Cortisol question

[remission]

I have been off prednisone for 4 months and doctor finally sent me for a cortisol test and does anyone know what a healthy reading would be? thanks

[SheffieldJane]

I think my normal one was round about 450 and the prior one ( insufficient) was 325. Sorry if this makes no sense but these numbers stuck in my mind.

[MrsNails]

Hi Remission - Have a look in FAQ -

There are Posts on this Topic….

MrsN

In the meantime

medlineplus.gov/ency/articl...

Normal Results

‘’An increase in cortisol after stimulation by ACTH is expected. Cortisol level after ACTH stimulation should be higher than 18 to 20 mcg/dL or 497 to 552 nmol/L, depending on the dose of ACTH used.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.”

What Abnormal Results Mean

“This test is helpful in finding out if you have:

Acute adrenal crisis (life-threatening condition that occurs when there is not enough cortisol)

Addison disease (adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol)

Hypopituitarism (pituitary gland is not producing enough hormones such as ACTH)”

[Truckfoot in reply to MrsNails]

Thankyou for ur respond and always appreciated info

[MrsNails in reply to Truckfoot]

Hope that helps - l was looking for a Chart that explained it clearly - as l am interested in this Data myself - I l come across one l’ll let you know.

[Truckfoot in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks

[cycli]

according to PMRpro a reading over 400-450 is considered good and showing the adrenals are functioning if I remember correctly.

[Rache]

‘If a plain cortisol test taken at 9am is under 100 nmol/L then it indicates that you do have adrenal insufficiency - it is most meaningful if you didn't take pred in the 24 hours before the blood sample is taken. Take the day's dose as soon as the blood has been taken.

If it is above 450 nmol/L then you don't have adrenal insufficiency - there is enough cortisol available to function. You might still have problems in an emergency situation though - long term steroid users still need extra care for surgery or illness.

If it is inbetween then a synacthen test should be arranged to get more clarity. It may be lower than 450 but will still improve over time - but the lower it is the longer it may take and you need to know the adrenals CAN recover given time. If they can't produce cortisol at all for some reason then they need to think about where to next.’

This is a quote from an answer PMRpro gave to a similar query. Hope this helps.

[Truckfoot in reply to Rache]

Thankyou appreciate it

[remission in reply to Rache]

just got the results to the cortisol test this morning, it was 410 and I've been off prednisone for 4 months, so I think that is good

[Rache in reply to remission]

I’m not an expert but I think it sounds quite good. What does your GP, or whoever arranged the blood test, think?

[remission in reply to Rache]

won't be seeing my GP for awhile, difficult getting appts at this time, but im pleased with results

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to remission]

Shows you are definitely getting there!!!

[Truckfoot in reply to PMRpro]

Tks

[Rache]

Am I right in thinking it was a simple blood test you had, not the Synacthen test?

[remission in reply to Rache]

yes, just the blood test