Thread: Adrenal Fatigue/Hypothyroidism testing!

G'day guys.

I'd like to burrow your expertise in the matter.

As of lately, I've begun to suspect that I might have either of of the above mentioned conditions.

Symptoms include:

* Consistently tired.
* Never have mental calrity. Always feel 'foggy'.
* As of lately I've been having a hard time recalling lots of trivial information (not to talk about study-related material).
* I always feel unusually cold and the need to wear a jumper in hot whether.
* I've been consistently having a very hard time losing weight whether I follow a sensible diet with mild calorie reduction, or a radical diet that's supposed to get rid of my muscle as well, either way, I don't seem to be able to lose any weight whatsoever.
* I have acne.
* Constipation problems (including hemorrhage surgery) since I can remember.
* Never seem to pass the Zinc-taste test.
* Hair seems try and tangled.
* Ive been diagnosed with considerably low testosterone levels before (which magically returned to 'normal' after a while).
* Consistently relatively high blood pressure

I've been having random symptoms here and there for a long time and I always had a feeling that there might be a central underlying cause. After coming across adrenal fatigue/hypothyroidism, my symptoms seem to comprise a classical example.

I've been trying to take care of my health for a long time, but most doctors don't seem to care about you unless you are dangerously ill. I realised that I got to take my health into my own hands and do the appropriate research If I want to feel good for once.

Right, sorry about all the writing. My question is - what are some important tests should I be doing to try and diagnose my problem? I know that adrenal fatigue on its own isn't even considered a medical syndrome. Also, I am going to see a new GP as there is no chance in hell that my current will agree for this type of 'exotic' testing. Any tips on how to get the GP to actually prescribe these tests?

Thank you very much for your time guys.

When was the last time you had a comprehensive body chemistry check?

I don't think I've ever had one mate to be honest.

Originally Posted by Jas0n

I don't think I've ever had one mate to be honest.

Then if I was you, that's what I'd be doing.

You have described a raft of symptoms that could be from one cause, or several. Until you take a "big picture" look at what your chemistry is doing, you may, as happened to me, get treated for one problem, even though the other symptoms are from other causes.

Thanks for that mate.

So what exactly do I ask for. A full chemistry check? Is it likely that the GP will let me do it?

Originally Posted by Jas0n

Thanks for that mate.

So what exactly do I ask for. A full chemistry check? Is it likely that the GP will let me do it?

Doesn't have any official name, per se....

But you'd want:
Full hormone assay: testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, T3/T4, SHBG, RT3 (reverse T3)
Liver function
Kidney function
Full blood count
Iron studies
Lipids
Vitamin D
Inflammation markers like c-reactive protein or homocysteine

and then illness-specific tests, if the doc thinks that their may be a major underlying problem.

Much appreciated mate. See how it goes tomorrow. I hope she won't just try to get rid of me under the pretense of me being too 'young'.

Thank again.

Originally Posted by Jas0n

Much appreciated mate. See how it goes tomorrow. I hope she won't just try to get rid of me under the pretense of me being too 'young'.

Thank again.

There's every chance she will. Just insist. Basically, you are simply asking for a comprehensive testing protocol, rather than the way they normally do it, which is often next to useless.

and fwiw get a glucose tolerance test done too.

Good luck.

Jas0n, most likely your doc will throw you off those tests.. There fuckers.

I highly 100% recommend tulsi tea, get some from woolworths, its an indian adaptogen. Fadi put me onto it with similar symptoms as yours and in a week or so, I had never felt better.
Go to doc still, but try it out. You will be suprised

Fadi... the guy's a miracle worker.

Cheers Jaiman.

Jason hi mate how did you go with the test ? I'm suffering the same thing it sucks i'm only just about the be tested this week... Do you have to take medication and how does it interact with supps ? Cheers Sean

Originally Posted by Jaiman

Jas0n, most likely your doc will throw you off those tests.. There fuckers.

We're not all bad! As a doctor myself, I would reccomend going along, and just saying exactly what you have here; discuss your signs and symptoms, as they are more than enough of a clinical indication to order many tests. A lot of the things you have described, are great immitators, and can indicate many possible disease states. No repsonsible/good doctor will refuse and blood test that you ask for. If he/she genuinely believes that you do not need it, you can still request it, but you may have to pay for it. Tests that you're deemed to 'need' will often be bulk billed, but some things, you may have to cover the fee. I would advise you away from bullshitting (not that I think you would), most doc's will much prefer you to be straight up - even say that you're worried you may have hypothyroidism, or adrenal fatigue. I ask every patient I see 'is there anything you're worried this may be?'.

All the best,

I have Hypothyroidism, some say it may have been caused by a pretty bad bout of glandular fever some years ago. I have good days and bad but No real change to life style or anything like that! But if I forget the medication I start to feel like shit! It’s pretty easy to manage just 3 pills a day that’s it! It can have some impact on weight loss and energy but with a good clean diet and exercise, along with my meds, things seem to be going well…..

Originally Posted by Bruce

We're not all bad! As a doctor myself, I would reccomend going along, and just saying exactly what you have here; discuss your signs and symptoms, as they are more than enough of a clinical indication to order many tests. A lot of the things you have described, are great immitators, and can indicate many possible disease states. No repsonsible/good doctor will refuse and blood test that you ask for. If he/she genuinely believes that you do not need it, you can still request it, but you may have to pay for it. Tests that you're deemed to 'need' will often be bulk billed, but some things, you may have to cover the fee. I would advise you away from bullshitting (not that I think you would), most doc's will much prefer you to be straight up - even say that you're worried you may have hypothyroidism, or adrenal fatigue. I ask every patient I see 'is there anything you're worried this may be?'.

All the best,

How full is the Inbox now Bruce? :)

Too many doctors are too arrogant to accept that their patient may actually know what they need to be tested for, or worse, that the patient may have some real knowledge about their own health and wellbeing which may confront some doctors who've failed to keep up to date, or who simply were asleep during that lecture.

FFS, I have Haemochromatosis and recently a GP asked me what the treatment is??? WTF?

.... no offence Bruce, I can see you are not in that camp.

Originally Posted by take2

FFS, I have Haemochromatosis and recently a GP asked me what the treatment is??? WTF?

.... no offence Bruce, I can see you are not in that camp.

That's a great point mate, there's some shockers around, hence the 'no good doctor' part :)

Another piece of advice I would give, is to try and find a doc that has an interest in fitness too, as they will often be a LOT more in-tune. As an example, if I see a 100kg, lean, fit athlete, am I going to worry about a slighty elevated creatinine? Absolutely not, but some can't seem to see past the numbers. Find someone that looks at you 'holistically' (buzz word), and takes everyhting into consideration. A lot of my colleagues will tell you to limit your protein intake to 80 grams a day too.... no thanks!

Anyway, I'll leave it here before the thread gets off topic :)