Synacthen results

[Bailybiscuit]

This is what I tried to post earlier

[charisma]

Sorry, never heard of this test or why it is done. Best ask GP or Consultant. Link might help: evidence.nhs.uk/search?pa=2...

[Bailybiscuit in reply to charisma]

I know why it was done but don't understand the results. If you have seen my earlier posts I don't have much faith that I will be told what it all means.

[charisma in reply to Bailybiscuit]

No, I have not seen earlier posts. I hope you find a way to get the information and reassurance we all are entitled to when it concerns our healthcare. 🙂

[Bailybiscuit in reply to charisma]

This whole thing has turned into a nightmare involving too many people when if my consultant had just ordered me the test like he said he would non of it would have happened.

[AgedCrone in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Have you called you rheumy nurse......she will explain the results to you.

But as she hasn’t contacted you it presumably means you don’t have to take any action, and can wait until you see a rheumatologist who will decide if you should continue with steroids or not.

If the test showed anything worrying you would have been contacted when your doctor saw the results.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to AgedCrone]

I thought if I need a further appointment I should hear in the post. I saw the results online today so not enough time for them to act yet.

[AgedCrone in reply to Bailybiscuit]

These days if tests don’t show up anything needing urgent attention you might have to wait a few weeks to hear anything.

So you’ll have to be patient I’m afraid.......

[Bailybiscuit in reply to AgedCrone]

I don't think I trust them to do anything any more. If I don't hear anything in a few working days I might make a telephone appointment and ask my Dr, she is very good and does what she says and always phoned back if she has said she would . In the summer she was away I'll and the trouble I had with prescriptions was ridiculous, bit once back she sorted it out straight away

[AgedCrone in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Why not just telephone and ask for a telephone consultation...that will save you a journey. ....GPS are so busy, unless you need urgent attention that is the best way.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to AgedCrone]

I did say telephone appointment, she calls back.

[KittyJ]

I would give your rheumy nurse or GP a call Bailybiscuit, they are the best ones to tell you what your results mean. I hope you get some answers soon.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to KittyJ]

I will but I had better give them a chance to get in touch as I only had the test yesterday. It is all very well letting us have access to our results but no good if they don't explain them.

[helixhelix in reply to Bailybiscuit]

If you only had test yesterday are you sure the results are through yet?

[oldtimer]

1. I can't see why the medical practitioner you saw thought you should have a syncathen test in the first place. The guidance for this test states clearly that it is not indicated in steroid withdrawal.

2. You don't state if oral steroids were stopped 24 hrs before the test? (As recommended.)

3. It's not clear from this screen shot what tests were actually done, nor what the results were - it seems to be just a list of tests.

If you have a result for the random cortisol level, you should also have the normal range for that laboratory, which would tell you whether it is raised (as it should be if you are taking prednisolone). If it is not raised or is low, that would suggest the adrenals are supressed.

It seems that your medical team are confused and not functioning together? And certainly not functioning as a team with you as the patient.

It might be helpful to you if you wrote down all your queries and sent them to whoever is heading up your medical team (keeping a copy for yourself).

[Bailybiscuit in reply to oldtimer]

Where it says cortisol random, isn't the random but the result?. I had to not take my 5mg steroid tablet that morning until after the blood test.

[lilyak in reply to Bailybiscuit]

No, random cortisol is the name of the test. You had a morning cortisol test taken, as we discussed previously. If it's very low, they'll do a short synacthen. Can you post the whole page, there are no results here, and its not possible to see what you had done, and if my assumption is correct. But it would be the normal procedure to have a morning (or random) cortisol, which is just a blood draw. I'm sure that's what they did. If they haven't called, you can be reassured that there is nothing to worry about. Your cortisol levels are probably fine.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to lilyak]

On the other side of the page is my consultants name, no numbers like there normally is with my other methotrexate blood results. I had four lots taken which seem to be the ones mentioned and across the computer screen it said "Short synacthen test"

[lilyak in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Please I'm just trying to reassure you, as is everyone else. From your previous description, you didn't have a short synacthen test. That's just not how they are done, its not possible. So, can you explain why you're concerned about? I think we're all trying to reassure and support, but you're insisting it was a short synacthen test and I'm not sure what the actual problem is? Are you upset with your rheumy for not explaining? Or for causing anxiety? Are you worried about adrenal insufficiency? You are honestly in no danger of adrenal insufficiency at your current dose of prednisone, you are safe in that respect. So what is it that you're worried about exactly? I am genuinely trying to get to the core of the issue, I'm a qualified counsellor, it would be much easier in person! I'm not in any way trying to argue with you, or provoke, or be difficult. I just don't understand why this test mean this much to you, as you've made several posts, so its causing a lot of upset. I want to help. Can you tell me more about what you're concerned about?

[helixhelix]

Oldtimer is spot on! I too can’t see any test results.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to helixhelix]

Isn't the answer "Random" the result? I thought it was.

[helixhelix in reply to Bailybiscuit]

I doubt it! The random cortisol test is a separate test for cortisol, and I think “random” merely refers to it not being taken at a specific time of day.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to helixhelix]

It was supposed to be before 9am, the fact that the blood place didn't open until 9 meant it was after then.

[helixhelix in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Are there no numbers against each test? As it stands it looks as if you have just been given a list of the tests that were done.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to helixhelix]

No just my consultants name

[KittyJ in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Is there another column to the right Bailybiscuit ? As others have said there aren’t any results just the tests done. What a muddle for you 😔

[Bailybiscuit in reply to KittyJ]

Just my consultants name

[oldtimer]

Just to add that this is just a list of the tests. No results. Random means at any time.

[Bailybiscuit in reply to oldtimer]

So I got notified by email to look at my results but there are no results? I can't see the point of telling me. I suppose it's just on record that I had those tests done.

[Dodo1943]

Hi Bailybiscuit

Sorry for delay in reading your posts but have you tried clicking on the individual tests in bold blue below the header? This set-up is not like my personal on-line results where I click on each of the subjects to get the full display of results, e.g. the breakdown of the full range of results for FBCs, etc.

[Bailybiscuit]

I tried and nothing happens. My other results are clearly displayed as you say. I think it's just for reference that something has been done. Thank you anyway

[Hidden]

It’s a test for Addisons Disease. Try to google it...😊

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Hidden]

I have and I have some of the symptoms but they are also inflammatory arthritis symptoms

[Coriander18]

I had a short Synacthen test before I got RA when there was concern about my hormone levels. At that time I had to stay in hospital all day while they took blood at regular intervals to see what my hormone levels were doing.

Just wondered if your screen shot shows what tests your health worker could order, but has left them blank as they haven't been done or needed.

You would know if you had the test I had (unless there's a new way of doing it, but really it's to see if your adrenal gland is working at the levels it should do throughout the day, so I don't think one blood would test this).

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Coriander18]

I was told on the phone it was to see if I need the other but it was called a short synacthen test

[Coriander18]

keep us posted

[Bailybiscuit in reply to Coriander18]

I will

[embroy]

What are these tests for? Not seen or heard of them before?

[Bailybiscuit in reply to embroy]

I was supposed to have had a synacthen test as I have been on steroids for a long time. The whole story is further up if you scroll up.