Low Cortisol?

I have been a competitive bodybuilder  for the past 20 years.  This last year has been rough.  May i tore my hamstring, June came a car accident, and August i ended up in ICU due to a infection from a tooth that went into my blood. My new pain mgt. / rejuvenation Doc says i have severe low cortisol and wants to put me on meds. I feel pretty good most of the time and this doc is freaking me out...

My 24 hr urine test says my Aldosterone and Cortisol levels are almost undetectable  ( <3ug /24hr).  He wants to put me on a cortisol medication.  I haven't filled the script yet but i think its methylpredisone.  Anyone know what this, any experiences...side effects? ....  HELP!

[kunyil]

I'm so sorry to hear about all the insidence happened. I was a fencing athlete, so I can feel how painful they are... What makes me astonished is your "strong heart" that showed "you are a true bodybuilder" because the essence of being strong is "heart strenght"... No one wants to get injured... not even an inch... but no one can 100% keep away from accidents that sometimes torn away our best "possession"... life must go on... what ever the "next thing" to happen, we'll have to follow it 100% as if we are in a "new competition/battle"... We'll have to be ready to face anything in our lives because we're "prepared" for it. keep spiritful... there's always silver lining in dark clouds... cheers... GBU...

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Though you have a very low cortisol level, ask your doctor whether you need a stimulation test and see. If you respond to ACTH stimulation test then problem may be in the pituitary. Otherwise it may be due to Addison’s disease. Hypothyroidism too can decrease cortisol level. Discuss with your doctor. Take care!