Adrenal Antibodies Test

[ar1281a]

Hi Shanon and JimLow,

Don't know if you read my posting but got my results back and my Adrenal AB testing came back negative!!!
This doesn't mean that there could be other things but can't test while on the prednisone. I'm going back to see the endo and try to figure out what's wrong w/me. My blood pressure is still too low (especialy standing) and can't go anywhere and I really need to go back to work. However, they don't want me back unless I have a release form from my Dr (they got really scared when I was taken out in an ambulance last week). I'm also going to see an allergist, my primary wants me to see if there's any possibility that my body is still reacting to the spider's bite. I'm not so sure but going anyway, I think he's trying to "wash his hands" and sending "the problem" somewhere else as he has no idea what's wrong with me. Any ideas of what additional tests I could suggest my endo to request?

Thanks a bunch in advance again!
BTW, my name is Andrea

[Jimlow]

Andrea, If I'm reading that name right, you are female, so sorry if I referred to you as "he" etc... ANYWAY, I'm glad your Abs were negative for adrenal. That would exclude autoimmune adrenal insufficiency but I wonder, did they check your actual cortisol levels? The reason I ask is because there is what's called "secondary adrenal insufficiency". I hope I'm not sending you on a wild goose chase by mentioning this. I think I mentioned a home saliva test that's available through GSDL, Inc., that is as reliable as a blood test. It is marketed as "BodyBalance StressCheck" and one company that carries it is at web-address; www.testsymptomsathome.com  and I believe costs under $60.00. It tests your 8:00AM & 12:00PM cortisol/dhea levels.
I too may not have autoimmune adrenal insufficiency (hope not) and am being tested for it in Aug. 16th but regardless, I know FOR A FACT, I have "hypocortisolism" (another name for A.I.).
It might be your best bet, to see if the allergist can determine if your body is sill fighting the spiderbite, before spending money on other tests. What kind of spider bit you? If you know the kind, you might research on the web to see if it says how long it takes for the reaction to subside.
I would be curious what kind it was and also confirm, you are a women, so I don't say he, him and hey fellow.
I hope you get answers soon and start feeling better.

[ar1281a]

Hi JimLow, thanks for your message. Yes, I'm a woman :-)

Yes, my endo mentioned the corticol test but she also said she couldn't do it as I'm on prednisone (steroids) at the moment and the result would be abnormal. She said that there were other tests she'd like to do but needed to wait 'til I'm off the steroid medication they put me on due to the allergic reaction. I'm glad I don't have the AB, but as you mention (and my endo did too) a stressful situation like what my body went thru with the anaphylaxis could've triggered something else. Maybe I was having very mild symptoms of adrenal ins. that got increased after the allergy. Now that I've been reading more about it, I remember feeling a bit weak a couple of months before the incident, some muscle fatigue that I attributed it to lack of excercise. So we'll see.
No, I have no idea what bit me as it was dark. I was walking my dog wearing flip flops when I felt something very hard biting me. Didn't pay attention to it and just within minutes my blood pressure was dropping like the wazooo(sp?), which is one of the effects of having an anphylactic shock.
Also, all of this situation has made me wonder if there's any correlation b/t AI thyroid disease and severe allergic reactions. Maybe the allergy is a different type of AI disease? I can only wonder as, of course, I'm not a Dr and have no idea what I'm talking about.

Thanks again!!!

[Jimlow]

Andrea, one additional mention is that A.I. Thyroid disease does cause increased chemical sensitivities, in fact they call it "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities". I know since having Hashimoto's, I have extreme sensitivities to caffiene and chocolate. I always had some sens. to these but it got really worse. It could be you had a more severe reaction because of your thyroid. I also have sensitivity to alcohol. I found this out kind of accidentally. I drink very occassionally and in June, my wife and I celebrated our 22nd anniversary with a bottle of Champaign (rare for us). I admit I finished off the bottle because it was not a large size and started feeling sick, which lasted several days! In my old days, before I reformed (lol), I could drink most people under the table. I'll never do those things again, since being a Christian but I know for certain that reation is a result of the thyroid disease!

[ShannieK]

Hi, I just got back from having my adrenal antibody blood taken.  I just wanted to let you know, that they said it's a pretty extensive test and sometimes the results don't come back for at least 7 days.  I knew that you were anxious to find out the results, and aren't having the test done until the 16th.  I'm from a pretty small town, and maybe this lab takes longer than others, but if it's the same everywhere than i wanted you to know.  I have a note here from my doctor stating, that my test results indicate to her primary Adrenal Ins. in early stages.  What does the primary mean?  I noticed above you mentioned a secondary Adrenal ins.  I hope that my AB come back negative, I'm thrilled AR that yours did, that's great news, but i'm with Jim, just cause the AB came back negative, does not mean that maybe your cortisol levels are off and may need treatment.  Along with my AB test, she is retesting my cortisol and ACTH, to confirm and see if the last readings are accurate.  I really don't want the AB's, but I just have feeling, that I might have them, based on all my symptoms, and how terrible I still feel, even after starting thyroid treatment, and the fact that I do have Hashimoto's and there is a connection of sorts.  I'm anxious for some medicine to correct the problem that has been making me feel so sick and tired for about a year now.  I wonder if finding the correct dose for this is as challenging as controlling my Hashi's?  Any advice?  Shannon

[ar1281a]

Hi Shannon,
Based from what I've read, primary adrenal ins. means that your adrenal glands are dmaged due to the fact that your body produces antobodies that attack them. Sort of like with hashi & graves in which one has a different set of ab attacking and damaging the gland and thus not producing enough cortisol and maybe other hormones. Secondary adrenal ins. refers to lack of enough cortisol but due to the pituitary or something else (based on what I've read again). I've read that treatment is not that hard and I wish you the best with your results. That's why I mentioned that my endo wants to do the other tests but need to wait 'til I'm off the prednisone. Again, best of lucks!!! the best is finding out what's wrong so you can start quickly your path to feeling much better!!!!

[rpup]

hi there!  I just came upon this forum, so I have lots of catching up to do.  I have lupus, hashimoto's and was treated for secondary addison's almost 2 years ago. I suppose like many of you I am searching-for answers and for anyone out there experiencing the same symptoms. Unfortunately, it seem no one can or will give those answers, especially when you have multiple diseases. To chene, I just wanted to say that I never sweat, had heatstroke when I was 4 years old, and now at 44 my intolerance is-well, intolerable lol!  I find that even in an air-conditioned room the heat somehow manages to get in and wipes my muscles out completely, as well as headaches and dizziness.  To ar1281a (I think this is right), I just wanted to say that although my endo and rhem both said they couldn't do the cortisol stimulation test because of my steroids, I demanded it because I was so sick I couldn't stand it. the idea was that the pred would give a higher and inaccurate reading. They got me down to 10 mg prednisone, and did the test. Even on that dose, my test came out with almost no adrenal function.  I had ACTH injections for 6 months, and luckily got back my pituitary function and a low normal adrenal function.  Still, I am a mess lol and would love to know why.