I can't get my stress under control

[IRL]

Since last year, I've noticed a slight increase in bodily stress over time, but I haven't been able to identify the root cause or get it under control.

I had my blood tested and found that my cortisol levels are high.
I experience the most stress in the morning and evening, but it persists throughout the day, manifesting as palpitations, sweating, hair thinning and loss, and a constant feeling of being "wired." Additionally, I've noticed that my armpits tend to sweat excessively and smell really bad when I'm under more stress, no good sign.

I've tried addressing this by increasing my intake of sugar (having more sweets like chocolate), calories, nutrients, magnesium chloride, potassium, and salt but i didn't do much.
I've also taken K2 MK4 and high-quality ashwagandha extract for a few months, which has helped with slightly general stress reduction, but my baseline stress levels remain too high, making it difficult for me to relax anytime during the day and night.

My diet is on point for the last 3-4 years (peaty and local seasonal eating, I live in Europe) and not much changed.

Does anyone have any idea what my problem could be?

[Peatful]

If cortisol is high
Means thyroid is “low”

Eating Peaty
Whatever that means
Eating Peaty I see related to eating restrictively and or orthorexia

Are your temps good?
Waking then again after your first meal in a relaxed state

[GlucoseGal]

@IRL was going to say, check your thyroid

[IRL]

@Shar_to_the_dae @Peatful My thyroid levels (FT3, FT4, T3, T4) are all within the normal range or slightly on the higher end.

When I say 'eating peaty', I mean consuming unprocessed balanced macro, nutrient-dense foods and maintaining a normal to high calorie intake.

My body temperature is normal/good, with only a slight drop after eating, likely due to the lowering of stress hormones.

[Peatful]

@IRL said in I can't get my stress under control:

@Shar_to_the_dae @Peatful My thyroid levels (FT3, FT4, T3, T4) are all within the normal range or slightly on the higher end.

When I say 'eating peaty', I mean consuming unprocessed balanced macro, nutrient-dense foods and maintaining a normal to high calorie intake.

My body temperature is normal/good, with only a slight drop after eating, likely due to the lowering of stress hormones.

If someone has their temperature drop after eating
And as you said -lowering stress hormones
It also reveals that you are not meeting your metabolic needs

Either calorically or macro wise (ie unstable blood sugar) or you are not digesting it well possibly

If you want to look more objectively
Such as labs
Look at your reverse T3

[IRL]

@Peatful Hi, I understand, I'm lately eating more but without much difference in stress reduction. I forgot to mention my RT3, it's in the high end, 250 pmol/l (135-320pmol/l reference range).

[Milk Destroyer]

I was of the assumption that ashwagandha increased nitric oxide and potentially cortisol?