Tips for seeing Endo

[SmokinJoeFraz93]

Hi guys,

I'm due to see an endocrinologist very soon. This is my last resort as to seeing specialists. I've seen a lot during the last 3 years, and everything's come back normal.

I went to see a naturopath doctor at the end of last year, and he recorded a lab study of saliva cortisol, 4 times during 24 hours. The results startled him.

I was showing all symptoms of 'adrenal fatigue'. Low blood pressure when standing from laying etc etc. He expected my cortisol levels to come back low, hence the adrenal fatigue.

However, my cortisol levels came back really high throughout the 24 hours. Where as they should've declined during the day, they stayed really high.

My question is, does anyone have advice as to certain questions or requests I should ask the endocrinologist?

Thanks.

 

[ryan31337]

Hi @SmokinJoeFraz93

Not sure how interested the endo will be in saliva samples. I've had out of range cortisol (high) and aldosterone (low) blood results and one endo said isolated samples aren't particularly useful diagnostically. I'm booked in for an ACTH stimulation test now but no one is expecting for it to uncover any obvious classical problems...

I hope you get an open minded doc that treats you rather than just your test results

Ryan

 

[SmokinJoeFraz93]

Hi @SmokinJoeFraz93

Not sure how interested the endo will be in saliva samples. I've had out of range cortisol (high) and alodosterone (low) blood results and one endo said diagnostically isolated samples aren't particularly useful. I'm booked in for an ACTH stimulation test now but no one is expecting for it to uncover any obvious classical problems...

I hope you get an open minded doc that treats you rather than just your test results

Ryan

Thanks mate.

 

[gabriella17]

Interesting. These tests are just baffling. I show signs of adrenal fatigue as well, and when my previous PCP tested my cortisol, it too, came back normal. I also show nearly every sign for hypothyroidism (including the outer third of my eyebrows being practically non-existent), but my thyroid tests also come back normal.

 

[CFS_for_19_years]

@SmokinJoeFraz93, your endocrinologist might suspect Cushing syndrome and have you do two midnight salivary cortisol collections and/or a 24-hour urine collection for cortisol. There are usually some physical changes to go along with Cushing syndrome such as weight gain and new or worsened high blood pressure.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/dxc-20197177

 

[sharks]

Interesting. These tests are just baffling. I show signs of adrenal fatigue as well, and when my previous PCP tested my cortisol, it too, came back normal. I also show nearly every sign for hypothyroidism (including the outer third of my eyebrows being practically non-existent), but my thyroid tests also come back normal.

I too had normal tests. But I'm having a hard time finding anything legitimate on adrenal fatigue. I feel a lot like when I have a hangover. Puffy eyes, weird sweating. The more healing sleep I get the slowly it goes away.

 

[Paralee]

@SmokinJoeFraz93 I agree that the thyroid is connected. I have a thyroid that will show really low or normal at different times. The cortisol isn't usually checked at the same time but it will go low or high, also. They think I'm screwing with my thyroid med, which I did twice for a better dose, but with the knowledge of a doctor.

Just be sure how to read a real thyroid test (more than a TSH level). I had an stim test done too, but my cortisol base was 24+. Sometimes during the same time frame it's only a little over 4. I'd get several tests of both cortisol and thyroid at the same time if you can. Good luck with your endo, I think maybe I finally found one that will work out. They're hard to come by.

These answers are all very good. Going to re-read.

Edit: sometimes saliva cortisol levels can be off. Most dr's don't like them and prefer blood levels, which seem to work fine for cortisol, at least for most people.