ok thanks everyone for the kind replies and support.
Plum - I agree the NHS is really difficult to fight. And I just don't have the energy right this minute. My Clinician has recommend Adrenal Cortex supplements. Could then this damage me further? I don't know what to do now.
Can adrenals get better without support? Just with rest and good diet etc and general looking after yourselves?
I haven't had any previous tests on hormones except thyroid. I did however supplement on melatonin throughout the summer and that helped me sleep a bit, felt better over this time, then after 6 weeks went downhill again.
I also take the contraceptive pill and have done for years...could this be contributing? Also my thyroid is edging on overactive but always has been
Please see the diagram I've attached.
You need porgesterone to make cortisol. I personally would not take anything like the pill with adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue means your body is low on minerals and vitamins etc. The pill actually uses up vitamin and mineral reserves. It's also halting your natural production of female hormones. And if you look at the diagram you need your progesterone to make cortisol.
I have seen many people benefit from taking supplements for adrenal fatigue. AND many who haven't. I'm sorry there's no easy answer. I think for me the big question is do you have adrenal fatigue? Or do you have ME?
Because the endocrine dysfunction is so much greater with ME I think most people with ME AND adrenal fatigue would say that they still have adrenal fatigue. From those I've spoken to, if you've been fatigued for a few months, did the cortisol test and had the results you had, then MAYBE you can improve with supplements. But this is just my experience.
IF you want to supplement look into 'true food' supplements.
Be careful of these adrenal designed supplements. Why? They contain lots of different things and if you react negatively you won't know what it is you're reacting negatively to.
1st steps: sort your diet out. Get tested for any food allergies. Genova does good testing. Some do well on Paleo. It's up to you. Get a book called
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Metabolic-T...5491840&sr=8-1&keywords=metabolic+typing+diet
This has a self test in it. Paleo tends to be too low carb in my opinion and with thyroid issues this is not always good. Trial and error will tell you how much carb your body needs. Think seriously about giving up gluten and dairy.
Look into gut issues. Again Genova does testing. Leaky gut is common for a fair few of us. IF you have gut issues I would stay focused on diet and food allergies rather than supplementation.
I would say that while you're on the pill and endo won't be able to test your LH/FSH or progesterone to give you helpful advice. I know the pill feels beneficial for a lot of us so it's a hard decision. Please research this. Look into people like Chris Kresser, Dr. Lauren Noel, Dr. Lam
www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp for more info on this and of course google it. Something like pill nutrient deficiencies
Get a hold of
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Adrenal-Fat...id=1385492153&sr=8-1&keywords=adrenal+fatigue
I do not agree with his supplement mixes but his info and advice is a good starting point. Unfortunately with the state of the NHS you need to do a lot of learning yourself. It took me 1 year to learn enough about adrenal fatigue.
I personally would sort diet out. Take good quality salt - celtic sea salt, something natural or organic and unrefined. Then get gut issues treated - you'll need a nutritional therapist type person to help you with that. But again I wouldn't do whatever they say - use them to educate yourself and then research whatever they say to see if you agree with it. It's your body and your healing journey. Nobody knows you like you do!
If and when you start supplements I would take 1 at a time for a few days to see if you have any strange symptoms with them.
Good Luck