HIgh cortisol?

[thepurselady]

Hello

I am a tall thin woman age 37 who has been experiencing hair loss and fatique.  I have had dozens of tests including thyroid.  All have been normal.  I am on yasmin the birth control pill as we thought this a hormonal hair loss issue

I just happened to get a blood cortisol test and it came back at 54mcg in the am which is double the normal limits.  Does hypothyroidism cause elevated cortisol levels like this?  My docs think I might be subclinical thyroid and dont seem to fit standard cushings disease body type and symptoms

Thanks for your assistance and thoughts.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

mild hypothyroid does not do this -- would consider more thorough cortisol testing like a 1mg overnight dexamethasone suppression test OR a 24 hour urine.  Stress may cause the high cortisol.

[GravesLady]

Without knowing all three of your thyroid levels with Labs reference range, it is impossible for us laypersons to know what is going on with your thyroid via cortisol. From what I understand a high cortisol  level  are found in Cushing's syndrome,  thyroid issues, obesity, ACTH-producing tumors, and high levels of stress. Chronically elevated cortisol levels lead to muscle loss, fat gain, immune suppression and reduced ability to repair tissue damage following intense workouts and these are just some of the effects.  Prolonged stress and cortisol exposure can also damage heart and blood vessels, shrink brain cells, break down bone tissue and increase the risk of depression, diabetes and other illnesses.

If you post all three of your thyroid levels with Labs reference range, will tell more of the story to what might be going on.

GL
I'm not a doctor,
So please don't shoot the messenger!

[thepurselady]

Hi

My tsh was recently 1.7
Antibodies negative

I am on Yasmin - I have had lots of hair loss all over scalp and some on brows - scalp burns and hurts very bad.

Out of request I asked the endo to test my adrenals - he was very reluctant and stated that cushings would shock him - due to my slim frame. It came back double the normal in the am.  I just finished a urine test should know next week.  Also he did a 17 hyroprogesterone test that was normal.

Was told that thyroid can cause elevated cortisol, wondering how elevated it can make it?

Doctor does Cushings typically mean cortisol is elevated all the time morning, noon and night? Through Saliva mine drops to normal levels in the late afternoon and evening

Thanks for your help.

[GravesLady]

Not knowing your Labs reference range but using mine as reference, according to your TSH level does not indicate thyroid and is in normal  range.  Hypothyroid, I believe is low function.
Normally cortisol levels rise during the early morning hours and are highest in midmorning (about 7 a.m.). They drop very low in the evening and during the early phase of sleep. However if you sleep during the day and are up at night the pattern may be reversed. The absence of this daily variation which is known as diurnal rhythm in cortisol levels may be one of the first signs of overactive adrenal glands, especially Cushing's syndrome.

There are many ways to control cortisol levels and these strategies can simultaneously benefit health and performance.
Eat a balanced diet, get adequate rest, and regular exercise can help the body adapt and respond to stressful events. Controlling individual stress responses with various relaxation techniques can help modulate cortisol secretion and normalize metabolism. Keep well hydrated. There is some recent science showing that dehydration causes cortisol levels to increase. Consume plenty of water.

Good luck with your search!

[thepurselady]

HI does the doctor post here anylonger?  Just curious I have not seen him respond to any posts for awhile.