Hello: Possible HPA-dysregulation case

[Archmage]

Hello. I hope it’s ok to post this Wall-of-Text here:

I’m a 24-year-old male, and I’ve been drawn to this site due to ongoing health issues.
For the past 8-11 years I’ve been experiencing worsening symptoms typical of what is referred to as “HPA dysregulation” by Dr. Mariano. These symptoms include: Chronic fatigue, weakness, low blood sugar/pressure, chronic insomnia + brain-fog + poor memory, measurably low testosterone/dhea/cortisol/thyroid, etc…

Main Problems: Debilitating lack of energy + inability to recover from any form of activity. I’m also unable to reliably use my brain because it’s too taxing. Posting this was much more difficult than it should have been.

Medical notes:
– Elevated ANA at 320:1 titer; speckled – no specific antibodies
– Fasting glucose: 65-76. Glucose dips to 60 and below by the end of a glucose tolerance test, and never exceeded 140, but diabetes runs in the family.
– Cortisol is low using diurnal saliva test kit from ZRT. The same test also shows low test, dhea, suboptimal D3, and what my alternative medicine professional has said is low progesterone. E2 is “normal,” but Test/E2 ratio is low.
– Numerous blood tests show hormone irregularities. In most tests my Total T3 is very low (diagnosed as Euthyroid sickness by UC-Irvine endocrinologist), and my TSH is 2 to 6. The ZRT test showed a normal free-T3, however. Thyroid antibodies were never present.
– Medical diagnosis progression: Depression, then Bipolar II, and finally Non-specific Auto-Immune disease. I’m not Addisonian (although I did show quite opposing Cushing’s-like results 2-3 years ago, they were ignored) so there’s no help in that arena.
– My Testosterone may sometimes read low enough for TRT (200-400), but I figured I needed more than just Test.
– End-of-Line of 5+ years of medical treatment is that I should take immunosuppressant drugs (elevated ANA, slightly low complement c3…) and continue therapy with my rheumatologist. – I’m not doing that until I survey other options.

More:
– No history of anabolics / steroids
– I was athletic and still am somewhat athletic (although now physical activity requires that I ration my stress reserves) when I’m able to function.
– I’ve had psoriasis (scalp and knee) since I was 15.
– I’ve never even heard of someone with worse insomnia than I’ve experienced, however my sleep has been improving. Sleep study = no sleep apnea, and I failed the study = didn’t sleep = diagnosed as disrupted circadian rhythm.
– Frequently sick, but more so after age of 13.
– My diet has been “good” for 6-7 years, and excellent for 2-3 years. Prior to that, it was “average,” which is bad by my new standards.
– SALT helps me somewhat… I’m aware of gluco/mineral-corticoids, but I’d need supervision and more firm diagnosis.

NOW:
– I have been taking nutritional supplements for the past 3-4 years, but I’m relatively well-researched
– My current alternative medicine professional has me on a little progesterone, which has been helping with sleep, and glandular extracts. He would give me some Testosterone if he could. He thinks that if I sleep well and avoid rigorous activity, then my body will eventually repair itself (he thinks it’s the HPA-dysregulation).
– I’m thinking that I’ve lost too much of what should have been the best years of my life not to seek further opinions.

Now I can provide a whole lot more history, but from this distillation, and assuming that I’ve analyzed my test results properly with respect to low/high readings, what is my next course of action?

I’m thinking I have no choice but to see a literate doctor… and Dr. M. is on my list.

Thanks for any replies,

V. Iyer

[pmgamer18]

I have what is called Hypopituitary problems do to a head injury I am 65 got sick at age 40 it was just 4 yrs ago I found out I am Secondary after being on Testosterone meds of over 23 yrs and not feeling better. So I know how you feel to day I treat my low Cortisol levels with 30 mgs of cortef a day starting at 10 mgs at 5am then 5mgs at 9am and 10 mgs at 1pm then 5 mgs at 6pm all with food. I treat my low Thyroid with 4.5 grains of Armour 2 in the morning 1.5 at noon and 1 at dinner. I treat my low Aldosterone level with Sea Salt in water 1/2 tsp 3x’s a day and Florinef .1 mgs a day. I do a shot of Testosterone 80 mgs every 3 days and 400 IU’s of HCG the 2 days each in between my Testosterone shots. Doing this keeps me more leveled and holds down my Estradiol levels. I take Arimidex .25 mgs every 3 days to keep Estradiol in check.

Your can read my story and the update at this link.http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=9239
I am a mod there for men’s thyroid and Adrenal problems I think the best thing you can do is to see Dr. M he is the best of the best.

Today after all I have been through I feel dam good a bit late but it’s never to late.
Phil

[hardasnails1973]

@Archmage 1868 wrote:

Hello. I hope it’s ok to post this Wall-of-Text here:

I’m a 24-year-old male, and I’ve been drawn to this site due to ongoing health issues.
For the past 8-11 years I’ve been experiencing worsening symptoms typical of what is referred to as “HPA dysregulation” by Dr. Mariano. These symptoms include: Chronic fatigue, weakness, low blood sugar/pressure, chronic insomnia + brain-fog + poor memory, measurably low testosterone/dhea/cortisol/thyroid, etc…

Main Problems: Debilitating lack of energy + inability to recover from any form of activity. I’m also unable to reliably use my brain because it’s too taxing. Posting this was much more difficult than it should have been.

Medical notes:
– Elevated ANA at 320:1 titer; speckled – no specific antibodies
– Fasting glucose: 65-76. Glucose dips to 60 and below by the end of a glucose tolerance test, and never exceeded 140, but diabetes runs in the family.
– Cortisol is low using diurnal saliva test kit from ZRT. The same test also shows low test, dhea, suboptimal D3, and what my alternative medicine professional has said is low progesterone. E2 is “normal,” but Test/E2 ratio is low.
– Numerous blood tests show hormone irregularities. In most tests my Total T3 is very low (diagnosed as Euthyroid sickness by UC-Irvine endocrinologist), and my TSH is 2 to 6. The ZRT test showed a normal free-T3, however. Thyroid antibodies were never present.
– Medical diagnosis progression: Depression, then Bipolar II, and finally Non-specific Auto-Immune disease. I’m not Addisonian (although I did show quite opposing Cushing’s-like results 2-3 years ago, they were ignored) so there’s no help in that arena.
– My Testosterone may sometimes read low enough for TRT (200-400), but I figured I needed more than just Test.
– End-of-Line of 5+ years of medical treatment is that I should take immunosuppressant drugs (elevated ANA, slightly low complement c3…) and continue therapy with my rheumatologist. – I’m not doing that until I survey other options.

More:
– No history of anabolics / steroids
– I was athletic and still am somewhat athletic (although now physical activity requires that I ration my stress reserves) when I’m able to function.
– I’ve had psoriasis (scalp and knee) since I was 15.
– I’ve never even heard of someone with worse insomnia than I’ve experienced, however my sleep has been improving. Sleep study = no sleep apnea, and I failed the study = didn’t sleep = diagnosed as disrupted circadian rhythm.
– Frequently sick, but more so after age of 13.
– My diet has been “good” for 6-7 years, and excellent for 2-3 years. Prior to that, it was “average,” which is bad by my new standards.
– SALT helps me somewhat… I’m aware of gluco/mineral-corticoids, but I’d need supervision and more firm diagnosis.

NOW:
– I have been taking nutritional supplements for the past 3-4 years, but I’m relatively well-researched
– My current alternative medicine professional has me on a little progesterone, which has been helping with sleep, and glandular extracts. He would give me some Testosterone if he could. He thinks that if I sleep well and avoid rigorous activity, then my body will eventually repair itself (he thinks it’s the HPA-dysregulation).
– I’m thinking that I’ve lost too much of what should have been the best years of my life not to seek further opinions.

Now I can provide a whole lot more history, but from this distillation, and assuming that I’ve analyzed my test results properly with respect to low/high readings, what is my next course of action?

I’m thinking I have no choice but to see a literate doctor… and Dr. M. is on my list.

Thanks for any replies,

V. Iyer

This is a typical case that walks through our office on a daily basis. With high ANA I be curious if hepatitis needs to be ruled out. IF you need good Dr and are in the west coast I recommend going to make the trip to see dr M as he is one the of best out their in his field. IF you are one east coast then you want to visit Myself and Dr O. If you are west coast make an appointement for Dr M as I have recommended several people to him in the past.

[Archmage]

Phil: I’m familiar with your case. I’ve followed it on STTM and Meso-RX. It suffices to say that I’ve experienced similar social alienation even from those closest. Fortunately I have two people in my life upon whom I can rely.

HAN: Thanks for the reply. Because I’m on the W. Coast I will shoot Dr. M an e-mail and give him a call on Monday if possible.

I’m not doubting that this type of thing is common, but it is strange that most doctors I’ve seen have been clueless, as if they’ve never heard my story before. It’s not surprising that I don’t know anyone else like myself…these people wouldn’t be able to get out of the house long enough to meet others anyway 😮 🙁

Thanks, all.

[pmgamer18]

Well then you know your not alone that are some of us out there in the same boat I pry you get to the bottom of all this. I did.
@Archmage 1877 wrote:

Phil: I’m familiar with your case. I’ve followed it on STTM and Meso-RX. It suffices to say that I’ve experienced similar social alienation even from those closest. Fortunately I have two people in my life upon whom I can rely.

HAN: Thanks for the reply. Because I’m on the W. Coast I will shoot Dr. M an e-mail and give him a call on Monday if possible.

I’m not doubting that this type of thing is common, but it is strange that most doctors I’ve seen have been clueless, as if they’ve never heard my story before. It’s not surprising that I don’t know anyone else like myself…these people wouldn’t be able to get out of the house long enough to meet others anyway 😮 🙁

Thanks, all.

[Author]

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