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How To Decrease Cortisol Levels When In Depression?

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Posted on Mon, 9 Mar 2015
Question: How can I decrease my cortisol level which is 25 at the moment? I am in a deep depression and have some fears and panic attacks. Not sure if that is causing them all.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
All due to hypothyroidism

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and I understand your concern. As far as cortisol levels are concerned level of 25 are still in normal reference range. To know for sure it is hypercprtisolism further evaluation like dexamethasone suppression test is advised. Cortisol is a stress hormone and it synthesis may increase in stress full conditions including hypothyroidism.

As far as prolactin levels are concerned so that you should know that hypothyroidism is notorious for high prolactin levels and the only way to get prolactin back to normal is to get the thyroid status to normal euthyroid.

Nutshell all you need is thyroid supplements and a good endocrinologist. Rest your management totally depends on thyroid functions maintenance.

Your anxiety and panic attacks will get comforted with slight anxiolytics and psychotherapy as these are the sequelae of such illnesses.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (15 hours later)
Dear Doctor,

Thank you very much for your helpful comments and advice. Now it explains a lot. I have 1 more question though. I read that when one has high prolactin level he/she should avoid estrogen. My estrogen level is in a normal range according to my recent lab test. However.!I have noticed that many products containing estrogen terribly affect me and even caused lapse of consciousness few times, especially during my period. Does it mean I have to avoid everything that contains even a small percentage of estrogen? I cannot eat any kinds of legumes, grains, certain fruits not yet speaking about eating carbs and drinking coffee. There are still many other types of foods which still have estrogen in them. I would highly appreciate if you could also let me know if I must cut on estrogen completely, or a little percentage is still fine.

Thank you very much in advance
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
No worries

Detailed Answer:
Thank you getting back to me!
As i said your prolactins are due to hypothyroidism and not due to estrogens. Estrogen of course increase prolactins but not in normal reference range and that occurs in pregnancy. Unless you are pregnant, these contraceptive pills may not be enough to give you a prolactin spike. Its thyroid hormone deficiency which is giving it to you because Thyroid stimulation in the pituitary in guise of TSH concomitantly stimulates prolactin too.

And as far as avoiding foods for fear of having estrogen in it is preposterous and is not wise. Eat whatever you want. There are no limitations.

I hope it helps.

Regards
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (14 hours later)
Thank you so much for the advice, doctor. The only thing is that whenever I eat estrogen rich food, or iodine rich food I start feeling extremely bad. I start having muscle spasms, severe heart palpitations, panick attacks as usual, jitters and lapse of consciousness. That is the reason I started having a very limited nutritional menue. I know it is not wise to limit yourself in different healthy for the body products, but they adversly affect my body. That was why I was asking about nutrition.

Thank you very much, doctor.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
:)

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome
As I mentioned earlier diet has nothing to do with hormonal imbalance of prolactin and can't affect that much. So don't limit the diet for no reason it will bring more harm than good.
Just rest for a while and eat healthy and fibrous and natural products. If you are afraid of oral contraceptive pills you may use alternative forms of contraception there are many.

I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself.

Khan
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shafi Ullah Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 3613 Questions

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How To Decrease Cortisol Levels When In Depression?

Brief Answer: All due to hypothyroidism Detailed Answer: Thank you for asking I read your question and I understand your concern. As far as cortisol levels are concerned level of 25 are still in normal reference range. To know for sure it is hypercprtisolism further evaluation like dexamethasone suppression test is advised. Cortisol is a stress hormone and it synthesis may increase in stress full conditions including hypothyroidism. As far as prolactin levels are concerned so that you should know that hypothyroidism is notorious for high prolactin levels and the only way to get prolactin back to normal is to get the thyroid status to normal euthyroid. Nutshell all you need is thyroid supplements and a good endocrinologist. Rest your management totally depends on thyroid functions maintenance. Your anxiety and panic attacks will get comforted with slight anxiolytics and psychotherapy as these are the sequelae of such illnesses. I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please. Regards XXXXXXX