Hi Linda,

I'm glad you're getting some answers. Putting the pieces of the health puzzle together is no small feat.

Like so many others here, I'm in your position as well. I know I've shared this with you on a previous thread but, I also have end-stage adrenal failure.

I just wanted to chime in here and say that I think it's an excellent idea to have a complete female hormone panel done. I'm glad I had it done in addition to having my adrenal gland function tested for cortisol and DHEA.

My results were high estrogen, low progesterone, next to nil cortisol, extremely low DHEA. The doctors have prescribed Cortef (i.e., Cortisol) in physiological doses, DHEA, progesterone cream, and pregnenolone.

The adrenal glands will take from the master hormone Pregnenolone what they need in order to produce hormones, including Cortisol. Then they take available progesterone to accomplish their jobs. So, frequently women with Adrenal Exhaustion will also have low Pregnenolone, DHEA and Progesterone.

I'm also taking herbs and extra B vitamins (B6, B5, B12). These B vitamins are in addition to a complete B Complex vitamin I take along with a multi-vitamin. I'm on alot of herbs and supplements right now after testing deficient in many vitamins from being ill so long.

I'm also getting weekly I.V. Vitamin Infusions of high dose Vitamin C and they add B5, B6, B12 and Glutathione to that. This is to help my crappy immune system.

I just thought I'd share my experience for what it's worth. All of us here know that mercury and other heavy metals can stress and deplete the endocrine system -- particularly the adrenal glands. In addition, as you've mentioned, life stressors play a huge part. However, chronic infection can be an additional cause for adrenal exhaustion -- this would be viral, bacterial and fungal.

At the risk of sounding like a proverbial broken record, I just wanted to say that there is ALOT of undiagnosed infection out there. As I've shared so many times here before, I finally got a diagnosis for all of my health issues. I already knew about the metal toxicity but the infections I am carrying and having to deal with are staggering. Namely, Lyme Disease and Co-infections, along with candida.

Lyme Disease and Co-Infections are epidemic in the U.S. and it is also in the U.K. I do not know whether the British Health officials have categorized it as an epidemic yet, but articles I've read indicate that it is an enormous problem that is going largely undiagnosed. The symptoms can seem rather non-specific too. But Lyme Disease and the Co-infections that go along with it will cause a seemingly rapid case of Adrenal Exhaustion.

Anyway, I just wanted to mention this information in case it might help you at some point. I've posted some information about Lyme Disease in the Lyme Disease section of this Forum.

I don't know about you, but I felt almost validated in seeing the results for my adrenal function. I felt like saying, "See? I told you I've been tired and depressed!" lol! I don't know who I felt the need to say that too, though. I'm blessed with lots of loving family support.

Hope I don't sound too bossy here, but I really think it would behoove you to request complete sex hormone testing. It's really difficult to recover from adrenal fatigue without giving the body what it's lacking.

Sharon

p.s. That book you have by Dr. Wilson was really helpful to me when I was first diagnosed. I think you'll like it.

p.s.s. Here is a link to a UK site on Lyme Disease, testing, treatment, etc. I haven't read the entire site so I don't know whether they are selling anything. The article mentions endocrine disruption being caused by undiagnosed borrelia infections (i.e., Lyme Disease). I've just read the article on this linked page and not read any other parts of the website: http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=361