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Best test for adrenals
Hi, there, I have Hashimoto's disease. My endo tested my cortisol after breakfast and my blood levels were 7.8. He said my adrenals were fine. How reliable do you perceive this blood test? Do you know ranges for blood work?
I am on a high level of T3 and T4 thyroid hormone. My frees are in the top 1/3. I am gluten free. I'm still just so tired around one o'clock. I have to take a nap every day.
Thanks in advance for answering my question.
:) Tamra
I am on a high level of T3 and T4 thyroid hormone. My frees are in the top 1/3. I am gluten free. I'm still just so tired around one o'clock. I have to take a nap every day.
Thanks in advance for answering my question.
:) Tamra
You can get ringing in the ears any time thyroid levels are off or if you just changed meds, or doses.
"I am thinking I felt better when my TSH was 0.10 instead of the 4."
- .1 is on the hyper side, 4.0 is on the hypo side. Cytomel only for a short period is the standard treatment for reverse T3. After the RT3 clears, then go back to taking thyroid med with some T4 in it or a combo of T3 / T4.
"I am thinking I felt better when my TSH was 0.10 instead of the 4."
- .1 is on the hyper side, 4.0 is on the hypo side. Cytomel only for a short period is the standard treatment for reverse T3. After the RT3 clears, then go back to taking thyroid med with some T4 in it or a combo of T3 / T4.
I took the saliva test and it showed that my cortisol levels were okay in the morning and then continued to go down. The doc said my was the second to the lowest at the clinic. So I started taking hydrocortisone and my ears have been ringing ever since. They wanted me to try Cytomel also. Cytomel seemed to increase the ringing. My blood test said my cortisol is okay. The Doc said the blood test is not as reliable. After taking a little Cortisol my second blood test showed my cortisol level went up. I am beginning to think I would rather be tired then to have this ringing in the ear. I am thinking I felt better when my TSH was 0.10 instead of the 4. something now. I am lost at what to do. I have fibromyalgia also. Hasimoto and Reverse T3. Does the Cytomel help the ringing in the ears>
11am is not the time to test - you need to test at 8am, fasting.
As LM pointed out, the tests differ, I can tell you why. There are a few cortisol tests, blood, urine and saliva. Blood tests check for serum cortisol. Urine and saliva check for free cortisol.
The blood and saliva tests are point in time, that is, if you are not high or low at the exact time of the test, that is it.
The 24 hour urine test is an average. Many docs like this test but in my case, (I was testing for Cushing's, high cortisol), I was so high at night and so low during the day, it appeared normal even though I was not normal.
Free cortisol tests can be impacted my medications - like birth control pills, pain meds, etc, that will bind on the free cortisol and lower the results, making them artificially lower. So you may appear sick and you are not. As well, the body can produce cortisol binding globulins and bind cortisol anyway - again, you are not sick, but appearing sick.
It is easy for the tests to contradict. That is why it is important to have a doctor that know why it will or why it will not, and how the tests work.
As LM pointed out, the tests differ, I can tell you why. There are a few cortisol tests, blood, urine and saliva. Blood tests check for serum cortisol. Urine and saliva check for free cortisol.
The blood and saliva tests are point in time, that is, if you are not high or low at the exact time of the test, that is it.
The 24 hour urine test is an average. Many docs like this test but in my case, (I was testing for Cushing's, high cortisol), I was so high at night and so low during the day, it appeared normal even though I was not normal.
Free cortisol tests can be impacted my medications - like birth control pills, pain meds, etc, that will bind on the free cortisol and lower the results, making them artificially lower. So you may appear sick and you are not. As well, the body can produce cortisol binding globulins and bind cortisol anyway - again, you are not sick, but appearing sick.
It is easy for the tests to contradict. That is why it is important to have a doctor that know why it will or why it will not, and how the tests work.
If you dont mine, PM me on what he looks at for Hashi patients. Like any tests besides the 24 hr saliva. By the way its a little spendy- mine was $150 last year!
Some chiros / holistic docs are pretty smart on this stuff. I'm trying to learn more about this, so other viewpoints are welcome.
Its interesting how the two tests can have contradiction.
Some chiros / holistic docs are pretty smart on this stuff. I'm trying to learn more about this, so other viewpoints are welcome.
Its interesting how the two tests can have contradiction.
Hey, LM! I am going to a chiro on Tuesday who specializes in auto-immune. I sent him an email and he said he checks adrenals for Hashi. I have a feeling he will order the saliva test. thanks for your response! :) Tamra
Hey Tamara - A regular cortisol test from an MD will vary from lab , like thyroid testing. Additionally there is also two ranges, one for AM and one for PM. Around noon is when the adrenals levels change - not really the best time to test, oops.
But if you get a 24 hour adrenal saliva test, it tells the story at four times during the day, (last is 11 PM), each time also corresponds with a different range.
Its funny, MD's dont generally order 24 hr saliva testing, but they will acknowledge there importance. Maybe its just because most insurance wont accept it.
The ATCH (wrong order?, too may acronyms in my head) is good to get too.
But if you get a 24 hour adrenal saliva test, it tells the story at four times during the day, (last is 11 PM), each time also corresponds with a different range.
Its funny, MD's dont generally order 24 hr saliva testing, but they will acknowledge there importance. Maybe its just because most insurance wont accept it.
The ATCH (wrong order?, too may acronyms in my head) is good to get too.
No, I didn't see the test or ask for ranges. I will ask my endo's nurse. No iron test, but I'm taking a prenatal vitamin. I have been low iron in the past.
Thanks for responding,
:) Tamra
Thanks for responding,
:) Tamra
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