Black Currant Bud - 15ml

CORTISONE

If you’ve tried everything to boost your adrenals, maybe it’s time to talk to your doctor about using low dose cortisone to get you feeling more like yourself again.

Most people know cortisone as a steroid drug. Anyone who understands steroid drugs know that it’s not a drug you want to be on. However, it is not well known that cortisone can be used to treat adrenal fatigue. In low doses, cortisone has been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and gives the adrenals a chance to rest.

What is Cortisone?

Cortisone, also known as hydrocortisone, is a steroid hormone that is only available by recommendation from a medical doctor. Its chemical structure is closely related to cortisol, which is the main hormone released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. Cortisol is the well known “stress hormone” that is responsible for rapidly preparing the body for the “flight or fight” response.

Cortisol is produced when something is (or you think it is) threatening you and you start to feel your heart pound, blood rushes to your heart and your large muscles, your pupils dilate and your pain tolerance increases. You may recognize this feeling when you suddenly need to make a lane change while driving to avoid an accident, or the more subtle feeling of when you push your body to work through fatigue. If you experience regular, chronic stress with little chance to rest and recover, then you eventually will weaken your adrenal glands and can suffer from adrenal fatigue. For more information on adrenal disorders, click here.

What is Cortisone used for?

First commercially produced in 1950, cortisone has a long history of use for reducing inflammation throughout the body as it lessens swelling, itching, redness and allergic reactions. Cortisone injections are used to reduce pain and inflammation in a specific area, commonly in joints. Cortisone is also used to suppress the immune system in autoimmune diseases and organ transplant. Topical hydrocortisone cream is often used for eczema or dermatitis. However, it should be noted that these uses do not address the underlying cause of the disease, but can be useful when symptoms are severe or life threatening.

Interestingly, cortisone has been used to treat adrenal fatigue. Some doctors have found that low dose cortisone, 5-10mg, used in the morning and lunch time has been useful in reducing the common symptoms of adrenal fatigue, especially fatigue and blood sugar imbalances. Most people find that this treatment works very quickly and dramatically to improve the symptoms of poor adrenal function.

Some studies show that low dose cortisone is effective in treating chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, especially if cortisol levels are found to be low. Testing may include, 24 hour urine cortisol levels, salivary cortisol levels taken at different times of the day and ACTH stimulation testing.

How does Cortisone work?

Being a steroid hormone, cortisone is a very strong medication that mimics the effects of cortisol. Classically, cortisone has been used in large doses and is used for its anti-inflammatory and immune suppressing qualities.

During the flight or fight response, the body shuts down the immune system and redirects blood to the vital organs needed to react and move, including the heart and large skeletal muscles. This immune suppression is what makes cortisone a useful and life saving drug. However, cortisone is also associated with numerous serious side effects associated with large doses and long-term use including, suppression of adrenal gland function, decreased immune function, osteoporosis, gastric ulcers, weight gain, fluid retention, high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.

However, in those suffering from adrenal fatigue, a low dose of cortisone gives the adrenal glands a chance to rest, so they can heal. By relieving the symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue, it gives the individual a chance to address the stress in their life and start to make changes in their lifestyle and diet in order to address the cause of their “burn out”. At this time it is unclear what the long-term effects of low dose cortisone therapy are.

How do you use it?

Again, cortisone is only available by recommendation from your medical doctor. It is usually administered by a nurse or doctor in the office or clinic. Larger doses are used to lower the immune function to reduce inflammation, pain and the symptoms associated with autoimmune diseases. For adrenal fatigue, some doctors suggest a low dose, 5-10mg, of cortisone taken in the morning and at lunch time. It is often preformed on a monthly basis.

CORTISONE QUICK FACTS

SOURCES

Cortisone, hydrocortisone, Cortef (natural cortisone available by recommendation), sustained release cortisone

APPLICATIONS

Adrenal fatigue, anti-inflammatory, immune suppressant

DOSAGE

Adrenal fatigue – 5-10mg morning and lunch

WORKS WELL WITH

vitamin C, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), B complex

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This is a recommendation medication. In large doses over long periods of time can cause suppression of adrenal gland function, decreased immune function, osteoporosis, gastric ulcers, weight gain, fluid retention, high blood sugar, high blood pressure. Use with the advice of a medical doctor.