Hypothyroidism/adrenal problems

[tantemorte]

Hi,I'm a left-kidney live donor.
I donated the left kidney to my friend about 2 years ago.Follow-up was virtually non-existent and I have to rely on my new family doctor(the old one retired,sigh) who of course has no experience with donors whatsoever(double sigh).My trouble is that I cannot get my energy back.Not even my pre-donation level,but energy at all,I always feel lethargic,fatigued.
My family doctor insists this is because I'm hypo-thyroidic,her reasoning being that this has been a pre-existing condition for me since before the donation.I can't quite take this at face value,because A.,this condition has never bothered me before,in fact,I've never been symptomathic and i'm not now,either,except for the bloodwork and B.,i've only had this fatigue issue after the donation.I used to have endless energy before the donation,working a full-time job,taking care of my friend (which,what with in-center hemo and all the other health issues/etc is a full-time job unto itself) and juggle everything else.People thought I was hyper.I'm not even cold...
I've been reading about the left-kidney/adrenal gland issue and it seems to fit better.
What I was wondering,did anybody run into a similar issue of hypo-thyroidism,with or without adrenal issues...wondering if it is thyroids,is it donation-related???
Getting really frustrated with the fatigue and all the little niggling issues...
Any input would be appreciated.

[lawphi]

It seems someone posts every six months regarding possible adernal issues.

Your best bet is to get a second opinion or see a specialist.  It could be your thyroid issue has gotten worse due to age or hormones. 

[tantemorte]

Update:
It turns out there is no hypothyroidism issue.Lifelabs screws up TSH results is all.All my thyroid blood work down in the hospital labs comes back normal.
However,the fatigue has still not gotten better.Adrenal is low normal but not low enough to warrant the risk of medication so for now I am on vitamin supplements. I wish I knew what my cortisol levels were pre-donation.I suspect a declining GFR is not helping matters.
By the way,if the only response one can muster is the kind my post has garnered,why do you even bother posting it?It's useless and insensitive and as it's been pointed out in other posts,this kind of attitude is what discourages LDs with issues from speaking up.All I was looking for is other donors' experiences,to find out precedents.If I want to get shot down,I'll just go talk to my transplant team...

[lawphi]

I am very sorry.  I didn't mean for it to come out that way.  Please forgive me.  Seeing that it was late at night, I likely was multitasking. 

I am certain I meant to add to search for other postings as a guide.

My husband has had three transplants and been a life long renal patient. 

Has your team sent you to an endocrinologist? 

[Mizchelle]

I can relate I am definitely colder since the surgery, BUT... I have had surgery in the past and noticed that to be the trend.  I've been told in the past that it can take 6 weeks to 6 months for your body to fully flush out anethesia from the body.  I'm 4 weeks post donation and my hands and nose stay cold but all else is fine, so I'm not worried much.

You're body has been through a lot and it takes time for it to adjust.

[Oldnslow]

It took a while for me to recover energy levels.   I donated in the winter so exercise (walking) was more difficult due to ice and snow.   Quilts helped with the cold.   By a year I was easily back to normal for exercise, etc.   it happens gradually so it is hard to put a specific time as to when I felt fully recovered.

[elephant]

Dear  tantemorte,

I also struggled with continuing fatigue after donation.  In my case the fatigue was because I developed ulcerative colitis, which is an autoimmune disorder.  I do not think it was a direct result of the donation.  However the physical stress of major surgery may have been a trigger.  Adding an hour (or three when I can manage it!) of sleep helps.

love, elephant

[donor52]

Hello,
I was hypothyroid before I donated my right kidney. After donation my energy levels etc were far lower than they should have been (9 months after donation). I saw my thyroid specialist who said any shock/stress to the body, whether an operation, over physical excertion, or emotional stress - puts extra work onto the adrenal and related hormones which of course included thyroid. Having thyroid blood test proves nothing i am afraid, as there is a wide range in which the results are normal. Yet for some people those "normal" readings are abnormal for them. My results would always come back normal and it took me collapsing many years ago for them to admit I had a thyroid problem even though blood results were "normal".  But if the adrenal is under performing then the symptoms can be very similar. Also an under performing adrenal will eventually have a knock on effect on the thyroid.

To find out of your adrenal is under performing, do the basal temperature test. To do that do the following over a 2 week period.

1. Get a good quality digital mouth thermometer.
2. First thing in the morning, before you even put the light on or get out of bed, befofe you even talk if you can - take your temperature and make a note of time and what the temp is. It is important it is the very first thing you do, as any activity can raise temperature. Also don't drink or eat anything immediately before.
3. At night time befofre going to bed, be relaxed i.e. not after a hot shower and not after immediately getting undressed. So relax in bed with no activity for around 10 minutes, then take your temperature again. Make note of time and temp.

Try to take morning temp after 6am but before 9am and try to take same time each morning if possible.
Night time, try to take it after 9pm but at a regular time each day if possible.

Do this for 2 weeks.

Compare the results. Now normal body temp is 37 c - though it can vary for individuals.  To show you how the adrenal can be checked, when mine was underperforming, my night time temp never went above 36.20 and my morning temp never went above 35.60 - a clear sign that my adrenal was under performing with those low body temperatures over 2 weeks.

Another test to do is stand upright with feet together and close your eyes. Can you keep your balance easily or do you waver around a lot? do that for 6 seconds then straight away open your eyes and put one foot in front of the other heel touching toe, as though you are about to walk a line. With eyes open can you now keep your balance with feet toe to heel. If you find it difficult and cannot easily do this, agani another sign of under performing adrenal.

If under performing adrenal is not corrected then in time you can get adrenal exhuastion or adrenal fatigue which then will affect your thyroid as the two need to work together.

I got my adrenal back working properly by taking the correct supplements which included various vitamins and adrenal supplement. If you feel your adrenal/thyroid could be a problem, regardless of what the doctors say .... i.e. listen to your body!! then suggest you join  a thyroid forum and post questions there as they will be able to give you the answers you need. I belong to the UK one (anyone can join as nationality has no effect on the hormones, lol) just google for Thyroid Patient Advocacy (TPA).

[Mizchelle]

I donated 6 weeks ago and I’ve noticed a major difference in energy.

I'm not sure if it correlates with the surgery physically or mentally.  I was extremely high-strung before the surgery but have mellowed out mentally and physically since (with the exception of being very short-tempered a few times).  I'm tired and sleeping longer. Before the surgery I didn't stop till I dropped and got an average of 5 hours of sleep per night, so I've viewed this as a positive (productive, but not a healthy lifestyle).

I do appreciate reading the information posted on this subject as it’s brought about the awareness of keeping an eye on my disposition being a possible symptom.