Hi Lisa – it’s hard to say as this is probably a question for a trained functional medicine practitioner. You’re on the right track in that our entire body is connected and each system affects the next. We’d suggest starting out with diet and then stool testing if you’re wanting to figure things out on your own. You can email us at support@scdlifestyle.com if you want further details:)

Thank you,
But what should be addressed first? As I also have MTHFR… I know I have Gut bacteria… and also high histamines… so is it true gut bacteria increases Histamines which then increases Cortisol?

Hi Lisa – it sure can, as a proper cortisol Rhythm helps to regulate inflammation. We’d suggest working with a practitioner to get your cortisol regulated and you can find a practitioner here: scdlifestyle.com/practitioners

High cortisol cause low tsh so self diagnosis still works. You just found what causes your hypo.

Hi sorry to hear that i am not a doctor by any mean but i got the solution for ur problem because i had it before because i know how u feel. First u need to supplement with Hcl and pepsin before every meal. U can start with 3-4 pills and see if u feel any improvements u can buy that on amazon 250 pills for 20$ or less. Second step is to supply before bed time with magnisum glycinate, melatonin and vitamin c this will allow u to regulate cortisol between morning and night. I also find it very helpful to supply with organic plant protien shake this is because ur body didn’t digest protiens for two long and need more. I just told u the method but i can explain the reason for each supplement u need. It will be also a good idea to check for h pylori and treat yourself first but the acid u will take will neutralize its effect

Hi Emma – you can have your cortisol levels tested by your doctor or practitioner. You can use a blood or saliva test to have your levels tested.

Steven, low dose HC is incredible. But it’s not easy to remember to take it every few hours and you have to go through a little trial and error. Plus, not that easy to get any doctor to prescribe it. My doctor is very knowledgable, but even he didn’t know what it was.

Hi Alice, thanks so much for reaching out and for your kind words!

Cortisol is just one important factor in maintaining an ideal weight – other hormones, the thyroid system, and the adrenals all have a big impact on weight.

If you’re still struggling with your weight, you may consider looking at your adrenal and thyroid function even more, and maybe with the help of a practitoner.

We have two recommended practitoners who can help, if you’re interested: https://healthygut.com/practitioners/

Thanks for sharing this Bob! Steve and Jordan free that a healthy dietary plan like SCD is the foundation of good health 🙂

Hope you’re feeling awesome today!

First things should be done first. There are literally dozens of simple MUST DOs before resorting to complicated MEDDLING. Start with fundamentals-ENZYMES-at least 50% of all foods should be eaten raw. Chew all food until one can “drink it” (yes 100 times sometimes), be careful of water intake before, during and after meals, pay attention to what foods YOUR body likes, (be wary of all legumes and cereals) and so on and on. Most Functional practioners have written all this time and time again- anyone who doesn’t study this area of advice deserves to be ill. If all this has been in place for 6 months and there is still illness its suggested that additional help may be warranted

Hi Milena, sorry to hear about all she has gone through. Adrenal fatigue and cortisol issues are serious and need to be handled by a trusted practitioner who is trained in functional medicine. It sounds like she needs to have some tests run to see exactly where things lie with her adrenals and gut health.

We suggest looking here for a practitioner if you are in need of one: https://healthygut.com/practitioners/

Hi Andrea, thank you for reaching out! We do suggest working closely with a practitioner that you trust to help guide your health decisions. As you said, you could be dealing with some chronic inflammation, which can certainly make one feel less than optimal. If you are interested in changing your diet, we suggest checking out one of our 2 programs, which will provide you with an anti inflammatory approach to eating. If you are in need of a practitioner, you can find one here: https://healthygut.com/practitioners/

I have just been diagnosed with low cortisol through the 24 urine collection test (17) by my GP.

What he can’t understand is my complaint originally was been rapid weight gain yet with Addisons disease the symptom is weight loss. Your article struck a chord. Could my weight gain be due to chronic inflammation instead?

I really don’t want to go on any cortisteroids as that will make me gain more weight which i am terrified of doing.

look up sigmoidoscopy and Rick Simpson oil before doing anything else and adaptogens like ashwagandha maca ginseng ginkgo biloba reishi spores and others

Jenni ..I could cry as I am in the same boat as u. Have things improved lately…if so..how?

Quantum Nutrition Labs has Adaptogen and Adrenal Complex products that have no cortex in them.

Hi Steve. I just read “safe uses of cortisol” as suggested by my current doctor. He wanted me to become familiair with cortisol and the safe uses for it because we are probably going to begin this therapy because everything I have tried to help/cure my functional dyspepsia has failed. I have tried natural remedies (been doing paleo for 2 months) as well as medications to no avail. I will say though that Elavil did take away the upper abdominal burning while I was on it, but not this very odd tight feeling that I have had in my upper abdomen for the past year (24/7). I can’t find any paleo or scd or autoimmune community that has any advice or success with helping functional dyspepsia. Do you have any experience with this disorder?

Bonnie, I just saw this response you posted in Jan. Do you use Ox bile and Betaine with pepsin? I don’t have a gallbladder it was removed 34 years ago and slowly over time one thing after another started to give me trouble. Weight gain ,digestive, thyroid, adrenal etc. including losing most of my hair. It is all a domino effect. If this is an effective treatment for you, let me know

Have you tried Ox bile supplements (to help with fat digestion) and Hydrochloric Acid (betaine w/ pepsin) supplements (to help with general digestion, especially of proteins)? Often GERD is due to low stomach acid. Without a gallbladder, your fat digestion will be greatly impaired. Adequate stomach acid is necessary in stimulating the release of Bile and other digestive enzymes to be released into the small intestine. Good luck, hope you start feeling better.

I am a bit confused as to what you are writing about Cortisol? I’m not sure if you are saying to take a low dose Cortisol or find some other source for it. I have been on a diet similar to SCD with few results. I am still on a very strict diet because there is not all that much I can eat without my stomach having issues. Had my gallbladder removed 7 months ago and, as a result have chronic GERD. I am taking many alternative supplements and herbs to curb the problem and they help to some extent, however; not entirely. The bowels and stomach still have issues. I have terrible IBS and pain due to the reflux in my stomach? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thank you, Suzanne

It’s not so much about replacing it… but more about fixing the root cause so your body naturally produces proper levels. Most of our clients are in severe adrenal fatigue and that’s why they are so low. So corrected the adrenal fatigue will naturally bring cortisol levels back up.

We would be happy to work with you, you can book with us here: https://healthygut.com/consulting/

Otherwise, most people trained in Fuctional Medicine are good with adrenal fatigue and you can find someone here: http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

J

Wondering if Ashwaganda is enough to boost the cortisol in adrenal fatigued people. are you aware of any studies on this?

@Marcie – Yes it’s complicated if you are already on low dose HC please read the link above about how that causes low DHEA and other complications. I’d also pick up the book “Safe Uses of Cortisol”