Addison's :: Understanding Low Cortisol
About two months ago, I had mentioned to my personal trainer that I was feeling very tired with low blood pressure. This had been going on for a couple months, on and off every couple of weeks. He mentioned that it could be cortisol-related.
I went home and did a lot of researching about the issue and found that I matched a lot of the symptoms of low cortisol. I went in to see my doctor a couple days later. When I mentioned that I thought it was low cortisol, he said that the adrenal glands usually do the job and that it probably wasn't that. He tried to prescribe me anti-depressants which I declined, and then ran a few blood tests, along with an AM only cortisol test (it was about 11AM).
The test came back with a level of 17 mg/dL of cortisol taken at 11AM. However, he said my blood sugar was 54 which was very low. Also, my Vitamin D was below normal ranges. Some other counts were off, but nothing that really pointed to anything that could be causing what I was feeling.
I took a multivitamin for a few weeks. I had also been congested in the back of my throat for two months, so I went back to see the doctor if he could do anything about that. He determined it was a sinus infection, and prescribed Cefuroxime for two weeks to get rid of the congestion. I asked if that could help my fatigue to which he said it could help.
So I finished the two week round of antibiotics, and now it's two weeks later and I still feel horrible. Here's the main things that I am experiencing. I really don't feel depressed and feel like I enjoy life a lot.
- Inability to wake up for work. I wake up around 9AM, and feel like I haven't slept at all. I previously had to wake up around 5AM to get everything done in the morning
- Feeling of drowsiness through the morning, up until noon. Sometimes like today it will last all day.
- Extremely low blood pressure while standing. This starts around 2PM every day and lasts until around 5PM. I usually don't fall down and just black out, but recently I fell because after standing up and injured my knee.
- Fluctuations in appetite, I will eat a TON of food with out gaining any weight (5-6 meals a day), but I exercise a lot so this isn't super concerning. My weight is constant.
- Itchy red eyes when I wake up
- Exhaustion when sitting, feels like I should lay down but not low blood pressure
- Hypoglycemia, my blood sugar is really low in the mornings, and then again in the evenings before dinner. Between that it feels fine but I don't do regular testing on this to know for sure.
Also I am 20 years old male and a competitive cyclist. I eat very healthy foods (although a lot to keep up my activity). I live at a high altitude (7,400ft).
Adrenal Insufficiency :: Cortisol Level 1.2 At 8:00 AM - Low?
I just got my blood drawn at 8 am for my cortisol levels were at 1.2 is this low?
View 1 RepliesMorning Cortisol Level Of 9.2 - CRH Stim Test?
I was just given the ACTH stim test for a morning cortisol level of 9.2. There was a good response from my adrenals, but doesn't this just rule out primary adrenal insufficiency? My signs and symptoms are: worsening fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, headaches, pain & pressure in my sinuses ( but no drainage), slight visual changes in my left eye, poor libido, mood swings! My doc said my results were normal and does not intend to work up any further. Shouldn't we do a CRH stim test to rule out a possible pituitary problem?
View 1 RepliesAdrenal Insufficiency :: Is A 0.6 Cortisol Level Dangerous?
Is a 0.6 cortisol level dangerous?
View 2 RepliesCushing's Syndrome :: Midnight Cortisol Level Means?
Does anyone know what this midnight cortisol level means? range Midnight <75 my level was 74.5
View 9 RepliesAdrenal Disorders :: What Is Normal For The Cortisol Level At 9.00 In Morning?
I am concerned about my test I have had recently...my blood pressure is a little low and when I am sleeping it is dropping to 81/51. My cortisol is 357 at a 9.00 in the morning. I have been having some very bizarre symptoms.. I started with sudden dizziness and numbness in my arms 6 months ago they tested me for stroke tia but it was clear.. then the symptoms started to get worse fatigue, pains in my legs, back pain, feeling sick, dizziness just feeling generally unwell... does any on no what is normal for the cortisol level is at 9.00 in the morning.. I think they are testing me for addison disease.
Adrenal Insufficiency :: Low Morning Cortisol, High Afternoon Cortisol
First off, I am a 30 year old female, and I've had an array of crazy symptoms for years and have gone undiagnosed (well, misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome). I've also been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, PCOS, Endometriosis, and autonomic dysfunction. My symptoms range from debilitating fatigue, hormonal symptoms, dizziness and fainting, and inability to keep a pregnancy. Over the years, I have had consistently low levels of cortisol, but now things are changing. My 8:00 am cortisol level is 2.1, and my 1:00pm is 21. It went from low to high in my results. They were suspecting secondary adrenal insufficiency before due to the consistently low levels, but with that new afternoon level, I am really confused. Also, I have extreme fatigue in the early morning (have to drag myself out of bed) but I get a giant boost of energy at night and have trouble getting to sleep. My NP thought the cortisol levels could explain that, and she gave me a prescription for Cortef in the morning and sent me to the Vitamin store to pick up Phosphorylated Serine and Adrenal Adaptogens to control the nighttime level. She didn't address why this could be happening, and I was worried about taking the Cortef with those high afternoon levels, so I recently switched to an endocrinologist who repeated the afternoon test. I've just looked at the results online and it is high again. I'm so confused.
These are the exact results shown on my endo's site:
MAY 19: 3p ACTH 19 NL; CORTISOL 21.1 ; 21 HYX AB NEG; RENIN 3.48 NL; ALDO 12 NL; NA 139 NL; DHEA-S 153 NL
I will say, I do have INTENSE dehydration and sodium loss that has caused me to become a neurological patient as well, and I down 2-3 32 oz Powerades a day and consume probably 10-15 times the normal sodium consumption levels as my neurologists have suggested in order to keep my from getting dizzy and passing out all the time, so that may explain why my sodium level looks fine. But that cortisol... how could it start the morning off low and end up high later in the day? Does anyone else have any experience with this?
HI Cholesterol Level With HbA1c Level Closed To Pre-diabetic
I had a blood test around 7 months ago which showed my blood sugar Hb1AC to be close to pre-diabetic levels, which freaked me out. My cholesterol was also a little high.
I cut down on sweet things (which I love!) a lot, and had my blood tested again a few weeks ago. good news is that the blood sugar levels have dropped, triglycerides low, liver function great. HOWEVER, my cholesterol has leapt to 6.6! So annoyed!
The nurse quizzed me on my diet and the only thing we can pinpoint is that I eat a lot of cheese, so have started eating low fat cheese or not eating as much in general. I generally eat what I consider to be a healthy diet, oily fish, veg, etc but not sure what to believe.
I read that a high fat diet is now the way to go with low carb, but whilst this seems to have helped with blood sugar, it has not done my cholesterol any good.
I have to go back in 3 months. Anyone else had this type of result?
Addison's Disease :: Interpretation With Hypothyroidism
I am 38 and have Hypothyroidism. I recently had a cortisol test and my initial results came back at a level of 210. I was told that the normal range was 150 - 650 ( or thereabouts ) and as my test was at 9am these levels should be much higher.
I have been refereed to see a hormone specialist but am just curious to know if anyone had an initial level of 210 at peak time and didn't have Addison's. Or, indeed they did have it?
Could it be adrenal fatigue? which is why I went to the drs as I read about on a thyroid website.
Hydrocortisone For Primary Addison's Due To Pheochromocytoma
My daughter is taking hydrocortisone for primary Addison's due to Pheochromocytoma. Does anybody know if she should be taking something to help prevent osteoporosis??
View 1 RepliesAddison's :: Craving For Salt And Always Thirsty
I'm wondering what the "typical" dose is for fludrocortisone? I've been taking .1 mg for past several years, but doesn't seem like it's doing anything. I'm thirsty all of the time, and am consuming liquids all day it seems ... and yes, I add sea salt to my water. Could it be that this gets worse the longer you live with the condition, and so may require more of the med to help with sodium retention? I'm clearly not retaining extra water weight as I'm extremely thin (87 lbs). My doctor doesn't seem to have a clue and just tells me to keep drinking water. I pretty much don't rely on doctors anymore with this condition. I've grown tired of educating them about Addison's/ Adrenal Insufficiency. So I figured I would ask here and see what others take and if anyone has had to increase their fludrocortisone.
View 10 RepliesAddison's :: ACTH Stim Test- What Results Indicate?
I am being tested for Addison's Disease and just received the below test results. I don't see my endo until 12/4/13, and wondered what the results might indicate. Any thoughts?
Historically I presented with low Cortisol and High ACTH.
* After a Dexamethasone Suppression test my blood cortisol was less than 1mcg (whatever that means)
* 17 Alpha Hydroxyprogesterone was 849
* ACTH Stim test results:
Baseline- 10mcg
30 min.- 13mcg
60 min.- 15mcg
High Sodium Levels And Addison's Disease?
Curious if anyone knows what it means to have high sodium levels and Addison's disease? My sodium levels came back at 238 I've had more testing done but this one was the more extreme in numbers.
Anyone else have high sodium results?
Addison's Disease :: Low Blood Pressure And Dizzy Spells?
A few months ago my blood pressure plummeted-and recently I've been EXHAUSTED. I have to nap daily and have no energy. My blood pressure today at a GI appt was 75/62 the week prior it was 75/53. I've had several drs comment but I never really get noticeably dizzy as I've had dizzy spells on and off all my life. But with this utter exhaustion my GI said I should follow up asap w my primary dr.
Also, for years I've had upper left sharp stabbing pains-we've suspected my pancreas but scans are always clear.
Does this sound like it could be addisons? I'm not sure what else could cause this low bp (which is not normal for me)-I had my heart checked recently, was fine.
Addison's :: ACTH Stim Test Results - Could It Be An Error?
I have so many Addison's symptoms, and in March my AM cortisol was 8.75, so low-normal. I was sure I would have a diagnosis after my ACTH stim test. Unfortunately, I've hit another dead end. Here are my results:
8am baseline reading - 12.82 ug/dl
30 Min after injection - 20.88
60 Min after injection - 24.44
I was stressed about the procedure to begin with. Then the nurse who drew my blood could not hit my vein and it was a very painful process as she continued hunting for it. It hurt so much I was almost in tears. This happened for the first two draws, and then I finally asked for a different nurse for the third draw. She hit my vein with no problems as most do since I have very prominent veins. I was so upset. Also, they had me walking back and forth between the lab and the waiting area after each blood draw.
Is it possible that my results were skewed by these factors?
I experienced an adrenaline rush shortly after being injected with the ACTH, and until about 5pm my heart was pounding pretty hard and I felt lightheaded. Is this normal?
Adrenal Disorders :: Addison's Disease - Connection With Irregular Periods
My daughter is 19. About 18 months ago she started having panic attacks, feeling nauseous and shaking and becoming quite distressed. After counselling and medication it became controlled. She still suffered episodes of shaking and feeling as if her blood sugar was dropping. She has had episodes of lightheadedness and passed out at work , being out for about 10 minutes. All her tests have shown as normal to now, however something is suddenly causing these events. She has had bp, eeg, fasting bloods- glucose and thyroid function, all normal. She is awaiting a 24 hour eeg now. I read about adrenaline crashes and Addison's disease recently and its connection with irregular periods, which she gets and Vitiligo, which she has a small patch of. Is it worth discussing tests with her GP? they seem quite happy to put her regular visits there down to anxiety though.
View 1 Replies8 Years Son - Addison's - Skin Pigmentation, Black Freckles And Tired
My son ryan aged 8 has been diagnosed with addison's, this has only been 2 weeks, tell tale signs are skin pigmentation and black freckles, he was poorly but has picked up but reluctant to be very energetic and seems to be tired easily, as this is early stages not sure if this is normal maybe someone can advise, he won't walk so its car or taxis to everywhere, he also has heart murmur, we are still awaiting test results to see why glands stopped working,
View 1 RepliesPolymyalgia Rheumatica And GCA :: Overproduction Of Cortisol
A few thoughts and questions after reading Penelope Leach on not leaving babies to cry and not subjecting them to over rigid routines. Well, I'm on her side entirely. Why add to the sum total of human misery? Bossy I may be but I'm not a control freak and some of these child experts are really scary.
But that is by the way. For PMR/ GCA sufferers I thought the interesting part was her information on the effect on the brain of overproduction of cortisol. I expect most of us are past the developing brain stage which is so vital in babies but we'd like to preserve what we have. I can certainly vouch that the 78 year old brain is definitely NOT unaffected as I have posted elsewhere. ( No Prednisolone )
Mrs. Leach also mentions that cortisol is an easy hormone (? ) to monitor through saliva tests. Given that unwanted reaction to prednisolone is not unusual, I wonder is anyone has ever been interested enough to run some tests. Maybe some of us who are not very big are over prescribed. Maybe we could benefit from taking the drug other than at breakfast. Eileen H's Alternate Day Therapy looks interesting.
I'm willing to donate some saliva and take the swabs and record the results. God forbid! I am not medically qualified. As a long time teacher I just hate to think of all the wasted evidence that could be freely available. I must say that I have always found vets much more open to and ready to share information but I guess they have more time for which we willingly pay than NHS doctors who are rationed to 10 minutes a patient. This is not a criticism of NHS or doctors, just a belated recognition of how right my old headmistress was in 1947 when she said "This will not work; it takes no account of human nature. She was an expert on human nature. Of course, she was not entirely right. It DOES work very often but it is abused and therefor has never been able to develop its full potential.
Adrenal Insufficiency :: Low Cortisol Of 1.1 - Hashimoto's?
I just had a AM cortisol lab of 1.1. Over the last 6 months I have been told I have Hashimotos.
What does this mean?