posted
I know my HPA axis is not functioning properly but I am very concerned about adrenals. I have no fight or flight response but am left with feeling unwell for days if it is called on.
I have had cortisol checked a lot pre-dx of Lyme. I first had a saliva done in '09 with results" AM 7.7 OK (3.7-9.5) Noon 1.4 OK (1.2-3.0) evening 0.5 Low (0.6-1.9) night 0.6 OK (0.4-1.0)
I had AM blood cortisol checked after this and it was 12.4 (3.0-23)
I had a glucose tolerance test in 2010 and was found to be hypoglycemic.
I had some type of cortisol stim test done at the same time. AM specimen was 11.6 (4-22). Can't remember what I was given but the second specimen was normal at 30.
I did another saliva at a time when I was very sick with what I didn't know was Lyme in 1/2011 , results:
AM 7.3 OK (3.7-9.5) noon 0.9 LOW (1.2-3.0) evening 0.6 OK (0.6-1.9) night 2.1 HIGH (0.4-1.0)
I was dx with Lyme in March of 2011 and hormones were never addressed. Do I need something like Cortef? When I am anxious at the MD, which I almost always am, my BP is high...would that still be the case with adrenal insufficiency?
My stress response is poor. I am left with a feeling of poor well being if I experience stress, even what I would perceive as minor stress.
Would I need to see an endocrinologist again (my guy goes strictly by the numbers) or my Lyme MD (who is not an LLMD but I am looking into changing).
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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posted
I was put on cortef back in 2006 due to my low saliva cortisol tests...my levels were totally flat all day except the 10pm reading. I was on cortef for 3 years 15mg-total daily until I saw and endocrinologist. He did the ACTH stim test and my morning reading was 8.5 but rebounded after an hour (I think) up to 18. Due to that fact I was told to taper off the cortef.
Plus a month prior he had done a morning cortisol and it was 12.2 I will tell you it was extremely difficult weaning off the cortef and took me almost 9 months.
Thinking back I don't even think the cortef helped me that much. Even now my stress response is very poor and I crash very easily. I can't handle any kind of minor stress to this day and couldn't even when I was on the cortef.
I have seen two endocrinologists who also go strickly by the numbers and was told in no way did I need cortef ...they also did not believe in the saliva testing. Today I am taking 5mg in the morning as prescribed by my LLMD. I don't know if I really need it or am benefiting by it but while in treatment I feel I am stressed enough so 5mg is not going to hurt me. My saliva tests were as follows
AM 3.1 (7.0-10) Noon 1.3 (3.0-6.0) 4PM 1.3 (2.0-4.0) 10PM 1.4 ( Less than 1.5)
My previous one back in 2006 was even lower...
Posts: 343 | From North Carolina | Registered: Oct 2008
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posted
Wow, your numbers are not so good. No wonder you can't handle stress. I am so sorry to hear that the Cortef is not beneficial.
I am already at a low point with how I am feeling. So today I had a job interview. Needless to say, it did not go well, and that's putting it mildly.
I'm usually okay during these but not today, even though my interviewer was extra nice. I could start to feel myself get shaky....I just couldn't handle it. I felt for a minute like I was going to pass out. When it was over I got in the car and cried for a sec. I still physically feel like I have been put through the ringer.
It may take days to resolve. I guess I will just continue to detox and take my adrenal support.
Posts: 478 | From Third Coast | Registered: Feb 2011
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