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?
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 RepliesAdrenal Insufficiency :: Is A 0.6 Cortisol Level Dangerous?
Is a 0.6 cortisol level dangerous?
View 2 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 Disorders :: Addisons Crisis Or Just Low Cortisol?
I have Addison's disease for 10 years. Every once in awhile I feel very run down and sort of out of it if that makes sense? For the past 4 days I am having a hard time staying awake. I cannot stay up for more than 2 hours at a time and have just basically slept the days away. I have a headache and feel nauseated on top of this. A couple times I have even felt dizzy. I have been doing a lot of reading (while I am awake) on the subject of addisonian crisis and was just wanting to see what some other people think that have gone through this. I have doubled my meds but it hasn't helped yet. Although I just started that yesterday.
View 3 RepliesAdrenal Disorders :: Low Blood Pressure With High Cortisol And Fast Heart Rate
I had my AM cortisol tested and it came out high. I did the blood test while fasting about 1 hour after I woke up.
My AM cortisol: 33.7 (normal range 6.2-19.4)
Could the high cortisol be the cause of my symptoms:fast heart rate (gets worse with exertion), sweating, and 15 pound weight loss, trouble sleeping?
I was researching it online and my symptoms seem to fit more with those with low cortisol than high cortisol. I've been to 5 doctors and went to the ER once because I've been feeling so terrible the past 4 months. My AM cortisol is the first thing to come out abnormal. All thyroid, liver, etc. tests come out perfectly within the normal range.
Adrenal Disorders :: Cortisol Stim Test And Then ACTH Test ?
I was just wondering what comes after a cortisol stim test for diagnosing Addison's Disease ?
I had 2 Cortisol stim tests done one in the afternoon and one in the early morning .
Afternoon test read 2.8 out of 5-15
Morning test read 3.8 out of 5-25 Both low
Do i now have a Acth test done to see if its the adrenals glands or Pituitary or Hypothalamus Producing such low cortisol ?
I have abdominal cramping , hot flashes , constipation . tired , weak and major weight loss 35 + pounds in 8 months .
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?
Adrenal Insufficiency :: Cortisol Low After Doing Dexamethasone Test
My Cortisol level after doing dexamethasone test is below normal at 1.2
View 1 RepliesAdrenal Insufficiency :: How High Cortisol Levels Can Go?
How high do very high cortisol numbers go?
View 1 RepliesAddison's :: What Was Your Cortisol Level When Diagnosed
What was your cortisol level when you were diagnosed with Addison's? I'm guessing it was 0.
View 1 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 RepliesAutoimmune Disorders :: Adrenal Stress Test
I was diagnosed Hashimotos this year.
Here are my adrenal stress test results:
Sample 1 - 3.4 (12-22)
Sample 2 - 6.1 (5.0-9.0)
Sample 3 - 4.8 (3.0-7.0)
Sample 4 - 3.2 (1.0-3.0)
DHEA:Cortisol Ratio - 2.62 (within range)
Latest thyroid function test results:
TSH - 2.50 (0.2-4.2)
Free T3 - 4.6 (3.9-6.7)
Free T4 - 15.7 (12-22)
Apparently my doctor says these are normal, yet when I am taking the Levothyroxine my Free T3 drops and my hypothyroid symptoms return. Am I missing something or am I the only one in the world with this problem? I presume the latter.
I am currently dairy and gluten free and my fatigue and constipation have cleared up since on the diet, however I retook my Levothyroxine and within 2 hours I was constipated. The only change I had made was retaking the Levothyroxine but I did increase my fluid intake, too. The reaction I had from the medication is making me doubt the benefits of it. Or could I be undermedicated at 125mcg? The nurse taking my blood last time said 125mcg is a lot for a little person like me to be taking!
So, in order to wipe the slate clean and start afresh with my care, I have since changed doctors and will be asking for the following at my first appointment:
Sex hormone profile - not just the testosterone, FSH, LH and prolactin my endocrinologist carried out but I would like to include the ones she has *missed* - the oestrogen, estradiol and progesterone. I am sure there are others in there...
Full mineral/vitamin profile - but excluding the folate, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 which were done recently and including a full iron panel.
Repeat thyroid test - why oh why am I experiencing hypothyroid symptoms AFTER I take the Levothyroxine? When I reported this to my previous doctor they have told me they will end my script for Levothyroxine since they are under the impression I get no ill effects without the medication! Are they right?
Adrenal Disorders :: Striae / Stretch Marks
Does anyone else have these with addison's , or is it mostly cushing's?
View 1 RepliesAdrenal Disorders :: Causing Salt Craving?
I have always enjoyed salty foods but over the past few years I really crave them all the time. Could it have something to do with my adrenal glands?
View 2 RepliesAdrenal 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 RepliesDiabetes :: Normal Blood Sugar Level After Meal But Have Strange Symptoms.
I have been suffering from tiredness, eye weakness, tingling and sometimes pain in my feet and forehands. One month ago My blood sugar level after 3 hours of meal was diagnosed to be 123 mg/dl. Am i at risk?
View 1 RepliesRespiratory Disorders :: Crackling Sound And Level 9 Pain When I Breath
I am 43 for several days I have been having serious pain the right side of my chest when I breathe on a scale of 1 to 10 it is definitely a good 9....when I lay on my back there is a crackling sound and lots of pain when I breathe..if I laugh or hiccup awful...coughing is excruciating...and I been having migraines only on the opposite side of my head(left side) don't know if they are connected but I never get migraines I've had about four in last two weeks
View 1 RepliesThyroid Disorders :: T4 Levels And Cortisol Levels Low?
Why are my T4 levels and Cortisol levels low?
I have been having symptoms of depression, fatigue, low libido and weight gain over the last few years. I am 50 and have gone through menopause. My latest lab results are:
TSH 1.064 (0.358-3.74)
Free T4 9.7 (9.8-18.8)
ferritin 16 (3-105)
B12 498 (156-672)
Cortisol 28 (155-570)
RBC's normal
I am not taking any thyroid meds......only nexium and Cymbalta.
What do these results mean? Can someone give me some insight into the results please?