Thanks! I will let you know how things go with the Endocrinologist when I see him. I did some research on the best endo specialists here in Asheville and found one that had a bunch of great reviews for being open minded and listening to his patients. He see's a lot of people that have gone years without diagnosis. I will keep you posted.
Funny how your physician thinks it is depression and yet he admitted that he doesn't know the significance of your hormonal tests !
I'm glad you are finally seeing an Endocrinologist and I wish you the best of luck with your appointment !
Keep us posted...
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
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. = )
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.
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. ; ^ )
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!
"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 !
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
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
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)