short synacthen test result

[piggylovesgolf]

Hi everybody,

Following on from my recent post and the trauma resulting from methotrexate hubby had the above test on monday and we have today received a copy of letter to GP stating "Short Synacthen test is normal and reassuring. This suggests that there is no adrenal insufficiency."

Thats all. Im assuming this is a good sign and suggests that he may be able to get off Pred eventually as opposed to being on it for life basically.

Im not sure what happens next but the rheumy nurse had said she would ring him in about 3 weeks (this was when he had to come off MTX and had been in hospital) and they would give him the MTX by this injection unless he decided not to have it but she thought the results of this test would be interesting and I assume relevant to what happens next.

Just wanted to know really if this result is a good sign.

Thanks everyone in advance

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is if he can get away with his pred dose staying at this level. It shows his adrenal glands are still capable of producing cortisol which is a good start. It doesn't mean they are doing so reliably, it is a very complex feedback set-up and any one bit can be rusty/non-functional and mess op the rest. But it is a very good start.

[piggylovesgolf in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks PMRpro. A bit of good news and encouragement is very welcome after these last few weeks. He has been on 3 mg for several months now and cut down from 4 to 3 without any effect. The rheumy told him to continue on 3 mg when we saw him last november so it is a while that he has been on this low dose.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to piggylovesgolf]

He just needs to keep going - providing the PMR is under control.