How to address
testosterone in the presence of adrenal insufficiency/hypothyro?
1. low normal cortisol -
yes, 17 for am range 2-22
2. low to low normal DHEA -
BELOW MINIMUM W/O SUPPLEMENTATION
3. low to low normal progesterone
4. low potassium -
VERY LOW
5. low sodium
6. low normal blood sugar
7. low normal hemoglobin A1c - with a low normal mean blood sugar
2. sugar cravings -
as a kid I lived on sugar
4. fatigue or sleepiness in the late afternoon -
yup
7. feeling cold often; low body temperature -
upon waking this morning it was 96.7
10. low libido -
yes!
11. lack of energy - in the morning making it difficult to get out of bed. -
used to HATE mornings before starting isocort and armour
12. wanting to sleep in late -
see above
14. needing coffee or stimulants to function -
I would live on quad shot iced americanos. The stronger the better
15. frequent colds -
sinus infections
17. depressed or anxious mood, irritability, difficulty handling strress -
yes
20. difficulty in concentrating, impaired memory -
yes
Which brings me to my question. Prior to any supplementation, my levels hormone levels were as follows:
Test - 302 (241-827)
LH - 1.6 (1.6-9.1)
FSH - 1.6 (1.4-17)
DHEA - 218 (250-650)
Cortisol - 17 (2-22)
Looking at these, many progressive doctors would say I have secondary hypogonadism. BUT, my cortisol and DHEA are both low. Which brings me to treatment. Upon going on
testosterone and getting my levels into the UPPER 3/4's, I still felt blah. It wasn't until the addition of armour, then isocort that I really began to feel better. In a case such as this, WHY ARE TESTOSTERONE LEVELS TREATED WITH TESTOSTERONE? Isn't this treating the secondary effect and NOT the cause? Would treating testosterone with an LH analog be more appropriate? I have now doubt that improving both cortisol and thyroid will improve the above testosterone number. Adding in something like
HCG, Selegiline, or tamox/clomid would address part of the cause, wouldn't it? Maybe I'm just rambling.