Posted by pseudoname on November 2, 2005, at 9:40:19
In reply to Re: HEY SOME LITERATURE! Pseudoname and » linkadge, posted by katekite1 on November 1, 2005, at 22:05:36
> For me it turned out to be hyperthyroidism.
> the thing to do is get "thyroid antibody" testsHmmm. I've tried ADDING synthetic thyroid (my levels are always normal), but I haven't considered a subclinical overactive thyroid. That may well be worth considering. I will bring this up with Pdoc.
> When you are ill your cortisol is "used up" more
Last time I had my levels checked, cortisols were (supposedly) normal while I was depressed. The one dexamethasone suppression test I had was negative, but perhaps it would be worth repeating. Things change, after all. I would bet my cortisol levels run high: how could they not, given my stress levels?! LOL.
> Unfortunately my body adjusted after about a week and that no longer helped.
That happens so often for me! I believe my brain really WANTS to be depressed.
> I would love to hear back Pseudoname ... this is a major clue ... I would mention to a doctor and push them to look into it
Kate, thank you for your encouragement. I see my pdoc tomorrow and I will bring this up.
I wondered if my "flu cure" might have involved endorphins – either an increase or a reduction of them. I have wondered for a long time whether some regulator in my brain is set way too low and shuts down reward processes at the slightest excuse. Perhaps part of my initial immune reponse involved a release of endorphins that overrode my usually stingy control circuits? Maybe I felt better because of increased endorphins? But I don't know if endorphins are released in an initial immune response...
Alternatively, maybe my endorphin levels were reduced as part of the immune response. Lower endorphin levels allow more dopamine, and high endorphin levels decrease dopamine. I just don't know.
I'm considering this in part because at tomorrow's appt I'm going to try to get my pdoc to help me find a prescriber of buprenorphine, which blocks kappa opioid receptors. The kappas are the ones that shut down the release of dopamine when they detect certain levels of endorphin.
> Now it turns out I have a thyroid tumor...
Are you okay??
poster:pseudoname
thread:574184
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20051031/msgs/574481.html