Alternative doctors use the ASI (Adrenal Stress Index) test to determine adrenal insufficiency, but regular MDs think it's hogwash. Yet while my ASI test shows a stage 5 result (very bad), my endocrinologist will only perform the pituitary hormone stimulating test, which comes back negative. He says my "adrenal gland is fine." (Singular, can you believe it???)
I know that someone has posted the name of the MD-approved adrenal test that is far more accurate than this latter one, but I can't find the post that tells what it's called. Can anyone help me here?
Thanks ever so much.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Your adrenal "gland" is fine because it's not in failure. I don't think a regular doctor will tell you it's low functioning. They don't believe in adrenal fatigue.
There are some good books on adrenals. Tired of Being Tired and Adrenal Fatigue: the 21st century syndrome.
My LLMD did a saliva test over a period of hours. I don't remember the brand.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- SGK's book suggestion is a good one.
While the saliva tests are nice, they capture only one day in your life. And I think they can miss a lot.
So did the pituitary hormone stimulating test.
I'm not sure ANY test will really tell you what you don't already know and what the first ASI indicates: that the system is kaput. If not broken, exactly, under severe stress and in need of help.
It's just a given with lyme for reasons explained in the thread below.
Most doctors and even endocrinologists are just not considering the big picture. Many LLMDs do get it, though and a LLMD is much more likely to understand the hit the entire endocrine system takes from lyme. It's a classic lyme/TBD effect, by the way.
[TBD = tick borne infection, though other chronic stealth infections can also clobber the adrenals.]
Most naturopathic doctors really understand this, too. And I would trust your test with your ND (?)
The thing is that, with a standard endocrinologist who looks for only the extremes, STEROIDS in high doses are often their only source of treatment. BIG MISTAKE with lyme.
The first Rx to consider would be VERY LOW DOSE CORTEF (safe with lyme) and many naturopathic doctors can prescribe that - but you'd first try other support methods.
There's a lot we can do to help ourselves, though, even without some fancy printout that confirms what our inner alarm system has already been telling us:
[ 06-06-2012, 06:36 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by marinel (Member # 33240) on :
My adrenal problem was discovered by a Naturopath 12 years ago (prior to my Lyme diagnosis 2 years later), and they've been up and down ever since. I have never gotten them up past stage 3, and now they're down to stage 5 again, despite my doing all the things recommended to me by practitioners and in books.
I tried Cortef in micro-sized increments, and it sent me into a psychosis, despite never having had mental health problems before. Scared the **** out of me. Has anyone else had this reaction? My naturopath says it's not uncommon.
6goofykids, the ASI test is a saliva test. The one I use is put out by DiagnosTechs in Kent, WA.
Keebler, thanks for the great thread link! There are things on there I've never tried but now can explore.
But later. Back to bed! SO TIRED!!! I've memorized every crack on my ceiling.