Low Cortisol

[pete69]

Just got back the results from an AM/PM saliva cortisol test I ordered from ZRT Labs. Looks like I have low cortisol or secondary adrenal insufficiency or adrenal fatigue or whatever you wanna call it. Anyhoo, here were the results. (I wonder if this ties into my low test and high estrogen as well)

Morning Cortisol (8AM)
RANGE 3-8 ng/ml
mine .7

Night Cortisol (8PM)
RANGE .5-1.5 ng/ml
mine .6

Looks like all the crap recommended for adrenal fatigue that I took for a long time has done jack-shit. Vit. C, B-complex, Dessicated Bovine Adrenals, fish oils, etc etc.

Some of the common side effects are lethargy, low motivation, depression, thinning hair, food intolerances/sensitivities (which I have in spades), and a bunch of other crap. If anyone has any suggestions, i'd appreciate it.

Looks like the best course of action would be to get a script for Cortef, or buy Isocort to supplement hydrocortisone. Also ordered baschetti licorice extract, thinking licorice root but am hesitant b/c of it's possible testosterone lowering effects and I believe it also impairs cytocrome P-450 detox enzyme in the liver. The ephedrine and caffeine I started soon after sending in the saliva sample has done wonders for my well-being, energy, motivation and focus. Perhaps the cortisol supp. will help more.

Here's the previous blood work I had as well.

Glucose
100 - Range 65-139mg/dL
I usually follow a keto diet w/ infrequent carb loads (btw the higher carbs don't seem to alleviate anything except the facial puffiness. I feel more energy that is more stable w/out the carbs)

TSH 1.94 - Range .40 to 5.50 mIU/L
T4, Total 9.5 - Range 4.5 to 12.0 ug/dL
T3 Uptake (Low) 26.4 - Range 27.8 to 40.7 percent
T4, Free, Calculated 2.51 - Range 1.53 to 3.85 Units

Monocytes, Absolute (Low) 193 - Range 200 to 950 Cells/mcL (not sure what this might indicate besides increased risk of infection)
Eosinophils and Basophils were very low but within range

LH 3.2 - Range 1.5 to 9.3 mIU/mL
FSH 3.3 - Range 1.6 to 18.0 mIU/mL
Prolactin 10.5 - Range 2.0 to 18.0 ng/mL
HCG, Serum <5.0 - range <5.0 mIU/mL

SHBG 32 - Range 7 to 50 nmol/L
PSA, Total .71 - Range 0.0 to 4.0 ng/mL
Total Testosterone 479 - Range 260 to 1000 ng/dL
Free Testosterone % 1.8 - Range 1.0 to 2.7%
Free Testosterone 86.2 - Range 50.0 to 210.0 pg/mL

TOTAL SERUM ESTROGEN 156 (HIGH) - Range 130 or less pg/mL
(been taking 2 Bioresponse DIM every day)

Endo wouldnt treat but sent me back to get tested again on 8/30/05

TSH 2.18 - (reference range) .40 to 5.50 mIU/L

T4, Free 1.3 - (reference range) .8 to 1.8 ng/dl

T4, Total 10.6 - (reference range) 4.5 to 12.0 ug/DL

T3 Uptake 25.8 (Low) - (reference range) 27.8 to 40.7%

T4, Free, Calculated 2.73 - (reference range) 1.53 to 3.85 Units

Estradiol <32 - (reference range) <52 pg/mL

Thyroid Peroxidase AB <10 - (reference range) < or = 35 IU/mL

Thyroglobulin <20.0 - (reference range) <20.0 IU/mL

Testosterone, Total 467 - (reference range) 260 to 1000 ng/dL

Testosterone, % Free 1.9 - (reference range) 1.0 to 2.7 %

Testosterone, Free 86.5 - (reference range) 50.0 to 210.0 pg/mL

[SPE]

I don't think you can determine cortisol accurately unless you do a 24 hour urinary collection.

[Axl]

According to my doc, getting my total T and free T back up should also have a positive impact on my low cortisol. Is this correct???

[Axl]

Originally Posted by Axl

According to my doc, getting my total T and free T back up should also have a positive impact on my low cortisol. Is this correct???

Bump

[pete69]

I'm going to call the doc today to request a 24hr urinary cortisol and acth test to see how the adrenals are functioning. I'm curious to know if there is a strong connection between this, the lower T levels and elevated E. Perhaps, since the adrenals are responsible for at releasing some level of the sex hormones.

[mranak]

pete69: Are you taking any asthma medications or cordicosteroids?

Originally Posted by Axl

According to my doc, getting my total T and free T back up should also have a positive impact on my low cortisol. Is this correct???

It could. Not much data is available on this that I know of, but it makes sense that balancing out certain hormones will help others.

[pete69]

no asthma meds or corticosteroids. A few days after the test, I started on ephedrine and caffeine, it has had a profound effect on my energy, well being, mental status, confidence, etc. Which to me suggests adrenal issues, since it's stimulating Norepinephrine and Epinephrine. Not exactly raising cortisol, but perhaps helping the problem in an indirect way by stimulating hormones that have some similar function. I've used EC in the past but this time around the difference is much more pronounced.

Going for an ACTH stimulation test to see if I have secondary adrenal insufficiency. It's my understanding that if cortisol isn't being released, but the ACTH is still being secreted from the anterior pituitary, estrogen can be released instead, which would possibly be a cause of my elevated total estrogen levels. And since the thyroid had to pick up the slack from underactive adrenals for so long, hypothyroidism can follow. As well as the estrogen binding to thyroid, leaving less available to exert it's metabolic effect.