Last year when my thyroid tested low, I started taking thyroid medication...then adrenal medication...and then everything went sideways. I got jittery, I got achy, I got palpitations that kept me up. And I was so confused as to what was causing what. 

Here’s what I’ve learned: 

1. Minerals are upstream of your adrenals, which are upstream of your thyroid. I tried solving my problems bass-ackwards.
2. Get your iodine, iron, magnesium and potassium sorted out. (I did start with iodine, which was a good thing. Thanks, Dr. Davis!) 
3. Check your adrenals with a 24-hour cortisol test. If you’re tired or wired at the wrong time of day, have frequent colds, even digestive problems, or a long list of other problems, it could be your adrenal function. I take adrenal cortex (Seeking Health) and sometimes hydrocortisone cream. 
4. Finally, do your thyroid. I am now off my NDT (natural desiccated thyroid)--my low thyroid was caused by what I now know to be lifelong adrenal problems. 

Hat tip to Dr. Davis, Bob Niland, Nora Gedgaudas, and Janie Bowthorpe for helping me piece everything together.