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Suggest Remedy For Under Functioning Of The Adrenal And Thyroid Glands
Question: My doctor tells me based on diagnostic data that my adrenal and thyroid glands are under-functioning by 300%, which may be a complication of mycotoxicosis (toxic mold poisoning) and chronic Lyme Disease. I am extremely sensitive to both cold and hot temperatures, and my body feels like it goes into shock when I am exposed to temperatures below 70 degrees fahrenheit or above 85 degrees fahrenheit. On the cold sensitivity end, when exposed to temperatures below 70 F, my body temperature will fall as low as 90-93 degrees F, as confirmed on multiple thermometers doing both oral and armpit temperature readings. It takes my body many hours to be able to warm up again when this happens, and sometimes takes days to recover. I have an anesthesiologist friend who says if my core body temperature got as low as 90-93 F I would be dead, and that my core temperature must be lower than this. When one is diagnosed with hypothermia, is this based on sub-95 F temperatures as taken orally or under the arm? I am wondering if I am actually dealing with hypothermia during these times and what to do to try and make my body so more able to autoregulate temperature so I do not go into these borderline shock states..
I meant to say my anesthesiologist friend surmises my core temperature must be HIGHER than the 90-93 F readings I get orally and under the arm.
I use basal body temperature thermometers that women monitoring their monthly cycle typically use, so the thermometers are very accurate ones.
I meant to say my anesthesiologist friend surmises my core temperature must be HIGHER than the 90-93 F readings I get orally and under the arm.
I use basal body temperature thermometers that women monitoring their monthly cycle typically use, so the thermometers are very accurate ones.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid & Adrenal
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying.
I can help you determine whether your thyroid or adrenal gland are responsible for your symptoms.
When I suspect a thyroid and adrenal condition in my patients, I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:
TSH
Free T4
Total T3
Total T4
T3 resin uptake
CBC
CMP
8 am serum cortisol
Prolactin
HbA1c
Midnight Salivary cortisol
If results of these tests come back normal, it is extremely unlikely you have any thyroid or adrenal problem that can be held responsible for the temperature imbalances you are experiencing.
Thyroid & Adrenal
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying.
I can help you determine whether your thyroid or adrenal gland are responsible for your symptoms.
When I suspect a thyroid and adrenal condition in my patients, I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:
TSH
Free T4
Total T3
Total T4
T3 resin uptake
CBC
CMP
8 am serum cortisol
Prolactin
HbA1c
Midnight Salivary cortisol
If results of these tests come back normal, it is extremely unlikely you have any thyroid or adrenal problem that can be held responsible for the temperature imbalances you are experiencing.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Topiwala.
I do not have any recent cortisol lab work. Here are the recent thyroid related labs I have:
TSH, 1
TPO, 1
Free T3, 2.5
T3 Uptake, 29
T4, 7.2
T3 Tota,l 66
When one is diagnosed with hypothermia, is this based on sub-95 F temperatures as taken orally or under the arm? I am wondering if I am actually dealing with hypothermia during times oral and under-arm temps are 90-93 F.
I do not have any recent cortisol lab work. Here are the recent thyroid related labs I have:
TSH, 1
TPO, 1
Free T3, 2.5
T3 Uptake, 29
T4, 7.2
T3 Tota,l 66
When one is diagnosed with hypothermia, is this based on sub-95 F temperatures as taken orally or under the arm? I am wondering if I am actually dealing with hypothermia during times oral and under-arm temps are 90-93 F.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
At first glance of the provided laboratory results, you do not seem to have hypothyroidism.
TSH is a very reliable screening test to detect the vast majority of individuals with thyroid problems.
So statistically it is extremely likely that your thyroid is normal based on the normal TSH of 1
However, there are some uncommon conditions in which the TSH looks normal but the other thyroid related hormone levels suggest other possibilities such as 'Central hypothyroidism' which is a very uncommon type of hypothyroidism.
So it is important to study the results of Free T4, Total T3 also for example. I see you have given values of these. But the normal ranges and units for measurement vary from lab to lab. It is very important therefore to know if the lab results for these fall in the normal range for the laboratory where you had these tests done.
If these are also within the normal range, as is the TSH then it is extremely unlikely you have hypothyroidism.
Regarding body temperate you seem to have mild hypothermia. Rectal measurements are more accurate. I suggest you consult an Internist to investigate this properly
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
At first glance of the provided laboratory results, you do not seem to have hypothyroidism.
TSH is a very reliable screening test to detect the vast majority of individuals with thyroid problems.
So statistically it is extremely likely that your thyroid is normal based on the normal TSH of 1
However, there are some uncommon conditions in which the TSH looks normal but the other thyroid related hormone levels suggest other possibilities such as 'Central hypothyroidism' which is a very uncommon type of hypothyroidism.
So it is important to study the results of Free T4, Total T3 also for example. I see you have given values of these. But the normal ranges and units for measurement vary from lab to lab. It is very important therefore to know if the lab results for these fall in the normal range for the laboratory where you had these tests done.
If these are also within the normal range, as is the TSH then it is extremely unlikely you have hypothyroidism.
Regarding body temperate you seem to have mild hypothermia. Rectal measurements are more accurate. I suggest you consult an Internist to investigate this properly
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Topiwala.
The only lab marker that was out of range in terms of non-subclinical windows was the total T3 at 66 ng/dL, 76-181 ng/dL being normal clinical range per this Quest Diagnostics lab.
I can look into seeing an internist I see. Is the mild hypothermia I have not so much of a concern as to hypothermia risks? What would be considered non-mild hypothermia temperatures?
The only lab marker that was out of range in terms of non-subclinical windows was the total T3 at 66 ng/dL, 76-181 ng/dL being normal clinical range per this Quest Diagnostics lab.
I can look into seeing an internist I see. Is the mild hypothermia I have not so much of a concern as to hypothermia risks? What would be considered non-mild hypothermia temperatures?
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hypothermia is defined as a core temperature below 35ºC (95ºF). The stage of hypothermia, defined by core temperature, has a large impact on both recognition and treatment. The most commonly used definitions found in the literature are as follows :
●Mild hypothermia – Core temperature 32 to 35ºC (90 to 95ºF)
●Moderate hypothermia – Core temperature 28 to 32ºC (82 to 90ºF)
●Severe hypothermia – Core temperature below 28ºC (82ºF)
In addition, some experts regard a core temperature <24°C (75°F) or <20ºC (68ºF) as profound hypothermia.
Other published cutoffs are similar. Because the clinical features of hypothermia differ among patients, and because core temperature measurement is imprecise, the recognition of each stage is more important than its exact boundaries.
I suggest you do not try to self manage this complex condition and see an Internal Medicine doctor soon to investigate this comprehensively
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hypothermia is defined as a core temperature below 35ºC (95ºF). The stage of hypothermia, defined by core temperature, has a large impact on both recognition and treatment. The most commonly used definitions found in the literature are as follows :
●Mild hypothermia – Core temperature 32 to 35ºC (90 to 95ºF)
●Moderate hypothermia – Core temperature 28 to 32ºC (82 to 90ºF)
●Severe hypothermia – Core temperature below 28ºC (82ºF)
In addition, some experts regard a core temperature <24°C (75°F) or <20ºC (68ºF) as profound hypothermia.
Other published cutoffs are similar. Because the clinical features of hypothermia differ among patients, and because core temperature measurement is imprecise, the recognition of each stage is more important than its exact boundaries.
I suggest you do not try to self manage this complex condition and see an Internal Medicine doctor soon to investigate this comprehensively
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for those hypothermia parameters Dr. Topiwala. I will schedule an appointment with my internist. I will also continue mycotoxicosis treatment, as the trichothecene mycotoxins I got toxified with can cause hypothermia. In the meantime, would mild hypothermia be considered a medical emergency even though I can always get my body temperature back up above 95 F on my own?
Brief Answer:
Third follow up
Detailed Answer:
It depends on findings on physical examination as to whether or not it represents a medical emergency. Temperature is only one such parameter. Vital signs are additional information but there is a general overall assessment which is possible only by an in-person evaluation to determine if this is a medical emergency.
Third follow up
Detailed Answer:
It depends on findings on physical examination as to whether or not it represents a medical emergency. Temperature is only one such parameter. Vital signs are additional information but there is a general overall assessment which is possible only by an in-person evaluation to determine if this is a medical emergency.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you Dr. Topiwala and happy Labor Day to you. I guess I was wondering what criterion to use to decide wether I should call 911 during these situations and have an in-person overall assessment such as you mention.
Brief Answer:
Fourth follow up
Detailed Answer:
If I were you, I would see an internist today itself. Medicine is not only about hard numbers so your persistent enquiries as to what is critical are difficult to answer. But I have still given you the cut-offs for various degrees of hypothermia above. However being in the mild range doesn't mean things are fine. One needs to investigate the causes for this and correct them because otherwise there is always a chance that mild may progress to moderate or severe if untreated.
Fourth follow up
Detailed Answer:
If I were you, I would see an internist today itself. Medicine is not only about hard numbers so your persistent enquiries as to what is critical are difficult to answer. But I have still given you the cut-offs for various degrees of hypothermia above. However being in the mild range doesn't mean things are fine. One needs to investigate the causes for this and correct them because otherwise there is always a chance that mild may progress to moderate or severe if untreated.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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