I have Addisons Disease (diagnosed by having a full blown crisis that put me in a coma) and I was treated for Graves disease 20 years ago, which means I now have low thyroid. Both of mine were autoimmune and I take 50mcg of synthroid, 30 mg of cortef, 1 florinef tab a day. This is just a friendly warning for all of you out there to be sure and get lots of calcium, take actonel or fosamax if they put you on it and be sure to follow directions by your endocrinologist as close as possible. We are still having a hard time regulating my thyroid even though they gave me radioactive iodine 20 years ago to kill it out. It just slowed it down and I still can't take medicines like cold medicines or it causes heart palpitations. I have osteopenia and I am typing with two broken bones in my left arm due to the steroids we take. I am by no means saying I am a pro, but if you have doubts, always ask to be taken to an endocrinologist because they understand these interactions best of all. Good luck and if you have any questions please write me. I will try to help any way I can. This stuff is NO FUN!

Thanks for your comments Van, I'll follow those tests, and see what the Endo runs. I often order my own tests as well, so I can augment if need be (unless it a reactionary test, of course).

When I was looking at your thyroid post a couple of weeks back, I had searched on you, and read a number of your previous posts. You sure have something going on there, and have been through a lot. I hope you find some answers too.

I went to my GP, who is usually hard to get in to see, and saw his Nurse Practitioner instead. I wanted to see if it was a good idea to try some Cortef for a couple of weeks, and see how I did. Unfortunately, she knew nothing about that, or thyroid (is a TSH-worshiper), and just passed me on to the Endo..... 3 month waiting time. I have an excellent endo though, so... guess I'll just suffer for another 1/4 year.

I was considering cautiously trying something mild, just as an experiment - not sure I want to do that. Are these adrenal extracts you mention, available from common sources (health food stores)? And what ingredient do you look for that makes one brand Cortisol-increasing, versus just a "support" supplement?

Sonya - Are you saying that the Cortef/Florinef can cause osteo? Ghee, that sounds fun. My wife is on Actonel. Judging by her reaction, I'd be in trouble taking that stuff. Sorry about your bones - both in general, and specifically to the two in mention.