Multiple low test results

[pietiangel]

I have been on this forum before trying to figure out what is wrong with me and have maybe come across an answer.

I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me regarding my low test results. I wonder if I have Addison's Disease or some other hormonal disease.

                               My result                                           Ref Range
DHEA                    


Pregnanetriol                   0.48 L                                        1.00-3.90
allo-Tetrahyrocortisol       0.15  L                                         1.10-5.60
Tetrahydrocortisone, THE 3.40 L                                          4.60-11.60
11 HSD index                 0.38    L                                         0.93-1.37
Androstanediol              


Androsterone                   0.48   L                                         2.30-9.70
Etiocholanolone               1.24    L                                        2.40-9.40
11 Keto-androsterone    


11 hydroxy-androsterone  0.28  L                                          1.30-4.80
17 Hydroxy-corticosteroids  5.30 L                                        10.20-23.60
17 Ketosteroids                 2.38     L                                      9.90-30.60    
E/A 5/5a ratio                    2.6   H                                         0.7-1.9
THF/a THF ratio                  7.67  H                                       0.70-3.20
Anabolic/ Catabolic Balance  0.45  L                                     1.00-3.86
Estone                              16.66                                          2.40-46.80
Estradiol                             2.01                                          1.20-15.60
Estriol                                

Aldosterone                           3.9 L                                       6.0-44.0

I am sorry I have so many, I didn't include my normal results because there would be way too many. I did a 24 hour urine hormone test here at work and have not seen a doctor about them yet. I work in a lab and get free tests every year so I decided to do this one because of my symptoms.

Decreased sex drive
Severe weight loss
Dry brittle hair
Dry eyes
Irritability
Depression
Mood swings
Muscle Fatigue
Confusion
Back pain
No period for 6 months now
Many more, but can't remember all right now. This has been going on for 4 years now. It all started after the birth of my daughter (my first child). I started having major issues with weakness and concentration. I also lost sex drive and I am only 28! I should be in my peak now shouldn't I? Almost every hormone on the test I took is really low or non-existent. I know that something is going wrong with my hormones or adrenal glands, but no one will listen to me when I have mentioned hormones before, maybe they will now, since I have had this test done. I wouldn't have known though if it weren't for my complimentary testing here at work and digging for answers myself. I was wondering if anyone else has had these hormones tested before and if they were diagnosed with some kind of hormone deficiency? Could it be early menopause, Addison's, cancer, what? I am so frustrated at the way I feel right now that I want to just go to sleep and have someone wake me when they figure it out. I am so tired all of the time despite sleeping 8-9 hours a night that I can hardly play with my kids. They are 4 and 1 and they wear me out! :0) I would appreciate anyone that might have some insight on this.

Thanks much!
Pietiangel

[pietiangel]

Sorry, for some reason it erased my results on 3 of the one's above

DHEA   (too low to detect)
Androstanediol    (too low to detect)
11 Keto-androsterone  (too low to detect)

[PlateletGal]

I would definitely see an Endocrinologist ASAP. I would also consider checking your cortisol level and doing the ACTH stimulation test.

All the best,

PlateletGal

[pietiangel]

Thanks PlateletGal! I thought about seeing an endo but I have to see if the one here will let me come without a referral or if I have to wait and ask my GYN. I feel horrible and know now that my hormones are too low. I wonder if this can cause some of the neurological symptoms I have been having too. My urine cortisol free level was low normal being 37 range is 20-90. I am probably going to try the salivary test we have here at work if my GYN suggests that I need to check my salivary cortisol rather than 24 hr urine. I have heard of the ACTH test, but am not familiar with what it shows or what they do. Have you had this done before?

Thanks for your help!
Pietiangel

[PlateletGal]

"I have heard of the ACTH test, but am not familiar with what it shows or what they do. Have you had this done before?"

I had a low cortisol result and so my Endocrinologist prescribed the ACTH stimulation test. If I remember right, they will draw your blood and then inject you with the hormone. About an hour later, they will take another sample of your blood. If my result had been one point lower, I would have been diagnosed with Addison's disease. Instead, I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. I have had undiagnosed CFIDS for many years and I guess it started to really affect my adrenals.... very common with CFS/CFIDS patients. Severe prolonged stress can also cause adrenal dysfunction as well.

I'm not sure about Addison's disease causing neurological symptoms, but CFIDS certainly can and does.

Good luck with your appt. and be sure to keep in touch !

[pietiangel]

You have really helped me very much, thanks! I tried to call the endo here in town and they will not take me without a referral, but I know that my GYN would probably refer me, forget my pcp doing it. He thinks I am crazy :0) I am now, if I wasn't when this all started! hehe. Well, thanks so much and I hope you are feeling well today and you keep in touch as well!

Thanks again!

[PlateletGal]

All the best... remember to keep in touch and follow-up, especially if you have a CFS diagnosis. Most physicians don't know how to treat these things (rolling my eyes). I would also consider firing your PCP.  ; ^ )

[pietiangel]

What kind of physician do you see for the CFS? I am definitely changing my pcp soon! I will keep in touch and let you know how things go. One of the docs that work here to explain results to our physicians that use us is going to help me understand the hormone test results I just received. She couldn't talk to me until Wed. but that is better than waiting until the 19th to understand them. I will be better prepared for my appt too if I understand the results better, this way I can ask any questions that I have that our doc didn't answer here at work.

[PlateletGal]

I see an Endocrinologist. However, my Endo is one of the very few specialists who is interested in CFIDS and he said he's been seeing and treating CFIDS (AKA: CFS) patients since the 70's.

I'm going to send you a private e-mail with more information... so check your inbox. = )

[pietiangel]

My doctor called me today and said that he doesn't know the significance of the hormonal test I had done and that he will refer me to an endocrinologist. Finally! He is probably just doing it to get me off of his back. He still thinks that it is just depression, duh! sometimes depression is caused by hormones is it not!? Sorry, had to vent just now :0) Thanks for listening to me, I really appreciate the time you take to write me back.

Thanks again,
Pietiangel

[PlateletGal]

Funny how your physician thinks it is depression