Cortisol levels?

[ShannieK]

Hi went to my specialist, and am more confused I think.  She confirmed my Hashimoto's diagnoses, did and ultrasound, that came back with alot of scar tissue, but other than that normal,  I was glad.  But I have so many symptoms, she said I have alot of symptoms related to an elevated cortisol production and is going to have me tested?  Anyone know much about this?  I have purple stretch marks on my abdomen from rapid weight gain, I told her I can gain 15 pounds in one week and not even try, I'm kinda nervous what she might find.  Any thoughts?

[Jimlow]

ShannieK,
Back when I first was diagnosed with hypo, I didn't get the expected symptom relief and research I did mentioned LOW adrenal hormones could worsen symptoms of adrenal insufficiecy if you start thyroid med but do not first correct the hypo-cortisolism. As far as HIGH cortisol, there is probably an effect there as well because your thyroid and adrenal hormones interact and they even call it the Thyroid-Adrenal-Axis. Clinically low cortsol is called Addison's Disease and high cortisol is called "Cushing's Disease" (use this term to search)
I did home tests (four) that showed I had consistantly low cortisol but probably not severe enough to be called Addison's but more of probably "adrenal Fatigue" or Adrenal Exhaustion. Non of my Dr.s took it seriously, so to this day I may still have a degree of it.
Will they be ckecking your cortisol levels, if not already?

[ShannieK]

Hi, they are going to be checking my cortisol levels, and other tests associated with that somehow.  i would love to have some answers to why I am feeling so terrible all the time, but after doing some reading on that cushings disease, that is kind of scary.  If my cortisol levels are off, I would be high, because those are the symptoms that I have.  I was however happy to hear that my Hashimoto's has not progressed much, she will also be checking all those levels too, to see where I'm at, haven't had a TSH since April.  I started to get frustrated whent the doctor started talking diet.  I realize I am overweight, but have gained so much weight in this last year, until I put it on paper, I had no idea how bad it was, she started talking diet and exercise, and just really didn't seem to listen when I mentioned that I do all of that and nothing helps, it wasn't until she saw the purple stretch marks on me that she believed maybe I was gaining weight too fast, and now she wants to know why.  None of these gland things sound too great.  I thought thyroid was bad, but they talk about chemo and stuff to treat Cushings, I'm hopeing I don't have that.  Thanks for all your input.  She scheduled 17 different things she wants me to have tested tomorrow.  She also is going to have me do a 24 hour urine to check my cortisol levels as well as blood work.  We will see.  I'm kinda nervous.

[Jimlow]

Shanon,
I had the 24-hour urine done which revealed mine was low. The rannge for adult males age 18 and over was <119 and my result was "10.7".
I would be curious to find out what your reading is on that one.
WOW, that's a lot of tests their ordering for you! Unlike me, I hope you have some type insurance. Mine were all out of pocket because I'm self employed. There's insurance out there for self employed but with pre-existing condition, it wouldn't have benefitted me.

[ShannieK]

Hi jimlow, just received insurance, it's terrible not to have it.  I am anxious to see those cortisol tests as well, kinda nervous.  I looked up info on Cushings disease and was frightened at the fact that I have so many of the symptoms, but ya know, so many of those same symptoms are related to thyroid disease.  The one thing  the endo is primarily looking at though is that I keep gaining weight, for no reason and at such a rapid pace, and I have alot of hair loss, the top of my head is now almost bald, it's terrible, and very noticeable.  I Have started the thyroid treatment and it appeared that my hair loss has stopped for the most part, but it hasn't even begun to grow back, this makes her believe other things must be involved.  I've also had some female hormone testings done to check all that, and it came back normal.  I had just heard so many stories of women haveing thyroid problems and than it turned out to be a lack in estrogen.  But that wasn't the case with me, that is all fine.  I will keep you posted to all my results when they come in.  Went in to have blood taken today, and they took 6 vials.   When the were done, I asked if there was any left?  Ha Ha