News you won't see in controlled mainstream media.

Does anyone know if there's a link?

I seem to be having a lot of trouble resisting sugar at the weekends at the moment. This is a pattern I've noticed in past winters. When I'm feeling better then sugar makes me worse; but when I'm really struggling, sugar seems to help me function better. It's an awful thing to rely on for that because I'm aware of all the other negative effects of eating the stuff.

My pule rate has been about 65 bpm in the morning; this morning, after eating sugar yesterday, it was 80. Temperature still low though. And I'm not feeling great, still irritable, but I have more energy to function and I generally don't feel so painful inside. That symptom is difficult to describe but I'm sure others here have had it. It's like having joint or muscle pain but instead it's like the whole inside of you, your emotions and your spirit even, is just hurting.

I don't want to eat sugar but as long as I know it helps in this way it's impossible to stay away from it for long, even though I know it interferes with chelation.

BTW I thought very carefully about my situation, and the advice given here, and decided to order some Armour anyway. I've got to find out if it helps. This is the hardest time of year for me. I don't see Dr. Peatfield for another month and my condition deteriorates noticeably in that time, February and March always being the worst times of year for me. I'm getting the Armour from that company that ships it from the south Pacific and will try having a quarter grain twice a day, see if it helps. It's a hell of a lot healthier than dosing myself with sugar.

Linda

sugar cravings are more likely adrenals. If they are underperforming, ie not producing enough cortisol, your body will be seeking other ways to feel good. Cravings for or addiction to carbs, alcohol, exercise are common with low adrenals. I certainly had two of those three before I crashed <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

By all means try the Armour, but given that you probably have low adrenals, go very slowly. Absolutely no more than 15-30mg to start with, and two weeks between dose raises. If you get shaky or hypoglycemic, your adrenals aren't coping and you'll have to back down again. It's best to start low and increase slow, otherwise you could fry your adrenals more.

I could wear a T-shirt saying 'Been there, done that'. The sad thing is, it was entirely doctor-caused. Before I knew anything about thyroid / adrenals, my doctor put me on 25mcg Euthryox (T4 only meds), which I got no benefit from because I couldn't convert the T4 to T3 and my adrenals were so pathetically weak, and so I remained hypo. He then increased my dose, so which the kiss of death for my adrenals. I had a big adrenal crash two years ago, and don't expect my adrenals will ever recover. I now have to take steroids every day to replace the cortisol my adrenals can't make.

Tread carefully.

Nicola

Good heavens, I had no idea that had happened to you. Thanks for sharing here. My cortisol actually goes too high sometimes. Sometimes it's hard to know what to do. I take a good variety of supplements, including some specifically for adrenal support. My ND told me that a glandular supplement would be inappropriate for me. Do you know what else I could look at doing to support my adrenals?

I will go very slowly and carefully with the Armour. By the time it gets here it should only be a few weeks before I see Dr. Peatfield, so there's no reason to be in a hurry.

Thanks for the advice,
Linda.

I think the sugar cravings are related to serotonin being low. St. John's Wort helped me greatly in reducing my cravings for chocolate. Others use prescription antidepressants instead. They can't both be used at the same time. If someone is on any prescription drugs they should consult with their physician first before taking ST. john's Wort. The main side effect of St. John's Wort is sensitivity to sunlight. Those taking it should limit their sun exposure and wear sunglasses outdoors during the day. Many people tend to sunburn much easier while on St. John's Wort.

I found these articles by searching Google with sugar serotonin. There are many more such articles.

http://www.womentowomen.com/symptoms/cravings.aspx
http://www.mcmanweb.com/article-152.htm


One other thing. There were articles about chronic fatigue syndrome which mentioned studies that many people felt increased energy by increasing their salt intake. Increasing my salt intake has helped me.

Just thought I'd share that I also had an adrenal crash of epic proportions a year and a half ago. I also have to take cortisol in physiological doses.

My thyroid has consistently tested fine -- even with the high tiered thyroid testing from elite labs. Go figure.

Just thought I'd post these links to adrenal and thyroid info. Apologies if someone has already provided this to you, Linda, or you've already found them yourself.

A good primer on Adrenal Fatigue:
http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/adrenal_fatigue.cfm

The often-quoted (or linked), Dr. Rind, on thyroid and adrenals:
http://www.drrind.com/metabolic.asp

And I offer this link for you since you're having to wait so long to see your doc. I've never used the services of these people linked below as far as testing and consultation because I have holistic/functional docs that already do this testing for me. However, I HAVE used this website to order supplements and have gotten prompt, accurate service.

Anyway, this practice sees patients in person, but also has "E-Patients." You can order tests from them online and then do a phone consult with them to discuss results and possible treatment. They are in Florida and I don't know whether they deal with international folks, but you could inquire if you're interested.

I noted that while they test for hormonal inbalances, including an adrenal stress test, they don't appear to do a straight-up thyroid test. My docs have done quite a few of the other tests this place offers as well. More holistic/functional/integrative docs are starting to do this. I must admit that the results have been illuminating.

http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/index.html

Perhaps there are other doctor facilities that offer this sort of "E-service" to people? Testing is the first order of business with the thyroid/adrenal problems. If you had information on how your thyroid and adrenals were functioning then you'd know which path to set out on.

Hope this helps and I hope you feel better soon.

Sharon

p.s. The place I linked above can also test your neurotransmitters. I had a similar test done and discovered that my serotonin levels were very low. Further testing revealed that I had a problem in one of the uptake pathways. The cause was a previously undiagnosed gastrointestinal infection of all things! Something like 80% of the serotonin that is produced in the body is done in the intestines. The neurotransmitter testing, together with the organic acids testing and a full gastrointestinal stool panel is what gave me the answers on that front.

We treated the gut infection and I was placed on compounded L-Tryptophan and a couple of other supps to help with the serotonin uptake (B6, for example) and voila, it really brought me out of the douldrums (sp?).

I know you mean well JK, but I have a bad history with St. John's wort and antidepressants. They are mostly to thank for the cortisol dysregulation I am experiencing. I would never recommend them to anyone. Just to let you know, I feel quite strongly there <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all this Sharon. The first link was given to me earlier by Sunshine. The second one was new, and interesting. This doctor says that if a patient presents with depression, they treat thyroid first. I know it's a blanket approach but it gives me some comfort in having decided to try taking a little Armour.

I wouldn't usually mind waiting a month to see a doctor, then waiting again for tests. I wasn't too bad in the summer. It's just that I'm facing my worst 2 months and I've already deteriorated noticeably over the past few. I'd rather not find out what depths I will end up plumbing if I don't take some action of some kind.

I learned a lot about serotonin when I came off the AD. Any talk about it makes me uncomfortable, because it's so much a part of the big pharma myth that depression=low serotonin=SSRIs. I really got burned there and in order for my body to heal I mustn't boost my serotonin artificially again. Maybe mine is low -- but there's a reason for it and I'd rather find it and treat that. I'll see what the good doc says in a month.

Thanks for the support guys <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

"I know you mean well JK, but I have a bad history with St. John's wort and antidepressants. They are mostly to thank for the cortisol dysregulation I am experiencing. I would never recommend them to anyone. Just to let you know, I feel quite strongly there "

I too am afraid of prescription anti depressants. As for St. John's Wort, you may have taken too much. Just one 300 mg 0.3% hypericin capsule each night might be all that is needed.
I was taking one then later 2 per night. Come to think of it, I was 200 pounds then, so a woman who is much closer to 100 pounds than 200 pounds might only need half a 300 mg capsule per day. I can see how taking too much can cause a bad reaction. Perhaps you might want to reconsider your opinion on St. John's Wort. I think the stuff is great, but it does need to be used in moderation.

I know you've been burned with the SSRI's. I recall reading your posts. You're in a different situation from me, obviously. But I opted for the L-Tryptophan at the suggestion of the lab that did the tests and also my doctors because testing showed that I was also deficient in L-Tryptophan. My body won't overproduce serotonin on the L-Tryptophan. It'll take what it needs to do the conversion and that's it. So far, that theory has been true for me and I only need to pulse the supplement now and not take it daily.

I just highlighted a few of the functional tests I had taken to show you how that type of testing can be helpful in finding root causes of some symptoms. This sort of testing is far beyond what "normal" or conventional approaches are offering now. I wasn't necessarily recommending that you go out and start boosting your serotonin.

Hope you feel better.

Sharon

I welcome the help Sharon. I'm not criticising your decisions, just truthfully confessing that the subject of serotonin makes me feel uncomfortable. I'd actually like to learn more about its true place holistically in the body, rather than what the drug companies say. At the moment so much of the info out there about serotonin is not rooted in facts and comes from that propaganda. I don't know what to believe to be honest. Maybe in a way that actually would prevent me from getting treatment, because I'd feel overly cautious.

Testing is something I've had very little of and I hope Dr. Peatfield can get me some that will be beneficial. It is an important diagnostic tool but somehow our GPs never seem to do the ones that really matter -- or they rely on them too much and believe there is no problem because it doesn't show up on the tests.

A lot of the guesswork in treating ourselves can be eliminated through good testing. I hope I can start making use of this myself soon; it will be nice to see some concrete facts and figures and stop relying so much on symptoms alone to guide me in treatment.

Linda I had massive sugar cravings when candida was out of control.
It was to the point I didn't even want water, only sodas

Btw where are you ordering armour from?

I know sugar cravings can be due to candida. I'm pretty sure that I don't have candida overgrowth though. People have also told me in the past that it's just a pure mental addiction, but right now it isn't. It really does pick me up -- though I end up trying to fight it anyway because of the other negative effects I know it has. It's quite possible it's got something to do with adrenals.

The Armour is from here. I hope they are aboveboard. They tell me they've shipped my order and it will take a week to get here.

Haven't heard from you in a while Kriminal, how are you?

Hi Linda, you might be right here. Have you thought of opting for just natural higher carbs/sugar? Instead of going from the ultra strict diet to then cheating on plain bad sugars?

I used to be able to handle some fruit (even honey) and non gluten grains and potatoes.....And I did fine on them, so long as I steered clear of gluten/wheat and sugar/yeast.

Nowadays, sadly I cannot even "cheat" on the healthy natural sugars and one piece of fruit or some milk or anything can set me back badly.

You maybe different and your body maybe requiring a bit more high carb? Just a thought.

It is very very difficult to try and get into some kind of balance, when we really don't know all the ins and outs of what exactly is going on and if you help "one" area, sometimes you can make the other worse. But if you really crave and feel a bit lifted by sugar, opt for the natural ones if you can.

Just a thought.

That's an interesting idea Bex. Thanks, I'm lost on this one myself.

Usually I cut the sugar out on Monday mornings, when I go back to work. Today I had some -- and I actually felt tons better when I got to school. It made me realise how awful I normally feel -- and how wrong that is.

There are 2 lessons on a Monday morning when I'm not paid to be in school, so I went to the shops and looked for a glandular supplement, amongst other things. Ther health food shops didn't have one so I was going to go home and order one off the internet, when I looked across the street at the Chinese medicine clinic, and wondered if they might have something like that. I ended up getting a medical evaluation and making an appointment for acupuncture this Friday. I'm going to be getting some herbal tea too. It's a bit expensive and I'm going to just give it a go and see what comes of it. Hadn't intended on this happening, LOLOL. But I'm learning about energy medicine and why not venture into this new area. It won't hurt and who knows, maybe it really will help.

Still don't know whether or not to get the glandular. Have to think about that.

linda, have you tried xylitol, i use it everyday, it tastes just the same as sugar, i also use agave syrup, both are fine for us. i have terrible xylitol cravings, lol. in the past i used stevia, but you can only get it from the U.S, so to make life easier i switched to xylitol, the one made from birch is much better than the one made from corn.i get very miserable if i cant have something sweet.

You could also try eating plenty of cinnamon. In addition to being an antifungal, cinnamon helps to moderate blood sugar.


It is also loaded with minerals. Many who crave sugar are hypoglycemic. The problem with eating sugar is that it temporarily raises the blood sugar level, but then plenty of insulin is released, and the blood sugar level drops to below where it was before the sugar was eaten. Sugar is also notorious for causing tooth decay.

Take a look at the nutritional profile of cinnamon.

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts-C00001-01c202u.html

"Add spices to your food. Cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaf have been shown to be helpful in reducing sugar cravings. "

http://www.shakeoffthesugar.net/sugar-cravings.html

Doing good just battling candida.

I used some iron supplementation and was feeling better but my tongue got extremely white, more than usual .

Apparently fungus likes iron too. The problem is I was feeling better. Does a whiter tongue mean more candida is dying or does it mean that there is more candida in the gut reaching the mouth?

It would be a closed book on this one If i was feeling worse with the iron, I have stopped it since built up Iron cannot be excreted except by taking blood out.

Yea it might not be candida for you, low blood sugar can be caused by too many things, and every time you take sugar you feel better (I really don't think it is a mental addiction).

Let me know if your armour arrives

I'll let others field the questions about candida here Kriminal, since I don't know a lot about it. Sounds like such a frustrating battle.

You all are wonderful, thanks for the ideas. I think I can respond to some of them with a reasonable degree of confidence.

I don't think I've ever had candida overgrowth because I've looked at the symptom profile and it's never really matched me. I also have had a few good months of strict paleo at a time and have never experienced die-off. My digestion has been in excellent shape on Paleo.

I'm not technically even craving sugar -- not gasping for it. It's just that I know I feel better "on" it. It isn't that I want something sweet, even. I want that relief and energy that it gives me. And yes, the endorphins that it raises are pleasurable too.

I don't think I'm hypoglycemic, again because I've done so well on paleo. My blood sugar actually has improved since I got my fillings out. It used to be that if I went more than about four hours without food, I'd get shaky and low. Now I can go seven hours or more, though I rarely do; I have three square meals that keep me full. I did look into dietary supplements for hypoglycemia for a time, considered a cinnamon extract, but eventually decided on taking a couple of things I can't honestly remember right now. Took them for several months and noticed no difference, so cut them out.

I think it's clear that the sugar is causing me to have more energy. No battles with sluggishness today, and it's certainly had a knock-on effect on my mood. The problem now is that if I cut sugar out again, which I am keen to do, it's back to zombie-state.

The Chinese medicine might help with the symptoms but my gut instinct is that it isn't going to do much for the root causes of the problem. I'm thinking I'll have my appointment Friday, have a week of the herbal tea, and leave it at that unless there are some noticeable effects. I'm going to order a glandular in a moment and see if that helps.

This is just my experience, for what it's worth. Among the seemingly endless illnesses I am currently combating, I have systemic candidiasis (yeast) and I also have hypoadrenia (diagnosed adrenal fatigue). The systemic candidiasis is a familiar foe for me as I've battled it for 20 years off and on. In my personal experience, the sugar cravings resulting from yeast issues are far different from the sugar "cravings" I experience with adrenal dysfunction.

Before my adrenal glands crashed, the sugar cravings from the yeast were just that -- cravings. My body sent out an urgent, need-to-have craving for sugar. And usually, I felt worse after consuming sugar in that my yeast symptoms were exacerbated. And succumbing to the yeast derived sugar cravings typically did not provide sustenance or stamina for me.

Now, my body is in a state of hypoadrena. I am still trying to control yeast now with antifungals and also diet. But, like Linda, I do find that I simply can NOT exclude sugar (or some complex carbs) from my diet. My body simply will begin to shut down without one or the other. It's almost like having hypoglycemia reactions -- but adhering to a hypoglycemic-type diet doesn't do the trick. I seem to need protein, complex carbs and also sometimes sugar in order to keep my body's metabolic energy up. It's sustenance for me. Without doing this I feel like a deflated baloon and dead. Interestingly, my blood sugar tests have all been normal.

I'd be interested to know if any of the other people here with diagnosed hypoadrenia have experienced the same need for and/or reactions to sugar that Linda and I have.

I think it is worth pursuing what imegha shared. That adrenal dysregulation causes the sugar issues. Doing a quick Google search on "adrenal dysregulation sugar" will bring up alot of info from many different sources.

Hope you don't mind but I'm going to paste a rather long article for convenience here. Coincidentally, it is from that link I provided above. I'm not affiliated with that place in any way. I just thought this particular article was helpful in accruing info.



Adrenal Fatigue or Hypoadrenia occurs when poor nutrition, physical or emotional stress weaken and deplete the adrenal glands to the point that they no longer are able to provide balanced amounts of steroid hormones. The adrenal glands can deplete the body's hormonal and energy reserves, and may either shrink in size or hypertrophy (enlarge).

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome is a collection of signs and symptoms that is the results of the adrenal glands inability to produce enough hormones to supply the body's demand. It should not be confused with Addison's Disease which is adrenal failure.

The overproduction of adrenal hormones caused by prolonged stress can weaken the immune system and inhibit the production of white blood cells that protect the body against foreign invaders (in particular lymphocytes and lymph node function). Adrenal dysfunction can disrupt the body's blood sugar metabolism, causing weakness, fatigue, and a feeling of being run down. It can also interfere with normal sleep rhythms and produce a wakeful, unrelaxing sleep state, making a person feel worn out even after a full night's sleep.

Many patients appear in their practitioner's office with symptoms of depression, anxiety, panic attacks and are placed on antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication when in reality they suffer from adrenal fatigue.

Normal Adrenal Gland Functions

Your adrenal glands are two tiny pyramid-shaped pieces of tissue situated right above each kidney. Their job is to produce and release, when appropriate, certain regulatory hormones and chemical messengers.

The adrenal glands are controlled via the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. There is an existing negative feedback loop that governs the amount of adrenal hormones secreted under normal circumstances. The inner or medulla modulates the sympathetic nervous system through secretion and regulation of two hormones called epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) that are responsible for the fight or flight response.

The outer cortex manufactures the steroid hormones cortisone, hydrocortisone, testosterone, estrogen, 17-hydroxy-ketosteroids, DHEA and DHEA sulfate, cholesterol, pregnenolone, aldosterone, androstenedione, progesterone and a variety of intermediary hormones. The adrenals are the major steroid factories of the body.

In addition to helping you handle stress, these two primary adrenal hormones, adrenaline and cortisol, along with others similarly produced, help control body fluid balance, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other central metabolic functions.

Adrenaline

Adrenaline (epinephrine) is the "fight-or-flight" stress hormone. Epinephrine is a neurotransmitter secreted by the adrenal gland that is associated with sympathetic nervous system activity. It prolongs and intensifies the following effects of the sympathetic nervous system.

* Causes the pupils of the eyes to dilate
* Increases the heart rate, force of contraction, and blood pressure
* Constricts the blood vessels of nonessential organs such as the skin
* Dilates blood vessels to increase blood flow to organs involved in exercise or fighting off danger, skeletal muscles, cardiac muscle, liver, and adipose tissue
* Increases the rate and depth of breathing and dilates the bronchioles to allow faster movement of air in and out of the lungs
* Raises blood sugar as the liver glycogen is converted to glucose
* Slows down or even stops processes that are not essential for meeting the stress situation, such as muscular movements of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive secretions

Cortisol

Cortisone and hydrocortisone are the major "glucocorticoids." They help regulate the level of glucose in the body through a process known as "gluconeogenesis.

Cortisol, your long term stress hormone is made in the exterior portion of the gland, called the adrenal cortex. Cortisol, commonly called hydrocortisone, is the most abundant -- and one of the most important -- of many adrenal cortex hormones.

* Stimulates the liver to convert amino acids to glucose, the primary fuel for energy production.
* Stimulates increased glycogen in the liver. Glycogen is the stored form of glucose.
* Mobilizes and increases fatty acids in the blood (from fat cells) to be used as fuel for energy production.
* Counteracts inflammation and allergies.
* Prevents the loss of sodium in urine and thus helps maintain blood volume and blood pressure.
* Maintains resistance to stress (e.g., infections, physical trauma, temperature extremes, emotional trauma, etc.).
* Maintains mood and emotional stability.
* Excess Cortisol

Effects of elevated cortisol

* Stimulates fat deposits and can result in weight gain.
* Increased fat accumulation around waist.
* Increases blood pressure.
* Increases protein breakdown that can lead to muscle loss.
* Causes demineralization of bone that can lead to osteoporosis.
* Interferes with skin's ability to regeneration and heal.
* Causes demineralization of bone that can lead to osteoporosis.
* Interferes with skin's ability to regeneration and heal.
* Cortisol is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
* Suppresses the immune system.
* Immune shutdown: yeast, viral, and bacterial infections.
* Poor memory: Brain (hippocampus) atrophy
* Estrogen dominance, leading to PMS, uterine fibroids, and breast cancer.
* Increases blood sugar, which leads to reduced insulin sensitivity and diabetes


Symptoms of elevated cortisol

* Fatigue/ decreased energy
* Impaired memory
* Insomnia
* Anxiety
* Crying
* Impaired concentration
* Restlessness
* Feelings of Hopelessness

DHEA

* Is a precursor for testosterone and estrogen.
* Reverses immune suppression caused by excess cortisol levels. thereby improving resistance against viruses, bacteria and Candida albicans, parasites, allergies, and cancer.
* Stimulates bone deposition and remodeling to prevent osteoporosis.
* Improves cardiovascular status by lowering total cholesterol and LDL levels, thereby lessening incidences of heart attack.
* Increases muscle mass. Decreases percentage of body fat.
* Involved in the thyroid gland's conversion of the less active T4 to the more active T3.
* Reverses many of the unfavorable effects of excess cortisol, creating subsequent improvement in energy/ vitality, sleep, premenstrual symptoms, and mental clarity.
* Accelerates recovery from any kind of acute stress (e.g., insufficient sleep, excessive exercise, mental strain, etc.).

Pregnenolone

Leads to the production of progesterone and as one of the intermediary steps in the making of cortisol. Pregnenolone is therefore one of the most important intermediate hormones being produced in the hormonal cascade. Prolonged deficiencies in pregnenolone will lead to reduction of both glucocorticosteroids and mineralcorticoids such as cortisol and aldosterone respectively.

Causes Of Adrenal Fatigue

Stress, Stress, and more Stress!

The most common causes of stress are work pressure, death of a love one, moving, changing jobs, physical illness and marital problems.

Other Adrenal Stressors:

* Anger
* Fear
* Worry/anxiety
* Depression
* Guilt
* Overwork/ physical or mental strain
* Excessive exercise
* Sleep deprivation
* Light-cycle disruption
* Going to sleep late
* Surgery
* Trauma/injury
* Chronic inflammation
* Chronic infection
* Chronic pain
* Temperature extremes
* Toxic exposure
* Malabsorption
* Maldigestion
* Chronic illness
* Chronic-severe allergies
* Hypoglycemia
* Nutritional deficiencies


Stages of Adrenal Fatigue

The famous researcher Hans Selye described the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS) in 1936. It involves three stages. In the first stage, the alarm reaction, a new situation is met with anxiety and surprise. A person intermittently secretes slightly higher levels of the adrenalin, the fight or flight hormone, in response to a slightly higher level of stress. The adrenal cortex is stimulated to produce additional cortisol and related hormones.

The second stage, called adaptation or resistance begins when the stress is constant enough, to cause sustained excessive levels of certain adrenal hormones. This is the body's response to long term protection. It secretes further hormones that increase blood sugar levels to sustain energy and raise blood pressure. The adrenal cortex (outer covering) produces hormones called corticosteroids for this resistance reaction.

The third phase is called exhaustion, wherein the body's ability to cope with the stress is now depleted. At this point, adrenal hormones drop from excessively high to excessively low and the body experiences adrenal exhaustion. Mental, physical and emotional resources suffer heavily. The body experiences "adrenal exhaustion". The blood sugar levels decrease as the adrenals become depleted, leading to decreased stress tolerance, progressive mental and physical exhaustion, illness and collapse.

Disruptions in the body's stress center--the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis--act as crucial triggers in the initial onset and progression of depression. HPA under activity is linked to atypical depression fatigue, lethargy, indifference. Over activity of the body's stress system is associated with anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, and loss of libido. A hyperactive Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis, results in significantly higher morning and midnight salivary cortisol levels which contributes to anxiety and mood symptoms by interfering with serotonin activity. This also leads to an impairment in the thyroid gland, which can cause a further decline in energy level and mood and is one of the reasons why many people have thyroid glands that don't work well.

Testing for Adrenal Fatigue

In order to determine the health of your adrenal glands you need to have a blood, urine, or saliva test performed by a practitioner trained to treat adrenal fatigue. Most doctors are unfamiliar with this condition for the simple reason that it is difficult to diagnose effectively by traditional blood test. Conventional labs set the ranges to detect adrenal failure (Addison's Disease) Cortisol levels may be checked throughout the day by a saliva test to determine if they are highest in the morning and lowest in the evening. Saliva testing is preferred as it measures the amount of free and circulating hormones instead of the binded hormone commonly measured in blood test. DHEA, Epinephrine, and norepinephrine are some other indicators of adrenal function. The information provided by testing can help to determine the most appropriate type of treatment.

Self Screening Tests for Adrenal Dysfunction

Ragland's sign (blood pressure test) -- (Equipment required: Home blood pressure kit) Take your blood pressure while sitting down. Then, stand up and immediately take your blood pressure again. Your systolic (first) number should have raised 8 to 10 mm. If it dropped, you probably have adrenal fatigue.

Pupil dilation exam -- (Equipment required: Flashlight and a mirror) Look into the mirror and shine the flashlight into the pupil of one eye. It should contract. If after 30 seconds, it stays the same or, even worse, dilates, you most likely have adrenal fatigue.

Pain when pressing on adrenal glands (located over kidneys)

Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms

* Low body temperature
* Weakness
* Unexplained hair loss
* Nervousness
* Difficulty building muscle
* Irritability
* Mental depression
* Difficulty gaining weight
* Apprehension
* Hypoglycemia
* Inability to concentrate
* Excessive hunger
* Tendency towards inflammation
* Moments of confusion
* Indigestion
* Feelings of frustration
* Poor memory
* Alternating diarrhea and constipation
* Osteoporosis
* Lack of energy
* Auto-immune diseases
* Lightheadedness
* Palpitations [heart fluttering
* Dizziness that occurs upon standing
* Poor resistance to infections
* Low blood pressure
* Insomnia
* Food and/or inhalant allergies
* PMS
* Craving for sweets
* Dry and thin skin
* Headaches
* Scanty perspiration
* Alcohol intolerance

Treatment for Adrenal Fatigue

Adrenal Fatigue treatment requires diet and lifestyle changes. It may take 6 month to 2 years for the adrenal fatigue to resolve.

Adrenal Fatigue Supplements

Supplements for adrenal fatigue play an important role in nourishing and strengthening your adrenal gland. The will allow the adrenal gland to be restored to a more healthy level of functioning which could not occur without them. It can consist of herbs, vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. We have listed the adrenal supplements individually but we carry many excellent adrenal supplements with most of the ingredients combined in on capsule.

Please visit our Adrenal Supplements section for information on the many professional grade adrenal supplements we carry.

**Because of the similarities in low and high cortisol symptoms it is highly advisable to obtain a saliva cortisol test before beginning any treatment plan. If you are suffering from excessive amounts of cortisol and take adrenal cortical extracts or other supplements to raise an already elevated cortisol level your symptoms will become worse.


Adrenal glandulars, or Adrenal Cortical Extracts- This is desiccated adrenal gland. It is extremely important in the initial phases of adrenal repair since it provides raw materials to support adrenal function. It also contains some important adrenal hormones.

B-Complex contains Vitamin B6, niacin and other B vitamins needed as co-factors in enzymatic pathways and to restore proper adrenal functioning.

Cortisol replacement- Isocort is designed to provide adrenal support for those who have adrenal fatigue or reduced cortisol levels. Isocort provides relief from reduced cortisol production which can result in many symptoms including, fatigue, and difficulty getting up in the morning, food cravings, allergies, anxiety, and lack of energy. Isocort provides a standardized dose of the adreno-cortical substance (Cortisol) to supplement adrenal function .

Cordyceps: This is a Chinese mushroom used for supporting the adrenal gland. The typical dose is one to two tablets three times daily.

DHEA
Aging and diseases associated with aging can cause a decline in critical hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Pregnenolone is converted into crucial antiaging hormones such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. DHEA supplementation may help to partly rectify hormone imbalances caused by age-induced adrenal insufficiency.

7-Keto DHEA: This form does not convert to sex hormones but will still give support to adrenal functions. It also is thermogenic aiding in fat burning.

Essential fatty acids: The reason they are called essential is that our body needs them for good health but cannot manufacture them. They aid in the healing process, increase energy, and are anti inflammatory.

L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in green tea that produces a calming effect in the brain. It works by increasing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) that is a relaxer and creates a sense of well-being. L-theanine may be taken to help modulate mood and relieve stress in many health conditions (Abe et al. 1995; Kobayashi et al. 1998; Juneja et al. 1999).

Licorice
Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) works by blocking the breakdown of hydrocortisone in the liver. the hydrocortisone level then becomes higher, and this slows down the production of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) from the pituitary gland, giving the adrenals a much-needed rest. Licorice is a highly prized medicinal in Chinese medicine. Glycyrrhiza may be taken in a variety of ways, including as a tea. Licorice can the be tapered off when adrenal gland function is restored.

Magnesium (Citrate)is important for cellular energy (ATP) production. It is essential for enzyme production in the adrenal cascade.

Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) activates the adrenal glands. It is a precursor of acetyl CoA (a part of the Krebs's cycle which produces cellular energy) and acetylcholine (a primary neurotransmitter). Pantothenic acid deficiency results in adrenal insufficiency, which is characterized by fatigue, headache, sleep disturbances, nausea, and abdominal discomfort (Tarasov et al. 1985; Smith et al. 1996; Murray et al. 1997).

Pregnenolone: Pregnenolone is a precursor to many of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands. It is a raw material that supports basic adrenal function. Pregnenolone is best taken towards the evening but may be taken earlier if it interferes with sleep. The usual dose is 25 mg.

Siberian Ginseng supports and rejuvenates adrenal functioning, regulates neurotransmitters, normalizes metabolism. It counteracts mental fatigue, increases energy and endurance.

Trace Minerals (zinc, manganese, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, copper, iodine)

Vitamin C: Helps support adrenal functions and is best taken with bioflavanoids to be fully utilized by the body. Vitamin C is essential for the production of adrenal steroid hormones, increases overall adrenal function and stimulates the immune system.

Vitamin E with mixed tocopherols daily

Adrenal supplements for excessive cortisol

DHEA
DHEA may help to protect against the overproduction of cortisol from the adrenal glands and enhance the immune system. This is an important factor since too much cortisol accelerates aging and causes immune system disorders. Studies show that DHEA deficiency may actually debilitate immune status (Wisniewski 1993; Morio et al. 1996).

Vitamin C
Studies show that vitamin C and aspirin can attenuate and influence cortisol, inducing an anti-inflammatory response to prolonged exercise and stress. Vitamin C has been shown to reduce the elevation of cortisol in response to heavy exercise. In human studies, 3000 mg of vitamin C daily counteracted a rise in blood pressure, cortisol, and subjective response to acute psychological stress ( Di Luigi et al. 2001; Peters et al. 2001a, 2001b; Brody et al. 2002).


Phosphatidylserine (PS)
Phosphatidylserine is a phospholipid that is a structural component of the biological membranes in animals and plants. In studies, supplemental PS has been shown to improve mood and blunt the release of cortisol in response to physical stress (Monteleone et al. 1990; Kelly 1999; Benton et al. 2001). A popular brand with healthcare practitioners is Seriphos which is a phosphorylated serine and is more readily absorbable.

Melatonin
Melatonin is secreted by the pineal gland and functions to regulate circadian rhythm and induce sleep. Melatonin circadian secretion in patients with pituitary- or adrenal-dependent Cushing's syndrome was shown to be significantly lower compared to healthy control groups. Studies also have shown that nightly administration of 2 mg of melatonin increased the DHEA-S-cortisol ratio after 6 months of treatment (Soszynski et al. 1989; Bruls et al. 2000; Pawlikowski et al. 2002).

Find out more about the Adrenal Stress Test that is available!

Lifestyle changes such as:

Reduce Stress. Family, job, financial, and marital stress are factors that must be reduced or eliminated when possible. Sometimes seeing a mental health counselor to develop coping skills to deal with life's stressors can be helpful.


Eat steadily, all day long. Skipping meals is one of the worst things you can do for your body. When you're hungry, your blood sugar drops, stressing your adrenal glands and triggering your sympathetic nervous system. That causes light-headedness, cravings, anxiety and fatigue.

Skipping breakfast is particularly bad, as it is a sure fire way to gain, not lose, weight. If you start each morning with a good breakfast and "graze" healthfully every two to four hours, your blood sugar won't take any sharp dips. You'll feel more rested and energetic. Another drawback to skipping meals: The resulting low blood sugar can slow the speed at which you process

Exercise to relax. Walking, YOGA, deep breathing, and stretching are great stress reducers. Vigorous or aerobic exercise can deplete the adrenals. If your symptoms are severe wait until you feel a little stronger to do these.

Get 8 hours sleep or more. During sleep your adrenal glands are restored and repaired. Unfortunately, most of us place little value on sleep, and end up getting less than we need, night after night. Result: Your adrenal glands stay depleted.

Foods to Avoid in Adrenal Fatigue

* Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread.
* Alcoholic beverages in excess reduce the functioning of the immune and energy production systems
* Artificial sweeteners (Stevia is okay)
Foods high in potassium make adrenal fatigue worse (bananas, all melons, dried figs, raisins, dates, oranges, grapefruit, etc.)
* Chemicals, additives and preservatives such as sodium nitrate, MSG
Oysters, clams, lobster, deep-sea fish such as tuna, mackerel, and swordfish that may contain toxic levels of mercury.
* Absolutely NO Caffeine
* Coffee/Sodas over stimulates your adrenals. They deplete important B vitamins and alter your pH levels. Coffee does not give you energy; coffee gives you the illusion of energy. Coffee actually drains the body of energy and makes you more tired, because of vitamin and adrenal depletion.
* Sweetened fruit juices

The following have been shown to relieve Adrenal Fatigue symptoms:

* Sleeping until 9 a.m. as often as possible
* Laughing
* Exercising
* Minimizing stress
* Taking negative people out of your life
* Eating regular meals
* Chewing well
* Doing something fun each day
* Combining unrefined carbohydrates with protein and oils
* Avoiding junk food, white potatoes, white bread, white flour, white rice, and refined sugar
* Eating five to six servings of vegetables each day
* Taking calcium and magnesium supplements
* Adding sea salt to your diet (May add ½ tsp sea salt to 8 oz water in the morning)


Sharon

Hi Linda
I had been checking out some videos on google and I saw some on an herbal doc and he said one of the best herbs to help reset the hormones is Dong Quai. It is used more for the female thing but since this all has to do with hormones I thought it might help. I am going to try it myself and see if it helps at all. He also said ginseng would help with the energy...don't know if it will work but i am gona try both. I can't seem to make any headway with getting my temp to come up so I am gona give these two a try. I will let you know. Maybe this will help me...I hope! I am so tired of being tired I'll try almost anything LOL
Hope you feel better real soon with no sugar. Rachel

Here is some info on the dong quai:
History and Uses:
The Dong Quai plant is typically harvested after the plant is three years old, and it is one of the most popular herbs used today for treating female conditions, both in China and the United States. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Dong Quai is often referred to as the "female ginseng." Rich in niacin and vitamin E, Dong Quai is a good source of iron, cobalt and essential oils. Ligustilide, butylene phthalide and butyl phthalide are found in the volatile aromatic oil of this herb, while ferulic acid and various polysaccharides are found in the non-aromatic fractions. Popular for regulating menstruation, Dong Quai is beneficial for promoting blood flow to the reproductive organs, relieving menstrual cramps, regulating uterine contractions and alleviating some symptoms related to menopause, including mood swings. A large part of its actions with regard to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may be related to its antispasmodic actions, particularly on smooth muscles. Dong Quai has an immediate and stimulating effect on the uterus, especially during pregnancy or delivery. It is given to women after birthing to help prevent postpartum bleeding and to build strength. The herb is said to build the blood and improve circulation, as well as disperse congestion in the pelvic region. It is regarded as a blood tonic, promoting its production and circulation, and is therefore used in treating anemia, boils, headache, venous problems, low immunity and problems of peripheral blood flow. Dong Quai also helps to nourish dry, thin vaginal tissues, and women who are going off birth control pills can use it to help re-establish regular menstrual cycles. Dong Quai is also thought to increase the absorption of oxygen by the liver and purify the blood, therefore nourishing the brain, heart and spleen. Other reported uses for Dong Quai include boosting metabolism, reducing cholesterol, improving digestion and relieving pain caused by arthritis. Dong Quai is said to help stabilize blood sugar levels and support calmer moods. Dong Quai has been found to have activity in in-vitro studies against strep, shigella and dysentery. It is also thought to accelerate the healing of wounds and stimulate white blood cell production.

Hi Linda, it is quite possible you don't have candida.

Certainly sugars from natural healthy foods are not only obviously healthier, but they will sustain you. There are no false lifts. Even having dates, honey too, (plus the fruit). I used to thrive on them....though I had to be somewhat careful with too much of the dried fruit if I recall.

Whereas the other sugar tends to give a temporary lift, but doesn't last as long, plus suppresses immunity. Of course it feeds yeast more than anything else, but if you really don't have candida issues, it may not do that with you. Again though it does many other bad things and hinders absorption of minerals and all sorts of bad stuff.

If you do opt for the natural sugar healthy foods, let me know what the response is. I'll tell you what i used to do. I used to have a teaspoon of manuka honey in every cup of tea I had (which had milk added then). I'd stir it in and then put cinnamon in also. It is very good!!!! I am sure I noticed improvements then too.

I was mercury toxic, and my candida issues just were not what they are today. I only had to eliminate the obvious bad stuff as I mentioned (sugar/wheat/gluten/yeast). But was very lucky to have freedom to eat any other healthy foods all day long with no real ill effects.

Bananas are great too. I also used to have cereal with dry fruit mixed in and milk.

Those were the days !!! I wish I could be the same way now, but my internal infections are the main problem I think.

Oh and don't forget dark chocolate!!! Contains plenty of antioxidants and flavanoids if I'm not mistaken. Admittedly it's a bit more bitter than milkier chocolate, but healthier. My father eats it everyday (he's 76).

These things are a much healthier option than the alternative.

Hello everybody:

I think SomedaySoon is correct about this being adrenal in nature. When I was really sick, sugar would set me in panic attack mode, something I never knew existed. And I seem to find myself sometimes waking at 2-3 am, despite the 3 mg melatonin. Time and again my research points at adrenals. Would like to know if anyone has actually healed their adrenals, what they did, and how long it took. I have read and follow much of the advice I have seen including the above, which is very good, but I am going to buy a couple more books soon.

As of now, I pretty much avoid sugar, but no one can escape it entirely. I just figure I will consume about 5-10% of what an average american does a year, which is like over a 100 lbs.

Now, with the mercury out, I sometimes feel like sugar can help me feel better, but it is better as Bex said to have natural sugars. And, I noticed if I make a fruit smoothie by tossing it all in a blender, you don't go bonkers from the sugar as the fiber is there too. But I am really consuming it to get the healing power of the fruits and vegetables. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

TW

Hey tumbleweed,

If you haven't already read it, you might find Dr. Wilson's book helpful .... "Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome."

Sharon
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/reading.gif" alt="" />

Thanks SomedaySoon! Sunshine brought that one up, and I have it marked on Amazon. Looking forward to reading that one - Sunshine says it is better than "From Fatigued to Fantastic", which I have.

TW

Thanks for all of that info in your long post Someday Soon,
that's me at the moment definitely adrenally fatigued.
Looking out for that book.

Tumbleweed, having read both books, I'd have to agree and say that the book by Dr. Wilson was more helpful for me in my situation. Although I'd been diagnosed with CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome) there was a root cause and I didn't consider the CFIDS a diagnosis for myself -- merely a description of some of the symptoms I was presenting with.

Sunflower, glad the info helped!

Sharon

Hey SomedaySoon:

Cool - I will get book soon. My question to anyone out there is "Did you have an adrenal problem, and did it go away by chelating the mercury out?!" And how did it feel, did it just gradually get better, and you felt less strained? (That's the way it seems to be for me. Slowly I seem to be able to handle stress better, but per my other posts, I have been off chelation, and going natural for 5 months or so.)

So is your fatigue all the time, SomedaySoon? Mine shows most after not sleeping proper, getting up early, and having a long day. Some would say that is natural, but not when you almost 100% need a nap at lunch to cope everyday, which I never needed for the first 18 years of working where I do.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

TW

TW, I'm sorry to say that my fatigue is all the time. About 70% of the time I would describe it as exhaustion. But I'm hopeful that it will improve as I put out the fires that are burning in my body (i.e., toxicities, infections). Like so many others here, I've been sick a long time, so my body is kinda weakened.

Sharon

I hope that you defeat this Lyme stuff, SomedaySoon, and that turns it around for you. Please let us know how that goes! And how all the other things you are doing go too.... It sure seems you have done a lot of in-depth research....And this Lyme business troubles me, because it matches a lot with mercury symptoms too.

TW

Wow, thanks guys for all the posts. It's been fascinating reading. I can't keep up as much I'd like in the week because I'm busy with work in the daytime, and in the evenings I'm so sleepy at the moment that it's all I can do to keep from nodding off before 8 pm. Kind of curtails things. I'm just waiting for supplements to come in the post, and my appointment for acupuncture and Chinese herbs is Friday. Wish me luck x

Good Luck LindaLou:

I imagine you're waiting on pins and needles. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'd like to hear how acupuncture works for you.

TW

Linda hows the armour working for you?

I received it yesterday and so far its lowered my anxiety by a lot.

I seem to have more oral thrush with it, but I am feeling a lot better

Thanks for finding that site

I'm really glad it's been helping you, that's terrific news <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm haven't been too lucky myself . . . not yet, at least. I took 2 quarter-grain doses the day after my Armour arrived, and the next day I was tearful and wishing I was dead. This may be due to other factors as well, such as my ongoing battle with sugar, and it may also mean my adrenals couldn't cope, but I thought it wise to take no further risks and wait until I've seen Dr. Peatfield before I touch any Armour again.

I've tried acupuncture.acupressure.Chinese herbs and various sessions of reiki and meditation. Not much help. I was at least able to get a blood test for T3 and T4 thyroid just before I tried the Armour, and those results should be in next week. I've also sent away to a UK lab for some saliva testing kit; I've been hoping to get my female hormones and cortisol tested before I see Dr. Peatfield. Could be running out of time for that now.

At the moment I can't go more than a couple of days without sugar or I feel terrible. This has happened every winter since I got ill. In the summer I don't feel the need to touch it. I'm really frustrated and fed up to be honest, but this is a good place to be for support and I know I'm not alone with my searching, so if others here keep plugging away so will I. I just wish it felt like the chelation was making a difference. I am doing it non-stop but never feel any better. It's been 7 months.

Anyway, I guess that's enough self-pity for one day. It cheers me up to hear about someone who is doing well, thanks for letting me know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Next on the list of things to try: progesterone cream. I have many of the symptoms of low progesterone/"unopposed estrogen." Did you know that this condition can mimick hypothyroidism because it can interfere with the thyroid function? The systems of the body are so intricately interconnected.

I think I could be onto something here. Full of hope again. Though if I do have this condition, and it has been caused by mercury, I have to wonder why 7 months of hard chelation haven't put it right yet.

Hi LindaLou:

Yes, I experienced strain when going on Armour, and I think you are correct about adrenals being cause. Adrenals are to be supported first. I am sure Peatfield will have great answers based on what Sunshine wrote. There are some great articles and books on supporting adrenals you probably already know of.

But just my 2 cents worth, I found it best to start very low dosage, and ramp up very slowly over weeks.

Hypothryoidism is much more common in women, I understand, so maybe you really have it. However, if mercury is your problem, then it really is the T-4 to T-3 conversion in the liver that you hope will be fixed by chelating. I think this was the case for me, and so I got off the Armour, and my thyoid scores are normal - even T-3 is good.

If your adrenals are supported, you should feel good on Armour. Hope Peatfield helps you fix this, and please let us know how he handles your situation.

Thanks,

TW

Linda

in my experience the 'wanting to be dead' is definitely weak adrenals, and I think you were right to stop the Armour and wait for your Peatfield appointment. It seems to me that withdrawal from benzos or SSRIs hits the adrenals directly - this is certainly my experience.

Hate to say it, but if you have weak adrenals you may not get on so well with progesterone. I can't recall how it works exactly, but progesterone opposes cortisol, and can make adrenal symptoms worse. The worst time I have had during this illness was when I used progesterone to balance out female hormones. My adrenals, heavily supported as they are, simply could not cope, and I had two horrendous nights of total insomnia, hypoglycemia, clear urine, heart pounding, and extreme shakiness before I worked out what was going on. I will never, ever use progesterone again.

I am an extreme case in terms of adrenal fatigue, and I'm not saying this will happen to you. But just be aware, and go carefully.

Good luck
Nicola

Yow. I thought maybe the pieces were starting to come together. Low progesterone can itself cause adrenal problems, and it can also cause thyroid problems. There have been symptom indicators all along for me that my female hormones are not in balance. This sounded like it might be just what I need. However, because of the time the cream will take to arrive and then having to wait untuil the middle of my cycle to use it, I've been trying to get some kind of cream from a local shop just to tide me over for a week or so. If it prevents me from having yet another heavy period (not nice when you have to sit in a classroom and can't nip out to the loo), I'll be very grateful. Progesterone prevents the uterine lining from becoming too thick.

I did a search here and I noticed that Sunflower has had many good things to say about progesterone. Thanks for sharing your own experience Nicola; if the same thing happens to me then I'll know not to panic at least.

I've been experimenting a little with this glandular I've been on for about a week. I take one pill first thing in the morning and have been getting on OK but it's a very mild effect -- mainly seems to get rid of some of the evening drowsiness. I tried taking a second one with lunch and was very irritable all afternoon. Scratched that and tried taking two instead of one in the morning. I haven't had any bad reactions so I'll see if it helps even more with dispelling the drowsiness tonight. I'm not sure what else I can do short of getting something on prescription, and various at-home tests like the pupil dilation one have been negative.

Interestingly, I could be back to the electrical sensitivity thing again too. I keep a fan on next to my bed all night every night because it is soothing. I turned it off last night because it was making some irritating noises, as it does from time to time, and I woke up noticeably refreshed this morning. It's quite possible that the fan was exerting a strong EMF, especially with it being near my head, so I'm going to leave it off and see if it helps.

Don't you just wish there was a magic bullet sometimes. I feel like I'm trying to put a whole mosaic together from a bag of very small pieces. I was never very patient with puzzles.

Tumbleweed, you're unfortunately right about the mercury and lyme. I got the chills going through me when I saw that people use the same things like we to kill something (e.g. grapefruit seed extract, perhaps ALA too). Even the anti-candida diet. Crap!