something to consider

[Friedbrain]

Sort of a "public service announcement" for all you kind people here who have helped me out so very much this past month.....

there's a common coexistence of autoimmune dysfunction and adrenal insufficiency that has been noted by many people suffering from adrenal insufficiency.  This is very logical, in some ways, since a key product of the adrenal glands is cortisol, which is anti-inflammatory. 

Despite what endocrinologists sometimes tell patients, adrenal insufficiency (AI) is NOT all-or-none, not between fine and zero cortisol.  Many people with AI have borderline labs but all of the symptoms and are significantly helped by steroids.  It's important to find a doctor who knows what they are doing when testing/diagnosing this (nothing against doctors in general, but endos are terrible about specializing in diabetes or something and forgetting the HPA, or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis).  Even the testing is tricky (for example, needs to be done first thing in the morning) and many labs don't even know how to do it right. 

The symptoms of AI also overlap with autoimmune disease symptoms, such as incredible fatigue and achiness.

Primary AI (problem with the adrenals themselves) can be caused by autoimmune attack or unknown reasons; however, on top of that, secondary AI (problem with the pituitary, higher up) can be caused by high-dose or long-term steroid use, such as is sometimes seen in autoimmune diseases.  I have secondary AI, maybe from solumedrol/prednisone taper from the hospital ten years ago, or the AI caused the neuro problems in the first place, don't know......but I am FAR from alone in having AI *and* autoimmune complications. 

Having autoimmune problems and AI makes it incredibly complicated but may help explain the difficulty if some of you can't seem to get some of the symptoms (ie fatigue) under control with immune suppressants alone.

[Tivia]

I agree totally I have graves but am euthyroid as of last few testings. The problem is I am still having symptoms that mimic hypo like when I took too much anti thyroid, not to mention my rheumy says she thinks something is going on with the adrenals. But my endo says no and wont test.

This article I think explains the dif that people get confused about symptoms of hypo vs adrenal. The one that sticks out for me is the fingertip wrinkling, and the skin wrinkling not on my face but my arms legs and now trunk and I also have malabsorption

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:g_g05wwoUrEJ:chronicfatigueandnutrition.com/hormones/thyroid-function-and-chronic-fatigue/+fingerpad+wrinkling&cd=14&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us

[iraisin]

this takes me to a realization I had about my body last week. I went into work, feeling really bad. Something happened and got my adrenaline pumped up. Once the issue was resolved, I felt so much better.

I then noted in my mind, that adrenaline really helps me - in the right dose and manner. I then started wondering if there was some sort of adrenaline treatment. I don't know anything about that or really what prednisone is.

I hear all the time how dreadful it is though. But the chemistry contrast between the two, I have no clue. I need to research more or one of you brainiacs can tell me.