Please Help.

[briiaa]

I have been having problems for the last two years. Severe hypoglycemia, dizziness, hair loss, heart palps, fatique, fainting spells, blood pressure fluctuations, and tachycardia just to name a few. It got really bad after I had surgery two years ago.  Well I mentioned adrenal Insufficiency to my doctor because I had been under a tremendous amount of major stress. Well I am now labeled a hypochondriac. Doctor's ignored me for a year. I took it upon myself to order some test on my own and this made the doctors mad and told me that there was no reason to do that. I order a cortisol test and the results were Cortisol was 8.6 at 8 AM Range form lab states 6.5-19.4. Acth was 52.9 range 7.2 -63.3.  The doctor again said this was normal but order random Cortisol which came back as follows:


Cortisol 5.9 taken at 11:28 AM range 4.5-22.7.

ACTH was 50.6  range not given.

ALDOSTERONE 8.7 Range 0.00- 30.0

They state that these are all normal levels.  I feel they are borderline. My hypoglycemia is awful during the day but almost non-existent at night.  If I try to do housework for more than 15 min my blood pressure goes up and I get dizzy. If I stand longer than 15 min. I get dizzy. Any moderate activity or stress can make me bedridden for days. She doesn't think a PM cortisol is necessary. My theory is that if I my Cortisol is 5.9 at 11:28 AM, what is it at 4:00 PM. Could this be why I am extremely fatigue and dealing with hypoglycemia? If anyone has any comments, I would greatly appreciate it. They said my heart is fine and thyroid is fine.  I have orderes a saliva test against my doctors wish. They seem to think that trying to find answers online is classic signs of hypochondria. Please help. They have prescribed anti-anxiety meds.  

[rumpled]

I cannot comment on adrenal fatigue but for AI, your ACTH may have been higher... Was the tube chilled and did the lab tech spin it right away? It degrades as soon as it is drawn so if it sits in the bin...

11:28am is not a diagnostic time for testing cortisol.  8am fasting is a good time. You also need to know sodium and potassium and other tests.  One test is not enough but 4pm is usually not a diagnosis time either, midnight is better.

[Cartybabe]

Hypoglycemic feeling are part of adrenal fatigue. Having the ranges along with your numbers will make it easier for anyone to help you. If your doctor is not taking you seriously then find another doctor. Normal levels don't mean you feel well. Most doctors don't believe in adrenal fatigue. Only the extremes of addisons or cushings disease. Find a holistic, integrative or functional medicine doc or naturopath if you can't find a regular me to help.