Adrenal Gland Problems? High Cortisol not Cushings

[Sharon21476]

I am a 32 year old woman who has been battling many (what I thought was hormone) issues for years.  On and off, I have suffered severe irritability, menstrual irregularities, up and down weight, hair loss, intolerance to cold, acne on face back and chest, loss of sex drive and sensitivity.  About 6 months ago I had a cyst that ruptured on one ovary and another small one on my left that went away on it's own I assume.  Finally went to an endo because I can not take the many symptoms anymore.  I also have a goiter?  I was told that all my blood work was normal except my DHEA and 24 hr. Cortisol.  I most recently did a dexamethasone suppression test and have just found out that my cortisol was suppressed to 0. something.  Don’t know exact number yet.  Well just before I went to the endo to start all this blood work, I have developed new and much more weird symptoms.  I have been waking up VERY amped up and jittery feeling, pounding heart (resting hb will go up to 110), anxious energy.  Feel like I’ve had 25 cups of coffee…weirder yet is it seems to slowly get better as the day goes on to where I feel most normal at night.  Getting a headache every day which is not usually bad and sometimes only lasts a short while, I would say dizzy but feels more like my equilibrium is off?  Usually nausea in the evenings and sometimes morning.  The endo said elevated Cortisol and DHEA can not cause those symptoms, and to go to my PCP, which I have made an appt. with.  Is there any thing anyone can think of that would cause all these strange sudden symptoms?  I am getting the feeling that she either thinks I am a hypochondriac (sp?) or that I am suffering panic attacks?  Maybe the brain is more powerful then I give it credit for but I don’t feel depressed ever and don’t have any new stress or fears in my life.  Just over a month ago I was diagnosed with Asthma (which I never had) after three bouts of shortness of breath and given 6 days of prednisone (50 mg/day).  I only took 3 days worth as I got that red moon face and the side effects were horrible (much like the recent symptoms but times 50) and I also had the same reaction to the only 1mg of dexamethasone??  Woke up around 1am with the same symptoms times 100 and was up on and off all night after taking it :P  If it lowered my cortisol, what else could cause that reaction because I honestly thought it upped it when I felt that way?  Any answers are greatly appreciated!  Oh and over the last year or so my bp is low quite often.  Last month it was 98/58 and I have always been a 120/80 type of girl.  In fact, the very next day it was normal (120/82) when I had the nurse here at my warehouse check it because I felt that off feeling.  Is there anything anyone can think of that can cause these symptoms that is obviously not Cushings or am I just suffering from a sudden onset of some panic disorder?

Testosterone, Free        0.8 pg/ml        0.0 - 2.2
FSH                               6.1 miu/ml      3.4 - 33.4
Testosterone, Serium    64  ng/dl         14 - 76
TSH                              0.778  uiu/ml   0.350 - 5.500
T4                                7.4 ug/dl         4.5 - 12.0
T3                                153 ng/dl         85 - 205
DHEA                           805 ng/dl        112 – 722
DHEA-s    174ug/dl         45 – 270
24hr. Cortisol                155           0 – 50

[stella5349]

I too really am happy for you that your doctor is taking the cortisol issue seriously. Most patients have a very tough time having their doctor even consider that 24 hr test.

Sounds like the doctor in charge is taking everything into consideration on the adrenal issues.

Sorry about the heartburn/acid and GI issues. When I read your post it looked so familiar to me from what I had 2 yrs ago that I just had a hunch you may of had that.

You may be able to fix those issues on your own  or at least calm them down until you find your what is all wrong. Normally when you experience these symptoms I found it is a PH imbalance in the system.

You can try some ACV and filtered water to raise that PH to 6.5 -7. It may help with the heartburn issues.

Acidophillus works very well with the GI stuff too. You could try a probiotic and eat yogurt more often to get that back in check. It seems yorgurt (for me) did help with the heartburn too!

I get that dizzy spell right before I start my cycle - 2 days before - it's like my warning call! LOL

but it goes away right after it comes.

[kitty9309]

Yes, I know all about that anxiety diagnosis. That is what I was told last year when my TSH was just over the normal limit after hovering just under normal for several years at least.

One doctor even told me my tongue is swollen (see my profile) because of anxiety.

I had the ACTH Stimulation test due to my symptoms. I passed. Strangely, I was upset that it didn't explain things. It made me feel better that my endo was also dissapointed in the results.

[Sharon21476]

Yes, and she has redeemed herself by taking it seriously because I felt she was totally brushing me off.  I was feeling like I was getting lost to her in that "Anxiety" diagnosis, you know?  I was starting to wonder myself If I mysteriously developed a sudden onset of some stress or panic disorter without being stressed?

Oh that off balance feeling is terrible!   Maybe it can help other people with symptoms like mine to figure out what is going on.

I will absolutely keep posting of my progress!

[kitty9309]

It sounds like the endo is taking the cortisol issue seriously.

I have the dizzy-off balance thing due to my hypothyroidism, so I can relate to that awful feeling. Mine has been off and on for 14 years and nearly constant for the last 1 1/2. It has improved with the thyroid meds, but I am not at an optimal level yet.

You posted just fine- no extra stress there! lol

A friend of mine had a tumor that was a suspected pheo, but turned out benign. She had HBP, though. They thought she just had HBP and told them for years she thought it was an adrenal tumor! She followed her gut and was right.

I will be curious how the other tests turn out.

[Sharon21476]

Thank you all for responding!  I have been feeling like a maniac recently with all of this going on and no one to really talk to about it so it feels good to see that I am not alone (KD9ER) and that people care to give their input (stella 5349 and kitty 9309)!

My second 24hr cortisol was high again and my endo has said that even though the dexamethasone suppression test was normal, she wants me to do the midnight salivary test.  I am also to go for plasma metanephrines which is for the two adrenaline hormones (not even going to butcher the spellings).  I do share some of the symptoms of a pheocromocytoma except the biggest which seems to be high bp.  Mine fluctuates between normal and low, so that coupled with the fact that a "pheo" is very rare, I find that unlikely.  

stella 5349 - I do sometimes have some fluctuations between constipation (that is most recently what plagues me) and the opposite end.  Lots of heartburn lately :P  Thank you for the info on the suppliments and Dr J Wilson.  I will look into both!

kitty 9309 - thank you for your info as well!  I am 5' 4" and about 120 so no problems with obesity.  I don't suffer from depression either.  I read stress can bring it up but I was not stressed when all this started a few weeks back, however the symptoms  have me stressed now lol!  Maybe that is a contributing factor.  I am going to my general doc. to get a cbc and some others to rule out infection, anemia (never had a problem with before) or something else non-endocrine?

I will check back.  New to this site and trying to figure it out lol :)  I hope I post this response right!!

[kitty9309]

A very normal TSH and t3/t4 is not subclinical hypothyroid. It is normal thyroid function.

A high urine cortisol result requires more testing. It can also be elevated due to depression, obesity and infection.

Here is a link regarding the test:

http://www.providence.org/healthlibrary/contentViewer.aspx?hwid=tw12871&serviceArea=generic#hwtop


Just saw the results of your Dex Supression Test. It is normal for the cortisol level to decrease to less than 1.8, so your test looks normal and is not Cushings.

Have you had a follow up with the endo yet?

[stella5349]

Your endo is wrong - you can have exactly those symptoms with an imbalance of cortisol

www.adrenalfatigue.com

Your T3 is on the lower end (which if they didn't do a Free T3 it really is not a proper test)  That accompanies a "normal TSH ( which again cannot soley base a hypo thyroid problem)  then you are classically sub clinical "individual" hypothyroid with very hypothyroid symptoms.

You are being run through the protocal as millions of thyroid patients get with all the avenues this doctor has you going in. Welcome to the world of inadequent endocrinology.

Your not a HYPOchondriac - you are HYPOthyroid with symptoms.and in adrenal distress. Not Cushings - just fatigue.

Yes you have panic - it is the #1 chemical reaction to HYPOthyroidism and adrenal fatigue. Meds can help you until you get treatment and relieve those issues. BUT don't fall dependant on them either.

Going out on a limb here - but are you suffering from IBS or acid reflux too? I am betting you have some issues.

Asthma is confused often with chest inflammation due to HYPO symptoms. Again - most docs treat one aliment at a time instead of looking at the whole picture - so shoving an inhaler or predisone at you is easier than really getting to the root problem.

Predisone is horrible for hypoT symptoms and bring them on terribly! especially if there is a possibility of Hashi autoimmune with your goiter issue.

You have two issues that are present maybe three IF you get antibody proper testing.

1 adrenal imbalance - and until this gets put back to a functioning mode you will not get your thyroid under control

2 Believe it or not - you are subclinical hypothyroid - maybe Hashi (if you get the right lab work)  TPO testing and US scans.

You look fine on your FSH to me - and at your age you should be still OK - I don't see an issue there.

DHEA goes hand in hand with the cortisol - there is an issue you need to correct.

I recommend you get as much information on adrenal fatigue/exhaustion as you can - A good source I found helpful was Dr J Wilson's information on Adrenal Fatigue. also get on supplements to help you with that.

Vit C - Vit B  6-8 and 12 - magnesium - zinc and sea salt are definate repair supplements to get those adrenal back functioning right. Again you will find those resources on Dr. Wilson's book or site. You may find seleium helpful too.

[KD9ER]

Wow, you sound strangly familiar.  Am I looking at myself in a mirror?  Ok I don't have answers, because like you I'm still trying to get answers.  I just know you have so much in common with me for symptoms.  I was told to research and have the docs look into adrenal fatigue.  But I will bump for a better answer by one of our more educated members.  

Bump.