Aa
Low cortisol midday, should i be concerned
Hi,
I had a 24 saliva stress test done from Geneva Diagnostics lab. Started at 9am when i got up, next one at 2.30pm.
Not sure if i should be concerned or not by the results? The lab said midday and nighttime levels were too low:
Sample 1 13.20 nmol/L Reference range 5.56-22.2
Sample2 2.3 Reference range 2.45 - 8.12 Low
Sample 3 1.7 Ref range 1.54 - 5.56
Sample 4 1 Ref Range 1.17 - 3.18
Does this mean i have adrenal fatigue? I wouldn't say i'm exhausted all the time but i do have bad fatigue at times. Or could it be something else. I've read CFS and autoimmune diseases can cause hypocortisol.
Seeing gp tomorrow but i imagine he wont care as NHS.
Thanks
Liz
I had a 24 saliva stress test done from Geneva Diagnostics lab. Started at 9am when i got up, next one at 2.30pm.
Not sure if i should be concerned or not by the results? The lab said midday and nighttime levels were too low:
Sample 1 13.20 nmol/L Reference range 5.56-22.2
Sample2 2.3 Reference range 2.45 - 8.12 Low
Sample 3 1.7 Ref range 1.54 - 5.56
Sample 4 1 Ref Range 1.17 - 3.18
Does this mean i have adrenal fatigue? I wouldn't say i'm exhausted all the time but i do have bad fatigue at times. Or could it be something else. I've read CFS and autoimmune diseases can cause hypocortisol.
Seeing gp tomorrow but i imagine he wont care as NHS.
Thanks
Liz
Yes... I had a reversed rhythm when I had Cushing's. It pays to test several times to see how you are over time - you cannot really judge accurately on one test. It takes a set of testing to show a trend.
AI is a salt wasting disease so you would show issues with sodium and potassium. I run very low in sodium. In my case I also run low in K when sick which is opposite of normal - most spike.
AI is a salt wasting disease so you would show issues with sodium and potassium. I run very low in sodium. In my case I also run low in K when sick which is opposite of normal - most spike.
Coritsol is supposed to decrease gradually through the day and only be low at night.
I'm worried i'm on the verge of adrenal insufficiency.. I had to take tricyclics during last project to cope with my migraines which go chronic during out projects. And i felt on verge of a breakdown, i was having such bad mood swings.
Hi
Yeah i used PubMed too. Google scholar is for all the science journals i think. I know some are better than others though, i do check what i'm reading for accuracy.
The papers i could find, said that the midday value should be about half the morning value, and mine isn't and most papers i looked at backed that up. The only reasons for low cortisol are autoimmune disorders, PTSD and Chronic Fatigue syndrome, that i could find in science papers! :(
My gp said the diurnal rhythm can vary for different people though so i guess i have to accept that. But he said cortisol give you your 'oomph' But i still feel terrible fatigue, especially at night. And i'm barely doing any work for 2 months. So should be more relaxed! I'm dreading the next big project which kicks in next week :(
Yeah i used PubMed too. Google scholar is for all the science journals i think. I know some are better than others though, i do check what i'm reading for accuracy.
The papers i could find, said that the midday value should be about half the morning value, and mine isn't and most papers i looked at backed that up. The only reasons for low cortisol are autoimmune disorders, PTSD and Chronic Fatigue syndrome, that i could find in science papers! :(
My gp said the diurnal rhythm can vary for different people though so i guess i have to accept that. But he said cortisol give you your 'oomph' But i still feel terrible fatigue, especially at night. And i'm barely doing any work for 2 months. So should be more relaxed! I'm dreading the next big project which kicks in next week :(
I usually use pubmed, where the doctors publish.
Being low at midnight... You are supposed to be low then. If you don't rise at other times then the doc should be concerned. Read up on circadian or diurnal rhythm.
Being low at midnight... You are supposed to be low then. If you don't rise at other times then the doc should be concerned. Read up on circadian or diurnal rhythm.
Oh sorry, one more question. Sample 4 was taken at midnight and it was below their reference range...
Thanks for your advise.
He is going to test it at 9am, a blood test. I think i will wait til during my project deadline though, and do it then, to see if my cortisol goes higher, then that will show it's working ok, wont it?
These sites are scientific papers, read on google scholar?!! I dont trust the sites you are probably referring to either, i only had the test done because i was feeling so exhausted after my last work project, even 2 months later.
He is going to test it at 9am, a blood test. I think i will wait til during my project deadline though, and do it then, to see if my cortisol goes higher, then that will show it's working ok, wont it?
These sites are scientific papers, read on google scholar?!! I dont trust the sites you are probably referring to either, i only had the test done because i was feeling so exhausted after my last work project, even 2 months later.
When is he checking it?
When I was testing for elevated cortisol, I tested at 8am and midnight. Those times are diagnostic. The same goes for low. CFS tends to throw a lot of things in, including elevated cortisol so I don't have much faith in those sites, sorry.
Fatigue can be so many things from vitamins to other hormones to diet to weather to ... Well it is endless...
When I was testing for elevated cortisol, I tested at 8am and midnight. Those times are diagnostic. The same goes for low. CFS tends to throw a lot of things in, including elevated cortisol so I don't have much faith in those sites, sorry.
Fatigue can be so many things from vitamins to other hormones to diet to weather to ... Well it is endless...
Gp is just checking my cortisol again but said ignore the readings for the rest of the day. Is this correct?
Yeah sodium and potassium are normal. I dont believe i have adrenal insufficiency as my symptoms aren't bad enough but i am tired a lot, especially in evenings for a while...
The lab said Sample 2 (midday) and Sample 4 (night time) were lower than normal though? Do you know why that would be?
I've been reading papers but they only mention autoimmune disorders and fatigue syndromes. One CFS website mentioned allergies can cause hypocortisol levels too?
The lab said Sample 2 (midday) and Sample 4 (night time) were lower than normal though? Do you know why that would be?
I've been reading papers but they only mention autoimmune disorders and fatigue syndromes. One CFS website mentioned allergies can cause hypocortisol levels too?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Adrenal Insufficiency Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
