Just a quick question. When can you have a synthacen test and do you ask for one or are you recommended to have one?
Am down to 3.5mg using the slow taper method but feeling achy, lethargic and weary. Is this just part of the tapering process or a sign adrenals not yet kicking in?
Thanks for your time.
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SilverCruiser
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I felt like you between the doses of 6mg down to 3mg despite the slow taper. But once I got to 3mg the fatigue suddenly disappeared - so don’t give up hope!
Wow...................I aaaam still living and learning. I loved my Greek Endocrinologist who spent 45 minutes each time I saw him................he wanted to know the who, why, where and when of both GCA and the charity.
When I asked my Rheumy about test he said local hospital has policy that they won't do test until patient is on 3mgs or less. So maybe it depends on your local hospital policy?
In my experience.... I asked my rheumatologist for one when I had got down to 2.5/3 & she was keen to get me onto Methotrexate. It took several weeks, well almost 5 months as had to change to hydrocortisone first then have a blood test to see what the levels might be & then the synacthen test finally showed a very low level of adrenal activity. I have been on pred since 2011. Eventually saw my Endrocrinologist who advised never to drop below 3.5 & go up to 5mg for the time being. But, to answer your question! It seems clear that the test is rarely offered & if I hadn’t pushed for it .....?
I was pleased to finally have an answer for the exhaustion though. Plus
The 1st blood test they forgot to tell me not to take hydrocortisone that morning & so it gave a false reading. Things seemed to drift rather. Hopefully your hospital will be more efficient! The synacthen test itself was no drama, just a couple of hours around 9 am & I didn’t have any side effects other than rather tired afterwards.
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