Question on blood test results

[Ozzieandharriett]

I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and have been on hydrocortisone ever since. I went for several blood tests, some were not done because it says the specimen was not suitable. They were supposed to be frozen. The drs office says they may have one frozen tube, but will send me a script if they need these tests retaken.
My AM cortisol was still only 1 even though I have been on the cortisone. Also, it says my IGF I is elevated. I can't get an appointment with the endo until May, any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks and have a great weekend!
MaryAnne

[Ozzieandharriett]

They haven't said anything except to call if I don't feel well and keep in close touch. I guess I will just have to wait until my appointment in May and see what other tests the Dr wants to do. Thanks again for your help.

[rumpled]

Are you on florinef to help the BP? Salt tabs? That may help with energy too as low BP robs you of energy...

Are they looking in to the high IGF-1?
Some of the labs go by age - some just have a straight range... They need to do more than one test.

[Ozzieandharriett]

Hi Rumpled,
I had weight loss and have low BP. My first cortisol was zero a week before my surgery. The enodo's office said I definitely have an adrenal insufficiency, but I am not sure if it is primary or secondary.
I looked up the results of IGH1 for age 55. They were approx 67 to 231. My result was 305 and I am 58. I am only on cortisone right now. Thanks for your help.

[rumpled]

I am on dopamax too - it helps to some extent.

Did you get copies of your tests - how elevated was the IGF-1? Cortisol usually suppressed IGF-1... IGF-1 can vary a lot though - it cannot be used for diagnosis - they would have to give you a stim test. IGF-1 pulses so it can be high one minute and low the next.

Yes, some people I know are on ritalin like meds.

If you have low cortisol - you should get a stim test to make sure the adrenals are at fault and it is not test error. Just testing once at one time of day is not perfect. Cortisol normally varies and you could also have a loss of diurnal rhythm. High and low cortisol have similar symptoms - where they vary is weight gain vs loss and high vs low BP (but that is not perfect either!).

[Ozzieandharriett]

Hi Rumpled,
I do have a headache almost every day and I am on Topamax for nerve pain, Topamax is supposed to prevent headaches. I have some vision problems, but I am 58. Nothing else, except I am recovering from the cervical fusion.
I thought the cortisol would be higher than 1.
The tests you mentioned are the tests they are trying to get a sample for. They might have one.
I was so awful yesterday, I slept from 2pm  yesterday till 10am today. I got up early and took my cortisone at 7:30 this morning and crashed
again. I was wondering, do they ever give stimulants like Ritalin? I am so exhausted all the time. I can't get an appointment with the endo until May, but they said to call for any reason and keep in close touch. I also have visiting nurses for the next few weeks ordered by my family dr, because of the fusion and the low cortisol.
Thank you so much!

[rumpled]

What was the test? My doc office will not do frozen tests but send me to a lab and even the lab can goof up the specimens too - like my ACTH tests are always messed up. Renin is another frozen one.

Do you have symptoms of high growth hormone - changes in your jaw, hands, feet, face - headaches, visual changes?