low cortisol?

[B12life]

anyone ever had issues with low cortisol?

What was your level, symptoms and did you find any solution?

[Sunshine3232]

yes low cortisol was found after years of postural hypotension, but not knowing a cause for this,n got blamed as to having multiple sclerosis!!!!!! Until last August when I collapsed n became unconscious,I’d had a few days prior to this where I felt extremely unwell,fatigued,waking in the night very suddenly, n very scarily like my heart was going to stop. Long story, short, after tests in hospital,n constant dizziness,whether laid down or moving via my wheelchair,I was diagnosed with Addisons disease,as my 9am cortisol was low and my aldosterone. Also had Iron deficiency,which I received IV Iron over two infusions,whilst in hospital. I now am on hydrocortisone medication for life,due to my body not producing enough Cortisol, iatrogenic hypothyroidism, Adrenal Insufficiency, it’s a very rare disease,but maybe read up about it, under Addisons Disease n Adrenal Insufficiency. Take care of yourself x

[B12life in reply to Sunshine3232]

Good info! I may hit you up once I get diagnosed!

You have a lot going on! I hope you are doing well and thanks again!

[mountmuir27]

Did you have lab work that showed low cortisol or do you feel like you have low cortisol? Reason for asking is 1. There is a ton of Adrenal Fatigue "noise" online which will lead you to feel like you have low cortisol which is not a medical diagnosis (treat this as burn out with rest, healthy food, vacation), and, 2. Actual low cortisol is Addison's or autoimmune depletion of cortisol which is a known co-morbidity with B12 or Pernicious anemia. If you are starting to have symptoms and/or labs reflecting low cortisol have your ACTH checked, and also, imaging of your adrenals to check for possible atrophy. Once diagnosed easy to treat - eg replace cortisol and not scary - and there are wonderful Addison's success videos out there. Definitely go to a specialist, an endocrinologist, to get checked. Addison's left untreated is dangerous and you'll need a medical bracelet. Adrenal Fatigue left untreated is not.

[B12life in reply to mountmuir27]

mountmuir27

yes. labs showed low in the morning. (dang. I thought I included the labs)

Tested at 9am.

6.03 UG/DL

Reference Range: 6.70-22.60 UG/DL

I'm not one to read something and assume. I really try to stay objective and dig in to the science.

I'm normally extremely active, have the B12 in check, but now have severe: fatigue, brain fog despite good sleep that gets worse throughout the day. Usually I'm very sensitive to caffine, No amount of caffine helps.

Been trying to rule things out other than b12.

Had no idea that B12 had a known co-morbidity with B12. I've been b12 deficient since 2014 only treated initially when severely low in 2020. Been injecting daily since, eventually was able to start hiking and exercising. Only recently, as in last spring/summer have I started with these new issues. I thought maybe the b12 batch was bad until this test.

The primary care doc wants to run another lab, probably the same test to double check.

Based on that result, I shall demand to see an ednochronologist.

Your information is spot on! Thanks so much! You made my day as it gives me hope that I'm on the right path.

[mountmuir27 in reply to B12life]

You likely know already so sharing just in case a few subjective clues as to Addison's: 1. Do you remain tan in the Winter and/or does your tan rarely fade completely? 2. Are your past scars (scrapes) still dark in color? 3. Do you have dark patches in your mouth or on gums? Fatigue is miserable. I was an avid runner, cyclist, etc. and got to a point where I barely got off the couch although anemia certainly got me to that point. Per my endo I do not have Addison's although I've had both high and low cortisol results so keeping an eye on things by ordering my own labs when something seems "off". In the USA Ulta labs online is easy and offers specialized labs.

[B12life in reply to mountmuir27]

Fantastic reference to labs. I shall order some.

I'm going to try a functional doc.

[mountmuir27 in reply to B12life]

Do not go to a functional doc for possible Addison's. Go to an Endo. You can order your own labs via Ulta Labs if in the USA. Elsewhere I do not know.

[B12life in reply to mountmuir27]

I don't see patches in mouth or gums. I have kept my tan w/o any sun. Yes past scar is dark in color.

I also have swolen, sensitive gums.

[mountmuir27 in reply to B12life]

A last symptom is hypoglycemic episodes.

[B12life in reply to mountmuir27]

Yea! I have a lot of those!

[mountmuir27 in reply to B12life]

Do you wear a CGM? How do you know?

[mountmuir27]

One more, apologies for multiple messages...low blood pressure.