Podcast Episode #39: Adrenal Fatigue Part 2
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Episode #39 – Adrenal Fatigue Part 2
News:
Read about workshops here, or find one near you here!
Upcoming Events: The Balanced Bites Workshop (Powered by PaleoKits!)
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6/2: Winston-Salem, NC - register here!
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What we’re up to in the Workshop “off-season…”
July 13-15: Diane and Liz will be at the CrossFit Games in Los Angeles, CA
July 20: Diane will speak about nutrition at the Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Conference.
August 7: Diane’s book, Practical Paleo, released!
August 9-11: Ancestral Health Symposium in Cambridge, MA
Show Links:
Chris Kresser: “Low T3 Syndrome IV: an autoimmune disease you’ve never heard of?”
Mary Vance of Holistic Nutrition Bytes -Holistic Nutritionist -San Francisco Bay Area
Diana Rodgers of Radiance Nutritional Therapy – Boston region Nutritional Therapist
Book How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! By Paul Chek
Episode #15 – Adrenal Fatigue, Part 1
Topics:
#1 : Hormone Supplementation [9:26]
#2: Adrenal Protocols [22:49]
#3: Hard time regulating blood sugar [39:33]
#4: Shingles [45:07]
#5: Can’t get enough sleep due to lifestyle [58:17]
#6: Cycling Adaptogens [1:05:33]
#7. Why running?! [1:07:37]
Click here to download the episode as an MP3.
The episodes are currently available in iTunes, Stitcher & Blog Talk Radio.
#1 : Hormone Supplementation
Margaret says,
Hi Diane and Liz- This may be a lengthy question, but let me give you my background. I listened to your Podcast episode #15 about Adrenal issues. GREAT information and it really helped me understand better what’s going on. Last April is when I began my paleo journey. Within a month I was feeling great and really energized. All of a sudden I began to feel lethargic with headaches and feeling faint. I have a low thyroid which I take synthroid for already for about 5 years, so I assumed that my thyroid was out of whack. I did read about adrenal fatigue before going into to the dr, so I had them test my adrenals. My blood pressure was extremely low and my labs came backwith a diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency/Addisons Disease. My cortisol output was 3, ACTH was 1250, testosterone and dhea were low, as well. I was given hydrocort 20 mg a day, 15mg dhea, 30 mg pregnenolone, alpha base vitamin without iron, 1ml progest on days 14-28 of my cycle, .2ml of testosterone, fludrocort .1mg, 100mcg synthroid DAILY. I was told this is what I have to ingest pretty much everyday. I went to about 3 different endocrine doctors until I found someone that included diet and nutrition. My dr loves that I eat paleo, although he doesn’t eat paleo. He thought that I may be able to decrease my hydrocort later. Well, I tried to decrease it myself by 2 mg daily. Within 2 weeks of doing this, I had an adrenal crisis and had to be rushed to the hospital. So now I am very scared to decrease this on my own. My labs come back better everytime I have them done (ACTH is 44 now). Do you think I can ever decrease the amounts of meds/supplements that I take? Or is this too serious of a disease to not mess with the meds/protocol on rx. My hormones I take are bioidentical. I exercise maybe 2xs a week. I work a part time non stressfull job from home and have 2 kids under 5. I haven’t felt this good with the way I eat in my entire life. I sleep well, eat well and am happy…but I ingest this copious amount of meds. Please give me your thoughts on my situation, what, if anything I can do or any suggestions you might have for me. THANK YOU Mornings: eggs, a vegetable and a meat (bacon/nitrate/nitrite free etc) lunches: meat and veg probably from dinner the previous night/snack on olives, tomatoes, etc dinner: same use coconut oil, renedered bacon fat, olive oil yoga once a week, light walking 2 xs a week see above for medicines and supplements grass fed cheese once a week (usually on our paleo pizzas) I love how informative you are! I have the e book from the paleo summit. Pre ordered the book and I can’t wait! Thank you for all you do
#2: Adrenal Protocols
Shannon says,
First, I want to start off by saying that I love your podcast and I have learned so much. I’m planning on attending your workshop in September in Naples. I can’t wait! I am 33 years old and have been suffering extreme fatigue for approximately 7 months with hairloss, mood swings, wild food cravings, loss of libido and persistent ezcema. I had a positive ANA test in January. The doctor ordered a re-test and it was negative. I was told there is nothing wrong with me and that I am perfectly healthy, but no one had any explanation for my fatigue and loss of libido. I decided to see a dietician to see what I am doing wrong because I thought maybe it was my food. She had me do an adrenal saliva test and diagnosed me with adrenal fatigue and gave me a boatload of expensive supplements which I took for a month and felt no improvement. I found a functional medicine doctor to see and he indicated that although my TSH is normal, my T3 is low and my hormones are out of balance. My FSH came back as 0. He put me on liothyronine 10mg for the thyroid and bioidentical hormone replacement therapy cream. In the 6 weeks I have been on the BHRT and thy roid meds, I have gained 10 lbs., my cravings have been completely out of control and I’m a basket case. At this point, I am tempted to stop everything and go back to what I was doing before. I know these things take time, but 10 lbs in 6 weeks is ridiculous. I’m 5’5 and went from 132 to 142 in that short time. All of my clothes are tight and I am beside myself. I should also mention that I had a IgG4 antibody allergy test through Metametrix and found that I am allergic to eggs – probably from over-exposure, but no other food allergies. I’m also having crazy digestive issues – gas, bloating and constipation. I am so lost. What should I do? As far as exercise, I attend a boot camp 3 times per week, heated yoga twice a week and run a 3-5 miles once a week. As far as food – I eat 90% organic, I try to stay gluten free, but it’s not always possible. Breakfast is typically, quinoa cereal and turkey slices, lunch is usually a big salad with homemade dressing or salsa and avocado, dinner is often protein and green veggies, snacks are usually apples and protein, goat’s milk yogurt or a whey protein shake with almond milk or coconut milk. I do have dark chocolate almost every day after dinner and I have been throwing in my fair share of junk foods like peanut m&m’s, frozen yogurt and cookies because of my cravings.
#3: Hard time regulating blood sugar
Andrew asks,
I have just listened to your podcast on adrenal fatigue. I have been dealing with significant adrenal fatigue since late 2010. I discovered why I was feeling so terrible and started making a lot of food and lifestyle changes in April of 2011. I have come a long way since then, but adrenal fatigue continues to be a major problem in my life. I believe that part of the problem of why I’m not getting better is my blood sugar. I have a hard time regulating it even though I eat well. Is there someone (either a natropath or a nutritionist) in the Boston area that you could refer me to so I could talk to them about this? I am seeing a natropathic doctor now, but I am not sure that he is as well versed in adrenal fatigue as I would like. Thanks in advance, Andrew eat eggs for breakfast with a piece of ezekiel bread. I eat a variety of meat usually purchased at whole foods and organic. I usually have quinoa with the meat for lunch along with a spinach salad. The salad will have cucumbers and peppers and onions. I eat eggs for breakfast with a piece of ezekiel bread. I eat different types of nuts for snacks and also eat gluten free crackers with hummus or taboule. I eat quinoa that has wild rice, hummus, and taboule.
#4: Shingles
Lisa asks,
I have not always handled stress very well and for the last few years was not getting enough sleep. I was a competitive cyclist who then started doing mostly CrossFit and now am trying to find a healthy mix of both of them while training for my first duathlon. I have had problems with recovery and injury. I’ll just get into a groove with my training and be feeling great, and then I’ll get rundown and sick (upper respiratory usually) and take forever to go away OR I’ll get injured and pull a muscle or get tendonitis that will take me forever to get back to training.This fall was extremely stressful for me at work (for silly reasons that I shouldn’t let stress me out) and I came down with shingles. I didn’t have time to exercise, and when I tried (I’m a silly crossfitter, so of course I go back to crossfit, instead of just a low intensity jog or something) I broke out in hives twice (once from crossfit and once from a high intensity bike ride). My body couldn’t handle the stress of exercise. I also was so stressed, that I caved from my Paleo lifestyle and was craving sugar in my rundown state. I also suffered depression and anxiety for the first time in my life.I’ve gotten out of that rut and am starting to lose the 10+ pounds I put on, and have significantly reduced my stress level and am back to eating a healthy paleo lifestyle again and tracking my food and exercise. I got in a great groove with my offseason cycling training (had to take 2.5 months off from CrossFit for financial reasons and had an injured shoulder anyway) and then I got a horrible sinus infection and bronchitis that I just can’t get rid of fully and it’s been almost 3 weeks. I did some light intensity jogging with the dog when I started feeling better and then just did 2 high intensity workouts, and feel crappy again. I just can’t get better!! I have a feeling I have some serious adrenal hormone imbalances that are causing me to get rundown so easily and injured so easily. How should I progress now to confirm this and what should I be taking? I just ordered the Royal Butter Oil/Fermented Cod Liver Oil that you recommend and am looking into finding pasture raised animal liver, but I need help and would like to know what to do to really get better. Frustrated, Lisa I’ve been eating about 50% calories daily from fat and the rest is protein and just under 100g of carbs a day. My fat is mostly organic chicken thighs and 100% grass fed beef and coconut oil… and sardines. I take liquid fish oil daily, and take Hammer Nutrition products daily: Premium Insurance Caps (daily vitamin), Tissue Rejuvenator, Mito Caps, Race Caps Supreme, and Udo’s Choice Adult Probiotic. I eat about 1200 net calories/day, eating back what I burn exercising and log it on livestrong.com. I try to get 8 hrs/sleep/night, but sometimes it is more like 7. This is a huge lifestyle change for me since the shingles. I was getting away with 5-6 hrs. sleep/night for about 2-3 years prior to that. My body just can’t handle that anymore. I am just turning 37 and am trying to get back to the 135 lb weight I have been averaging for the last couple years. I’m now at 144 (down from 150 around the holidays).When I am not eating Paleo, I feel I have an eating disorder and can’t stop eating carbs (cookies, corn chips, etc… even paleo macaroons w/honey set it off if I eat too many) Alcohol has been doing the same thing lately, one glass of wine makes me crave more, and while I LOVE good dark beer and IPAs, that’s even worse and I feel like death the next day, so I’ve been very good about that lately. This Paleo lapse/binge eating occurred in the fall when I was run down and stressed and sick and also over the holidays when I was a bit depressed from it all. I’ve been very good now and only had one lapse day because I started drinking wine and caved and ate corn chips and then continued to eat Paleo, but to grossly overeat. Other than that one lapse, my Paleo has been strict and I feel GREAT!! …if I wasn’t sick. (I have IBS and skin problems and just general malaise when I don’t eat Paleo).
#5: Can’t get enough sleep due to lifestyle
Marks says,
Hello, I really enjoy your podcasts. I have a question regarding excessive fatigue immediately after eating a meal. It seems that as soon as I eat a meal (even when Paleo compliant with meat and veggies), I feel excessively fatigued and can’t even keep my eyes open. Obviously, this is especially a problem when I have to drive somewhere. Even on the nights I get plenty of sleep, this still happens. v/r Mark
#6: Cycling Adaptogens
Jon asks,
I’ve been taking Ashwaganda and Holy Basil with good success. Should I be cycling my adaptogens? I normally do two months of Holy Basil/Ashwaganda then a month of Rhodiola..
#7. Why running?!
Helen asks,
Hi Diane. Liked what you said on a podcast re your previous burnout, and it taking time for recovery. I had burnout 2 yrs ago, due to 4 small children (x1 special needs), 3-4 hrs sleep per night, bereavement, too much long distance running (at5am!) & type A personality. Discovered/implemented Paleo (thanks) in Sept. Sleep hygiene measures (& no babies requiring breastfeeding!) improving sleep to 5/6 hrs. Do x2 strength sessions and x2 short runs per week now. Fatigue much improved but seem to have plateaued to achy fatigue esp in mornings. Can’t manage more than 6 miles run!! Interval sessions wear me out, so have stopped them. Even resorted to bone broth (yr suggestion on podcast!); not bad for a vegetarian of 20+ yrs! Would you have any time to make any further suggestions? I would love to regain my energy. Many thanks for all that you do. Helen
Cheers!
Diane & Liz
About the author
Charissa Talbot is the Communication Coordinator for Balanced Bites and Lead Moderator for The 21 Day Sugar Detox. She has been a Fitness Professional for over five years and is currently a student studying Holistic Health Care at the South West Institute of the Healing arts while under the mentorship of Diane Sanfilippo.
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