Click here to listen to a reading of this blog: |
Read the last blog in this series.
I suspected back in January that I had adrenal fatigue (fatigue and many other symptoms caused by dysfunctioning adrenals) when my switch from Levo to NDT wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped and my Free T3 was pooling in my blood (blood tests showed a high T3 even though I had an OK TSH and Free T4, which is a key sign of adrenal issues). So, after my endocrinologist refused to test them, saying that he could tell by looking at me that they were fine, I tested them privately through Genova Diagnostics.
When I got the results back, they showed that I had elevated cortisol, so adrenal fatigue, all day. Following this, I attempted to lower the high cortisol using Holy Basil, then Seriphos, and other lifestyle changes such as good sleep, going to bed by 10pm, vitamin supplements etc. basically things that promote good adrenal health.
I came off the Seriphos two and a half weeks ago, and feel pretty good, so I’m now retesting my adrenal function, to actually see how it’s doing. I’ve just ordered the test and I’m going to explain below how I’ve done so, so that others can do the same thing if they’re looking to check their adrenals.
As a reminder, this is the Seriphos – Seriphos, Phosphorylated Serine, 100 Capsules – InterPlexus Inc
I ordered my test from Genova online, which stated:
“This saliva test can detect imbalances in the daily circadian secretions of the stress hormones cortisol and DHEA. Imbalances in these hormones can indicate an inappropriate response that can negatively impact energy levels, emotions, and many other health complaints. These include anxiety, chronic inflammatory conditions, allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, depression, migraines, headaches, recurrent infections, menstrual difficulties and infertility.”
It should state that it’s measuring DHEA and cortisol, taking 4 saliva samples (5ml) collected at specific times over a 24-hour period (frozen). Make sure this is what you’re ordering! It’s important that it’s testing those two things and takes 4 saliva samples.
I then proceeded to check-out and then filling in my address and payment details. Done! The test will come within the next week or so.
The test comes with everything you need, including instructions on how to complete it and how to send it back to them, so make sure to read this carefully.
Read the next blog in this series.
You can click on the hyperlinks in the above post to learn more and see references to information given.
Written by Rachel, The Invisible Hypothyroidism
Newsletter
Sign up to The Invisible Hypothyroidism's newsletter
You'll get an easy to digest, relevant round up of thyroid news, advice and support to get you feeling better, once every two weeks.
Don’t stay feeling rubbish. Get better.
Social
Get real, helpful advice directly from another thyroid patient. Me!
Give my Facebook page a like, follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest.
Community
Join My Facebook Support Group for patients
Join My Facebook Support Group for patients Thyroid Family: Hypothyroidism Advice & Support Group
Rachel Hill is the highly ranked and award-winning thyroid patient advocate, writer, blogger, speaker and author behind The Invisible Hypothyroidism. Her thyroid advocacy work includes blogging, writing books, speaking on podcasts, being interviewed, writing for various websites and co-creating Thoughtful Thyroid courses. Rachel has worked with The National Academy of Hypothyroidism, BBC, The Mighty, Yahoo, MSN, ThyroidChange and more. She is well-recognised as a useful contributor to the thyroid community and is currently writing her second book You, Me and Hypothyroidism. She has received eight 2019 WEGO Health Award Nominations.
The results of these studies justify the recommendation to improve the general vitamin D status in children and adults by means of a healthy approach to sunlight exposure, consumption of foods containing vitamin D and supplementation with vitamin D preparations.