The KInd Life Community Forum

Hi Ren,

I have recently been told similar things by my naturopath. He put me on iodine supplements and maca, which is supposed to be replenishing for the adrenal glands. You can take maca as a concentrated supplement or as a powder added to smoothies. It tastes like caramel, and comes from the maca root in Peru I believe.

Also, do you drink coffee? I would suggest cutting that out, as well as refined sugar..hope that helps a bit!

Ninu

Agh! it kills me that there are so many of us out there! I am the only person in my family who has hypothyroidism ( my family got tested after I was diagnosed) and it was pretty lonely at first. It was hard to tell how long I had it before I saw a doctor, because I didn't really know about it until I found out my thyroid pretty much, didn't work. My mom believed that it was a made up disease that I used to explain my mood swings, weight gain, and lack of concentration, among other things. My extended family kept pushing me to "eat less" until everything I ate the whole day could fit on a tiny snack plate. I pretty much had all the symptoms, except for high cholesterol and constipation (which the doctors and I believe may be due to a vegetarian diet). I'm now taking Synthroid, and eating whatever I want, whenever I want. Surprisingly, I've lost about 10 lbs, in the past 6 weeks, which I feel is pretty amazing. It's frustrating that the same thing doesn't work for everyone, because it means that you become your own personal guinea pig, trying to figure out how to heal yourself. It takes a while, and it can be difficult to understand that it will get better. I know I still have weeks where I feel like all of the symptoms are coming back, but for the most part, it's pretty awesome. I hope for the same for you too! This year marks the 14th year that I have called myself a vegetarian, so I'm way past the point of no return.

I think that for me, part of the journey has been the realization that I love my body, no matter what size it is. This body has carried me through 4 marathons, and I consider it to be no less than amazing, curves and all. :)

Hi all! I was excited to see this thread because I have dealt with a number of the symptoms that you guys are discussing and have spent the last few years looking for anything at all that will help me to feel better. I was not diagnosed with adrenal fatigue or hypothyroidism but adrenal fatigue is the only diagnosis that fits all of my symptoms. I have struggled with fatigue for several years but developed severe fatigue a few years ago, such that even after some improvement I can only hold a part-time job and am going to have to leave my PhD program :( After undergoing the normal battery of health tests along with three 24-hour sleep studies to see if I had sleep apnea or narcolepsy, my very expensive doctor recommended that I see a psychologist to deal with my "problems." Of course, I had mentioned to her many times that I had been seeing a therapist for several years to make sure that depression or some other mental illness wasn't the source of my symptoms, and had even tried several antidepressants with no impact on my fatigue (and that I am studying to be a psychologist so know the impact mental health can have on your physical health!!!). So...needless to say, I gave up on conventional medicine and continued detoxifying my life, removing all the chemicals from my home and starting a vegetarian, natural, mostly organic diet. This has helped somewhat and after buying Alicia's book I became a vegan flirt, but still consume some milk and egg products. I am curious if anyone has heard that a strict vegan diet is really helpful for those suffering from adrenal fatigue? I have also tried exercise, however I find that on certain days exercise wipes out any energy that I had left, so I feel unsure of what to do there. Also, I just want to join this thread to meet and support those who are suffering from these symptoms and let you know that there is at least one more person out there who knows that this is not "just in your head"!

I also concocted my own weight loss/detox tea by using the bulk bins at my health food store. While I was researching this I learned a lot about herbs that are good for the adrenals and thyroid

Rose hips- These are so good for you EVERYONE should be getting them but for this purpose rose hips support the adrenals, relieve tension and regulate hormones

Ginger-Helps modulate cortisol levels

Nettle-Helps build your energy level, contains seratonin

Siberian and panax ginseng-works on adrenals to reduce fatigue, fights exhaustion and depression

Licorice- adrenal stimulant

Gotu kola-Stimulates thyroid, balances hormones

Oatstraw- stimulates thyroid and is an anti-depressant

Sarsparilla-has a cortin-like sustancesimilar to what the adrenals produce

Borage-healing to the adrenals, stimulates the adrenal cortex

Milk Thistle-benefits adrenal function

Yerba Mate-stimulates adrenal glands.

Good info Michelle! Thanks! Interesting that many of these things are also good for other conditions I have that my naturopath is treating me for.