Tracy, This is my understanding: Steroid medications work by mimicing the natural hormones in your body but come with a host of nasty side effects! Particularly to sensitive people like us. Natural hormones are now available (natural as in identical to the hormones in your body not herbal) and these are far safer to use because they are the same as your own hormones your body doesn't react badly to them ie eliminating the nasty side effects. You can now get saliva tests done to access your hormonal state to see what you are low on if any or alternatively a lot of people find using natural progesterone cream is enough particularly if it is a thyroid issue. Apparently your body does have the ability to convert some hormones into what is needed. You can buy it OTC in USA but in NZ we need a Dr's script not sure about where you live. I would have to say for symptom relief Natural Progesterone has helped me more than any other thing. I've used it now for 8 years. As you probably already know one of the things mercury does to you is stuff up your hormones and natural progesterone helps to balance them. It is also known as the happy hormone as it helps you to feel better about your situation. Hope this helps some, Jid.