My Journey To Wellness from Adrenal Fatigue and Hypothyroidism

by Barbara Roberts
(Dawsonville, GA USA)

In 2008, I was under tremendous stress, exacerbated by my father’s passing. I developed adrenal fatigue.

That affected my thyroid, which affected my female hormones, making menopausal symptoms unbearable.

I had hot flashes every two hours, day and night. I was so sleep deprived I had mild anxiety attacks.

My thyroid enlarged to process more iodine and a growth showed “some vascularity” on ultrasound. A subsequent biopsy showed “atypical” cells. Three doctors said remove my thyroid and I said “No”.

I believe in alternative medicine which I wanted to try first, in 2009. I went to naturopaths and I’m on bioidentical hormones compounded specifically for my body. All menopausal symptoms are gone - I can sleep at night.

Also, I packed pounds around my middle, and my triglycerides, cholesterol and fasting blood sugar levels all crept up. I had no energy and exercise was difficult. Something was wrong but my TSH tests were normal.

Finally, my holistic doctor said my thyroid was malfunctioning. He tested free T-3 and I wasn’t utilizing it properly. Dr. Mercola says if your TSH score is over 1.5, you are hypothyroid. My score was 1.7 and I had all the symptoms.

I went on Iodoral and Armour thyroid with a cream nightly. As of March 2010, I’ve dropped 30 pounds of abdominal weight. No matter how much I ate or exercised, if the thyroid was off, that fat was staying because it was storing iodine.

If the adrenals aren’t working, you won’t make enough cortisol to exercise. If you keep pushing, it will knock you flat. My body felt as if I hadn’t slept for weeks, with a borderline sick-to-my-stomach feeling.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is epidemic now and we’re being told it’s all in our heads, especially women.

Terri's Reply: Barbara thanks for sharing your story. Adrenal Fatigue and Thyroid issues are very widespread and most people, especially women, aren't aware of how it can negatively impact their life. It is great that you chose the natural route and were able to overcome your health concerns and lose weight in the process.