I have hashi's and secondary adrenal insuffeciency. I've been trying for over a year now to find the right armour dose (plus 2 years before that when my adrenal insuff. wasn't Dx). Every time I 'crash' I assume it's my thyroid and I take more meds. I'm slowly starting to realize it's my adrenals that are crashing and I need more HC. The other day I was crashing so I doubled my HC for 3 days...no help. Then I lowered my armour - which caused a thryoid crash on top of my adrenal.

Right now - I'm extremely messed up. How high can I or should I stress dose with my HC. I'm so worried about taking too much.

Also, I don't know why I have secondary andrenal insuffeciency - doc don't know or don't seem too concerned to know why. I have had 1 MRI - it was OK. Should I push and be concerned with knowing why.

I often crave sugar or alcohol - is this my adrenals screaming at me for help?

Robin: You need to educate yourself about stress dosing. There are a lot of good web sites online that deal with this information. Normally, you only increase your cortisone if you are ill or in times of great stress. I wouldn't monkey around with your hormones so much on your own, without a doctor's guidance.
As for where the adrenal insufficiency came from, they probably don't know. I also have secondary Addison's, had an MRI (came out fine) and they are calling the cause "autoimmune," which means they don't have a clue. A lot of things can contribute to it, but understanding the treatment is more important than understanding the cause. Try to get as much information as you can, and check with your doctor before adjusting hormone levels.

Checking with docs...lol. That's not so easy for me. They kept me on thyroid hormones for 2.5 years without checking my adrenals - it was pure hell. However, taking HC has only imporved my ability to tolerate armour a little.

What about my strong cravings for sugar and alcohol. Any idea where this is coming from?

Robin,

Are you taking Florinef?

Wanda

No, I've tried it but it didn't do anything. Beside I have secondary so it's not ususal to need the stuff.

I'm just crashing really bad and I can't figure out why. I'm also taking tons of vitamin c...not helping either.

Some have suggested I try pred. but that seems extreme to me. Under what circumstances do others use pred. I don't have addison's. Although taking even the smallest dose of thyroid hormone caused a adverse reaction I don't think my adrenals are extremely bad, or more percisely, ACTH. However, HC has only helped a little.

Do others with adrenals issues have to raise their armour slower than normal?