Well, after much distress waiting for my alternative Dr. to call me back regarding my post menopausal saliva results....finally she calls me......

After consulting with the lab and a senior Dr. in her practice (actually the head honcho!)...they all came to SAME conclusion (seperately) that the reason why my lab results show high levels of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone (plus I have high Apoliprotein levels) is that my adrenals are probably pushing too much of these hormones out and my cortisol levels are too high.

So.....I have to do another adrenal stress test (I did one about 15 months ago and my cortisol was too high then) to confirm this and then I guess she will treat me accordingly, which she said will probably be 5-HTP or a pineal gland supplement....depending on the results.

Now, I know that my levels are probably high because my stress levels have been terrible since my husband has begun a very intensive 5 month class (7 days a week, and more than 14 hours a day gone!) and a strong possibility that he will go back to Iraq in September for a whole YEAR! (which is obviously playing on my mind, on how I will cope for so long)......I told her I do limit my stress as much as I possibly can, and I have begun going to a meditation class, but I cannot control my husband's job! (plus my husband is the least romantic, caring person I know and does not know how to make me feel happier....and YES, we talk about that A LOT).

Well, at least she told me I can re-start taking my herbal supplements - which has kept my night hot spells away - so I am relieved about that.

I do believe though that my test will be much improved from 15 months ago, as I was almost a complete mess then!

One thing she did say that worries me somewhat though, is that if I don't get my cortisol level down (which will also bring the hormones and apoliprotein down) that I could develop heart problems!!!!

Nice stress reliever then.....!

I have decided I need to rise above all these stresses (well, of course I do...if I have the strength!)...and conquer them in some way.

I'll let you all know the outcome.

Caz

Caz, don't put the cart before the horse. You are taking steps to address the situation and that is a big positive. Good luck to you.

I'm also suffering from adrenal fatigue and am actually feeling better since supplementing with the herbal adrenal stuff. I'm also taking Inositol, which is really making a positive impact on my anxiety. I never would have believed it possible. (And I'm still going through the most stressful situations imaginable.)

thanks for the 'lift' Bookie...I guess I am trying to understand the adrenals...is it that if people are 'hypo'(adrenia) their levels of cortisol are low and if people are 'hyper'(adrenia) their levels are too high?

Caz,

The apoprotein is a marker for inflammation, has to do with blood clotting, etc. Anyway, I have high levels of this as well and it does predispose us to a higher rate of heart attacks, etc. I am on all kinds of supplements to try and address this. Do you have high cholesterol, etc.? Also, I have read that high apoprotein is genetic and there is little that can be done however, it is usually a problem with a person has a Vitamin C deficiency. One of the ti=hings my naturopath has me taking is 2,000 to 3,000 mg of Vitamin C.

I'd be intersting in finding out what you are taking in the way of supplements, PM me when you get a chance or maybe we can compare notes. I too had high cortisol levels at the onset of peri which was around 47; I am now 51.

Plumeria

Hi,

I'm glad to see you are starting to recover from adrenal fatigue. I'm in exteme adrenal fatigue right now, to the point that it's debilitating. I had an HVR (Heart Rate Variability) test done, as well as saliva.

Here's a really good article on adrenal fatigue...

http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp?page=1#5

and their is a good protocol for what you need to do, although it ALWAYS SUGGESTS you get tested first, it's on page 3 (scroll down 1/2 page) here...

http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp?page=3#13

Thier's alot of really good information on that site, so when you get the time read through it all. You'll gain a better understanding of the adrenal/coritsol thing.

~Hugs

Caz,
Studies show that saliva tests are not consistently reliable for sex hormones, and I've found that to be true for me, as have many other women on other hormone groups I'm on.

Have you considered getting blood tests to be sure your levels are truly elevated?

A well-known supplement that docs recommend for high cortisol is phosphatidyl serine or phosphorylated serine. Works great for evening out cortisol peaks. Also, I have a study showing zinc definitely lowers cortisol.

I'm steadily working on lowering my stress -cortisol levels...

Recently, my doctor increased my Vitamin C intake to 1,000 a day....( I feel strangely calmer already)

I'm meditating 10 minutes twice daily, (all I can manage right now), back to Yoga, plus acupuncture weekly, all in pursuit of nirvana.

Okay, I'll settle for peace of mind and good sleep 3 nights a week...

That's interesting Caz... I've been trying to figure out why my hormones were all high in the luteal phase of my cycle, but not in the follicular phase. I took my adrenal test in the luteal phase and my adrenals were out of wack then as well! I wondered if the adrenals were creating all of the chaos and higher ovarian hormones and your post just helped me out a lot! So I guess they are saying get the adrenals under control and the higher hormone levels will decrease? I've been following the adrenal protocol (high vitamin c, b, e, etc) instead of the hydrocortisone and I noticed that the surges are much better this time around in the luteal phase. However, the closer I get to my period the higher my hormone levels become so I won't know for sure until after this week! I'm taking PHOSPHATIDYL SERINE (PS) for the surges and to help me sleep in that phase of my cycle. It sounds like it is similiar to 5HTP.

You're blessed to have doctors that are trying to figure this all out for you!


Best Wishes,

TJ

I have noted all the advice here, but I guess I better wait to do another adrenal test before I start anything out of the ordinary....and see what my Dr. says.

La*La....I also meditate each day for 20 minutes or so and have just begun going for acupuncture treatments...this week will be my third.

yesterday and last night was SO BIZARRE.......I felt relieved that my Dr. finally called and let me know what she had found out, and felt strangely calm and energetic...I went for a 30 minute run and had oodles of energy, and also felt quite positive...BUT...........................................

I tried to go asleep - after reading a little - and could not feel even a little bit sleepy.....then I felt the cortisol swirling around in my body and mind, and I didn't get ANY sleep AT ALL!!!

It was as though my mind was forcing the issue with the cortisol and wanted me to feel it!....I feel terrible today and disheartened...WHY did this happen???

Anyway....Plumeria, I have PM'd you.

Caz

Those cortisol surges **** quite frankly Caz...I know when I'm going through it I feel like I'm going to lose it from not sleeping! Yes, I agree, talk with your doctor. I'm just confused about the high level of hormones and how adding more of those natural hormones on top of that are going to help, albeit with the hot flashes. Can someone help me out with understanding this one?


Best Wishes,

TJ

TJ....
I'm glad I'm not alone with those **** cortisol surges!.....Its just so wierd that I have not had them in quite a while, and then when they are mentioned as being quite a possible sign of my high hormone levels, they shoot out!!!...I feel like I took a crazy drug of somekind!

I'm so MAD today!

C

OK, so I was MAD yesterday and now I'm sick!!!...woke up this morning...or should I say 'got up' after a tumultuous night after not being able to breathe out my nose and my throat tickly and sore all night!......

so, here I go again, obviously my immune system is shot and can't cope with any amount of stress...great, just bloody great!

GRRRRRRR!

Caz,

I responded to your first PM regarding the apoliprotein, did you get it? I tried to send you another PM but an error message said it could not go through because your message box was full.

Thinking of you.

Plumeria

Caz,

I forgot to mention that earlier on my blood test also showed high levels of cortisol at night and my naturopath prescribed Seriphos by Indoplexus ... it contains phosphatidyl serine (PS) mentioned by the other ladies here.

Plumeria

Thanks Plumeria...I'm not sure why my inbox is full?!

do you have your adrenal results to post - or PM me with?...it is helpful to see someone else with a similar problem, don't you think?

I have been re-reading the book 'Adrenal Fatigue, The 21st Century Stress Syndrome' and to be honest it is full of so much information about what you should and shouldn't do and eat that I am overwhelmed with it all.....I feel like I have spent thousands of $'s on supplements/tests/Dr visits etc., and just want to give up....but then again, I am on a quest to finally get my 'problems' under control!......I just don't want to worry about my health anymore, but it seems I just can't help myself!!!

...and I'm feeling so ill today too.

Yes, Caz, I'm trying to read that book as well...full of information but apparently the protocol that I use seems to be helping...

Plumeria, that PS works very well for me and helps me sleep... I didn't know Seriphos contained it as well. What are the other ingredients?


Best Wishes,

TJ

Actually, Seriphos is phosphorylated serine, a different form than phosphatidyl serine. You might have to experiment, since some people do better on one than the other. The Seriphos is cheaper, though.

Thanks Sariah,

Didn't know that Seriphos was phosphorylated serine... When doing my research those were the two herbs listed to help with adrenal support and so I went with the other one...interesting, especially if it is cheaper!


Best Wishes,

TJ