I had ordered some hormone saliva tests to see where I'm at and if htere is anything to indicate why I have so many hypothryoid problems at menopause. They tested estradiol, progesterone, testoserone, dhea, and cortisol. All of the results are within normal limits, however the cortisol is quite low. They had 2 specimens 8AM..range was 1.3-10.73; mine was 1.86
4PM ....range 0.3-5.0; mine was 0.37.
I wonder if this means that some adrenal insufficiency or hypothalmic- pituitary problem could be contributing to my extreme fatigue, brain fog and what feels like a new learning disability. When I posted my thryroid results, Meep felt they were essentially normal. Just wondering if, in my case I could use some adrenal support. Any thoughts about this saliva test? I will check back later, the fatigue is very heavy at this moment and I need to rest. Thanks for your help.
Have you seen an endocrinologist or did you have an independent lab do the tests? If some of your results are out of normal range and you are feeling unwell, I would now follow up by seeing an endo.
Hi P,
Thanks for your response. Many docs were seen over the past year: endo, internist, neuro, GYN, etc. These tests were being done primarily to assess my needs for menopause support. I am interested in learning what the cortisol level means. Good to hear from you!
Meep do you have any thoughts at this point?
Sunny
Cortisol levels that are rock bottom in the range indicate a likely problem. Since they are not below range, you wouldn't be diagnosed as having Addison's Disease (adrenal gland failure) but you DO have Adrenal fatigue, by my estimation
With Cortisol levels that low, your ability to deal with daily stresses, physical and mental, including dealing with the stresses caused by hypothyroidism, is GREATLY copmpromised.
Whether or not you get help from your docotr on this, the book, Adrenal Fatigue: 21st Century Stress Syndrome, would be worth reading. It takes a nutritional and lifestyle approach that will help with your hypo symptoms as well as helping your adreanl fatigue.
__________________
Danny
I am not a doctor, nor have I ever played one on TV...
Dear Meep,
Thanks for your response. I am eager to get my hands on a copy of the Adrenal Fatigue Book. I previewed it on line at Amazon and it looks very informative. I've called our local library and requested it.
I just started seeing this new GYN and I LIKE the fact that he works with a natural-type pharmacy and he orders natural bioidentical HRT, if its necessary. I had a trial dose of Armour from my endo and it gave me such heart pounding, even when I cut the dose in half. ( maybe that was because of my weak adrenals) This GYN said that if I require thryoid replacemnt we can also do that with natural compounded agents, matched specifically to my personal needs.
Thanks so much for your feedback and support. I will let you know how things progress.
Wellness wishes to you, Meep, and to everyone,
Sunny
I spoke to my doctor yesterday and he seems to think the saliva tests are basically normal, even the cortisol. What he plans to do is order a low dose of natrually compounded estriol and estradiol ( Biest) from a pharmacy, along with a low dose of compounded progesterone to enhance my obvious new menopause state. Then, depending on how I respond to that, he will work with the pharmacist and my symptoms to add other supports as necessary. I hope I can at least begin to see some improvement in some of my symptoms, so that I see a light at the end of this tunnel.
Thanks for your supportive sharing.
Sunny
Test results on saliva 
