I am a 47-year-old woman who experienced chronic lifestyle stress for the past few years that made me ill.
Please, everyone, do some research and reading on adrenal fatigue/exhaustion! Most conventional docs don't even recognize it as a health issue, but it is almost epidemic now because of our stressed lifestyles. Adrenal fatigue can range from mild to extreme.
After doing A LOT of reading/research, I realized that my "diagnosed hyperthyroidism" was actually a SECONDARY condition that came about because of my exhausted adrenals.
I'm taking lots of supplements (research "adaptogens" - ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice root), plus other various vitamins/supplements. The liver often will not function properly, also, with the adrenal issue. Taurine is a good supplement to take, and one you may want to research, too.
The adrenals are - most of the time - the PRIMARY SOURCE...the other hormone issues (i.e. thyroid) are often SECONDARY.
Look up adrenal fatigue. I have the same symptoms and it has been a very slow process to heal. Most days I can't walk very much - my legs get very weak within 20 minutes. Depending on how "shot" your adrenals are, it may take up to 2 years to heal, and you need to rest often and try to keep stress (especially mental and emotional stress) to a minimum. You will have to change much of your lifestyle in order to heal.
It's difficult for others to understand how you feel. I don't "look" sick. It often seems that people just don't get it. Thankfully, I have a wonderful fiance who supports me emotionally and financially, as there is no way that I could hold down a full-time job in this condition.
Certain personalities are more prone to adrenal fatigue - if you are driven, motivated, often helping others and ignoring your own needs, and have a difficult time "settling down" and feel you always need to be productive, you may have adrenal fatigue. Oftentimes, those with adrenal fatigue have, in the past, achieved much and would consider themselves successful individuals. When you get ill, it's very depressing because you feel like your life has been taken away from you. The adrenal condition, hormonally, will also affect your mood and cause you to be depressed. The depression and mood swings are also due to the abnormal hormone levels, as well as outside circumstances.
Look up "adrenal burnout syndrome." He gives more details about adrenal insufficiency as related to personality.
You can also take actual (animal) adrenals (in supplement form). Oftentimes these will help because your adrenals are not making enough cortisol and/or adrenaline, and you need to get these hormones from another source, at least temporarily. You can get adrenal cortex supplements, which are ONLY the cortex, and ONLY contain cortisol, not the adrenaline. Most of us with adrenal fatigue and/or hyperthyroid issues do NOT need adrenaline, but definitely need the cortisol to help calm down (I often have heart palpitations, anxiety, and am very "on-edge" mentally, ready to explode at times).
Hope this helps! Please contact me directly if you have any questions.
Veronica