Does anyone else have high cortisol levels? I get tested for A.M. cortisol twice a year and it's always above normal. Also my ACTH is very high. I think there maybe a correlation there.
Also I was born with only 1 kidney (I found out about 10 years ago) I went to a kidney doctor and he said I only have one adreno gland.
What test are you all doing to check your cortisol levels?
I often low all throughout the day.
Hi Deengo,
Did your dr priscribe you Hydrocostisone? ACTH gets high when your cortisone is low? (Addisons Disease!) I've been taking it since 2002, just replacing what's not being made! Did you have the short synacthen test? This shows what cortisol your body produces?
All the best
Steve
No I haven't been prescribed hydrocortisone. My ACTH is always high but so has my A.M. cortisol results. My cortisol levels have never been low.
So you don't have Addisons then! High cortisol can be caused by stress? What has your doctor said?
the doctor has said nothing about the High ACTH or high A.M. cortisol. Actually 2 endocrinologists. That's why I'm asking here. I don't have any answers. Maybe as long as I'm feeling ok I should just ignore it all haha
It must be slightly High? They know what they are doing? I hope!
All the best
I am not sure about the A.M. Cortisol test. I have had many tests over the years called a synacthen test; I had another one last month.
This is a description:
A blood sample will be taken and then the synacthen injected, at which point the time is recorded and further sample(s) taken according to the local protocol. Alternatively a needle or small polystyrene tube (a cannula) with a valve mechanism on the end is put into a vein in your arm. The end is taped to your arm and remains in place during the test. A baseline blood sample is taken through the cannula before the test. A solution containing synacthen is then injected into the vein. After 30 minutes a second sample of blood is taken. Cortisol is measured in the blood samples. labtestsonline.org.uk/tests...
The synacthen test seems to be the standard way of measuring adrenal sufficiency.
I am lucky - no adrenal problems.
I wish you all the best, deengo, with your adrenal and kidney issues.
Chris
Hi Deengo. I started gaining weight 6 months ago and water retention. Went to do a urine test for cortisol and my results were very high over 800... ive also been struggling since as doctors just said they cant do anything and i need to stress less.. but Ive noticed that eating and gyming spikes the cortisol levels... are you also experiencing the same as me? Im also trying to get answers to get my life back
Hi those are very high cortisol levels. way higher then mine. I've only had mine tested with a blood test not a urine test. My ACTH levels are also higher then normal which the doctor told me is relative to the high cortisol levels.
Like you the doctors I see have no suggestions for lowering it and it doesn't seem to be much if an issue for me as of now.
I also go to the gym a minimum of 4 days a week for an hour or two each time and do very intense workouts.
Have you had your ACTH levels checked or your pituitary looked at. There may be an issue with that. Bu the way you look great.
Thank you. Tell me something. Do you take pre workout? Does the caffeine spike your cortisol? I know for a fact that if I dont take preworkout at 4 o clock in the morning I wont have the strenght to train. Its weird that high cortisol takes all your muscle and strenght. Ive noticed that exercising makes it worse in my case but gym is my life. I cant give up on my happiness... havent been in the gym since diagnosis. But I have to try. Doctors says no training but thats just not the life I want. I will rather die trying
My favorite was a red bull before I work out but since I found out about my kidney problem I've stopped that. i only take half a dose of pre workout if I take to much it effects the nerves in my legs and I cant walk or workout. I've never had a doctor tell me not to workout. I feel so much better when I do. it actually stops the pain I have for awhile and something about it makes me walk better for awhile also.
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