ACTH Stimulation Test Results. Help!

[Charbt]

As a background, I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, for which I just began treatment. A few weeks ago, prior to treatment, I had an ACTH Stimulation Test run, the results of which are as follows:

Cortisol Basal 19.6 ug/dL
Cortisol Reference Range: AM = 3.4-26.9, PM = 0.9-15.8
Cortisol 30 min 26.7
Cortisol 60 min 21.2

Please note, this test was started at around 9:30-10:00 a.m. However, what does these results mean, if anything?  I've heard that upon stimulation, your Cortisol level is supposed to double, which mine did not.  Is that true?

[mommabear0689]

Thank you so much for your advice. You are just as sick, if not sicker than the rest of us. The stress you have trying to help others can not be good. Thank you again. Take care of yourself, others will find a way. You are truly heaven sent though..:)

[rumpled]

Treatment for primary and secondary is the same. Not everyone has a reaction to the stim test - some feel nothing - some get sick, some flush - it just does not matter.

I am getting sick - running around must have met up with someone with a cold - immune system is low.

I would corner him on the injection - make sure it is an ACT-O-VIAL and don't let the pharmacy tell you that they don't have it - they always change part numbers on the dang thing. The act-o-vial has the powder and fluid in one vial, while the other one makes you have fluid and powder in two which means either you as a sick person (and believe me, as a person in that condition, YOU CANNOT THINK) has to prep a needle, and work with two vial is next to impossible or get a total newb to to it - the other one self preps and is just one vial so it is a bit safer for us. Since most state laws will not allow EMT or EMS to give us the shot (gee, thanks for that!!! it only saves our lives!!!), you have to know and people in your house have to know - I keep instructions in my kit.

It is a handy thing to have just in case.

[mommabear0689]

I know, Im so confused. I do have brown patches on my face, and black looking freckles. I have not been in the sun all summer, but it looks like I have been to the beach a couple of times. I can get really dark during the summer, beach, horses, yard. But I have not been able to do that. I loose my tan very quick too, so Im really white during the winter. I dont know. Would I have felt better with the injection if it was primary?

Im reading, Im reading so much, my eyeballs are about to pop out. I read other peoples post, thats where I see a lot. That damn book was a waste of 20$. I laid it down, half way through. These people she's talking about is not me at all. I'm gonna keep reading post though.

Well, he did give me a little extra. Im suppose to take 10 in am, and 5 in pm. He gave me 60 tabs for 1 month. Not to much to play. The injection no, and I cant understand that. Like I said, he either gonna step up, or Ill step out. Of course, Ill wait till I have that RX in tow...LMAO..I hope you have a wonderful day.

[rumpled]

I would start to hunt around for another doctor. BTW how how how can you increase your dose if needed IF you don't have any extra in your script???

Did he give you an emergency shot (solu-cortef or solu-medrol acto-vial) with needle and something like zofran or phenergan so you don't hurl? Check out the links and see that you need one - as well as many other things. I get a headache when I am low - you could be in perma-low.

Check out the links - there is a lot of vital information there.

There is a LOT of difference between adrenal insufficiency and the fatigue thing - I don't believe in the fatigue school.

V-8 is good (if you have low K as well) and pretty much any food that attracts  you is fine - just try salty stuff - that will help you.

They should not have done the stim test if you were sick.

I find it strange re secondary if you have the spots... higher ACTH kinda makes that a bit... well?

[mommabear0689]

Good Morning. Just wanted to let you know, that in my reading this morning, I have found out that my AI, in secondary. (which my endo said) but i could not understand how without further testing. I've also found out this test can be messed up. I was suppose to be there at 7am, for a 1 hour calm down. First, my alarm clock did not go off, I was made at my-self, and my husband (I wanted to re-schedule) then it was a rush to the hospital (which is 45 mins away) they took me straight back, and started the IV. Im sensitive to new medicine, so I was scared if I was going to react. I was just in the hospital where thr=ey stuck me 5 times trying to get a vein (dehydrated) so I was nervous about that. I had a cold on top of it. The blood draw was suppose to be at 8, but because I was late it was 8:45. On top of me being sick, my nerves were a wreck!! Ok, stimulation test values again with 0.25 injection.

13.91 before
24.68  60 minutes after.

My Enod said it was secondary AI, I finally read this morning on someones post where they did not feel anything after the test. All my symptoms went away for 3 days. Of course less, and less on each day. Ok, so now I feel my test was screwed from the get go, but i understand why its secondary. So now, I want to know WHY? What else is wrong with me. He will see me this week, and he will give me some answers, or I will find another Endo. This is just all crazy! Oh, I felt yucky again this morning, and I took my magnesium, and potassium. I do feel a little better.

Temp this morning was 97.6, BP was 90/58. 4 hours later my temp was 99.1. I did not take my B/P again though. I dont know, its just all confusing. I think its a shame, they put you on HC, tell you to double dose if sick, and get a medical alert bracelet, with this stuff on it. And your left with that. Grant it, I know its my fault for not asking questions, but what he does tell me is an overload. he lost me at medical alert bracelet. Well, its not like my mind is working like it use to either. :)

Im gonna right down all my questions, and the test I want done. We'll see!
I hope your feeling well today. Ill talk to ya soon. Now I get to go take something for my headache. Is it ever ending?

[mommabear0689]

Hey rumpled, I hope your feeling well today. No, no extra. Even though he told me to double if not feeling well. I'm not even sure about what he means by not feeling well. I think my body has already adjusted to the small dose. Every day now, about 3-5 hours after my morning dose. Im nauseated. When I make it through that, then I have a sense of not feeling well/down, about 2-5. I hate to see that time of day come. My lower back/pelvic.hips, and knees are starting to hurt again, if I do anything. The last 2 days, Ive started with the vertigo again. Yikes, just when I thought it was getting better. Yes, my BP runs real low. If systolic is 100, Im shocked. Its been in the 90's, and even 80's. Heartrate is back up also. Im not sure where your from, Im from Florida. The heat kills me. For 9 months, I could not even go into the sun. If I sat on my porch, in the shade, for longer than 5 minutes, I would be soaked with sweat. Its been bad.I've been praying for some cooler weather, but i read somewhere that people are also sensitive to the cold. What the crap, is all I keep saying. I just told my husband yesterday that I think its time for another hospital stay. The fluids help me so much. It seems like I cant stay hydrated, the more I drink, the more I pee. I bet a used a whole roll of toilet paper in one day. I went to Books a Million today, to look for some information. 20 million books on everything, except adrenal insufficiency/addisons, or cushing's. REALLY? I did find 1 book on adrenal fatigue, I bought it for the diet tips. So far, I have not read anything that fits me. Im friggin tired as crap, and cant sleep. I've laid in bed so exhausted, praying for sleep, just to find myself crying because i could not. I have been able to sleep a little on the HC.

It really scares me though, Im reading, and the more I read, the more questions I have. It scares me when I get nauseated, vertigo, abdominal pains. I know my dosage is not right, but I dont see my Endo again for 3 weeks. I dont want anything to happen to me when my kids are at home. I think Im gonna call my Endo on Monday, and get in sooner, and Im gonna ask him if he can plan my care, and educate me. If not, Ill find another one.

As for friends, I have over 400 on my facebook account. I asked 2 days ago if anybody had adrenal insufficiency/addisons, or knew anybody that did. No, no, and more no. Some people had not even heard of it. Your the only support I have. Well, my family is very supportive, as is my husband, but they dont know what Im going through.

I did the core body temp thing I read about today, I just played with it today, I did not get the thermometer till this after noon. My horse got sick back in December, and I had to use my old one on him.LMAO, of course when he got better, its in the tack barn now. Sorry, I got sidetracked, anyways, it said to take your temp 3X a day. Im sure you know this, so I;; make it short. The first temp I took was 97.6, 3 hours later it was 98.9. Tomorrow I will start a log.

Im on a Magnesium/Vit D/Iron supplements. I do have some over the counter potassium. If I get nauseated in the morning, Ill try that. Im going tomorrow, and getting me some V8 juice. I can not stand water, ot the thought of drinking it everyday for the rest of me life. Any other liquids you can suggest? What about your appetite? I have to make myself eat. That has become a chore also. Well, I've had a problem with my appetite for a couple of years now. I guess I just thought the HC, would help.

The HC, has given me back so much of my life back, I guess I cant complain. At least I have the strength to take care of my basic needs now, and actually get dressed.

I just want to say thank you again, I feel like your the only person I have right now. I look forward to your messages. Heres to a good day tomorrow..