Is a morning cortisol level of 8.8 too low or normal?

Question

I have had many symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency for about 7 months. I just had my cortisol level checked for the first time and it was 8.8 ug/dl at 8:25 AM. It is in the "normal" range (3.7 to 19.4 ug/dl before 10AM) and my doctor didn't seem concerned. Nevertheless, there are a lot of resources on the internet that seem to suggest this level is too low. Could someone help shed light on the topic? Is it too low or is it normal? I am new to this and it is confusing. Thank you for any help you can give!

litlikemoonlight · Answer

you need to ask for an acth stim test.

doodiesma · Answer

I had one morning level at 2.2 and another day it was 3. I have ALL the symptoms of adrenal fatigue AND hypopituitarism. However, when I was sent to the endo, she said my labs looked fine and disregarded all my symptoms! I am in the process of getting in to see a different endo, because all the symptoms I've been having for so long now are really really affecting my quality of life! How do I get a Dr to listen and take me seriously! ? I just suffer every single day and have to spend a lot of time in bed because I'm too weak and tired. ..

Maimunka17 · Answer

I went to my Endo and complained of extreme fatigue, increased thirst and urination, back pain, feeling dizzy.  I also have Hashimoto and goiter, thyroid hormones, antibodies, metabolic panel were all normal.My 8am cortisol was 7.0 so she did another blood serum test and the second time the morning cortisol was 8.8, same results as yours.I still feel weak and thirsty, also pale and with dark circles around my eye. However, the endo is very by the book and I don't think she will do the acth stimulation test :(. Anyone on this site, have you had similar cortisol results and later been diagnosed with Addison's or another hormonal related illness? Any help is much appreciated !

Kimfitz06 · Answer

Hello, have them check your vitamin D level, My pth level was through the roof and my vitamin D level was really low. I was started on 50,000IU of vit D and my PTH level came back to normal.

hooloovoo · Answer

In the past few months I have been getting actual headaches occasionally which are mild to moderate. For almost a year, though, I would get no headache at all. I thought there was really something wrong with my vision and went to the ER a couple times. I have significant double vision and feel really weird under certain circumstances, like looking at a tv screen for too long. Good luck dealing with it. It seems like dark, quiet rooms really help. Sometimes I would put a cool washcloth over my eyes and just rest until it felt better.

kevieb · Answer

Do you get occular migraines without headaches?     I started getting these about 24 years ago---scared me to death until I finally found out what they were.   I get a blind spot and can see nothing in that area for while, but I don't get a headache.  Nothing much I can do but wait for it to pass.  I have a set of twins that gets them also, and just this last month my 15 yr old son started getting them and also my 13 year old daughter started getting them, however, she seems to get a very bad headache with the vision loss.  Seems to run in our family.   

I get headaches almost daily, but they are not connected to the optical problems.

hooloovoo · Answer

They didn't seem to think AI was the problem. It seems like I have a moderate to severe migraine condition without headache that causes a lot of my symptoms. Best wishes!

Patricialynne · Answer

Did you find out if you're lab results indicate AI? My labs showed me to have the same am blood cortisol number as yours (8.8 uh/ dl.) This was my blood cortisol baseline before my ACTH test. 30 minutes after the injection, my blood Cortisol went up to 40. Over 4x the baseline. Any feedback is greatly appreciated since I won't see my endo for 3 weeks .

hooloovoo · Answer

Thank you for your comments. My thyroid was tested and seems okay. It is looking like I might have primary hyperparathyroidism though. My calcium has been higher than the normal range for at least 8 months and my PTH is too high for my age and higher than the normally accepted range. My endocrinologist wants to make sure that I don't have adrenal insuficiency, though. She is running some more tests. It is crazy how so many of these conditions have the same symptoms.

Sibil_21 · Answer

That cortisol AM range should be rechecked that range is so broad. I consider it in normal-low.

TerriFL · Answer

I don't know what lab did your testing, but I just had a metabolic work-up with LabCorp doing the testing and they show a normal range of 6.2 - 19.4 ug/dL for an AM test (when your cortisol level is supposed to be at its highest.
If you don't mine my asking, have you had your thyroid tested?  Hypothyroidism has many symptoms similar to adrenal insufficiency.  Whatever the case, it sounds like you need to have a complete metabolic panel & ACTH test.  Best of luc and please keep us posted.  Terri

hooloovoo · Answer

Thank you. No, I'm not seeing an endo, but I might look for one. If someone has adrenal insufficiency and a cortisol level similar to mine, please let me know.

rumpled · Answer

It is in the normal range. One test however is not sufficient for diagnosis of AI. And one would not (or should not ) be put on replacements without more testing and a stimulation test.

If you have symptoms, then the doctor should keep testing - and as well test ACTH, adrenal antibodies, renin, aldosterone, sodium, potassium etc. Are you seeing an endo?

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