking liothyronine (T3), but would prefer dessicated & T3. Been an uphill battle.

I read a suggestion to find a doctor to prescribe dessicated that I thought was clever. Ask your pharmacist who prescribes dessicated. Here's a web site a Tu member sent me http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm. Hoping there's a doc listed in your area. I live in an area with few endos, so I'm researching doctors of osteopathy since they'd be open to natural thyroid. Perhaps that's an option for you.

My doctor said that increasing thyroid wouldn't effect BG. That's not been my experience or that of others. So, go with what you're experiencing with HC & make the adjustments you need.

Permalink Reply by Char on August 20, 2011 at 8:00am

Gerry, It seems like we may have a lot in common! I totally agree with you. I wanted to order my own salivary labs and almost did a couple of days ago before starting on HC, but I felt desperate since I was back at work and feeling so sick. I'll have to be off of HC for two weeks before I can test my saliva again. I feel that I need a full picture to see what is going on throughout the day and night. I have checked out the top doc's site before and found an endo in my area, but she's not taking any new patients. She was also the endo my pharmacist recommended-ugh! I feel your pain in the search to find a MD willing to prescribe desiccated thyroid. I think with T1 and Hashimoto's we need an open minded physician who understands symptoms and how to look deeper using the right labs with knowledge. Thanks for your reply and good luck to you :)

Permalink Reply by Char on August 20, 2011 at 7:38am

Yes, It's good to be armed with facts, Natalie. My endo at first thought I had early Addison's, but changed her mind due to my labs. I'm the one who is pushing her to test for and consider adrenal fatigue (rather than failure) and treating it since I've read that occurs quite frequently and affects the effectiveness of thryoid meds. I feel she's expecting a lot in only one week, but we'll see. Thanks for your response :)

Permalink Reply by mhynes on August 20, 2011 at 8:19am

Not sure about HC but anytime I have ever taken cortisone or steroid injects for tendon issues it jacked with my sugars for about 3-4 days.

Permalink Reply by Robert Miles on August 20, 2011 at 2:32pm

Some info on thyroid hormones:

http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/thyroid-gland-function

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/freet3.htm

You may want to ask your endo if any test has been done for
your TBG level. Ususual values cause no known problems except
for affecting the accuracy of the tests for the other thyroid
hormones.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5095888_t.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid/hypothyroidism-too-l...

http://thyroid.about.com/od/hypothyroidismhashimotos/a/tshnormal_2.htm

FT3 measures the more active form of thyroid hormone and
therefore needs to be kept normal. Have you asked your
endo if Thyrolar or Cytomel is available in your area, and
if either is a suitable treatment for bad FT3 values?
Dessicated thyroid is no longer the only possible treatment
for low FT3 readings, but I'm not sure your endo is aware of
these other two.

Months ago, there was a recall on dessicated thyroid due to
some type of contamination. Perhaps your endo simply no
longer trusts it.

Also, some endos seem to assume that keeping FT4 at a normal
value is sufficient and FT3 is less important. I hope this is not
true for all the endos in your area.

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on August 20, 2011 at 6:07pm

Since T4 is converted to T3 in normal individuals, maybe the endos are ignoring the possibility that the mechanism is not functioning properly in some people? Also, what's total TBG?

Permalink Reply by Char on August 20, 2011 at 6:46pm

Hi Natalie...what's total TBG?

Permalink Reply by Natalie ._c- on August 20, 2011 at 7:31pm

I don't know -- I got it from Robert Miles' post above, so I'm asking the same question!

Permalink Reply by Char on August 20, 2011 at 7:57pm

lol!

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page