GCA cortisol levels

[Maddie2018]

I’m on 8 mg prednisone yesterday I tested my cortisol today. The result was 2.2 at 8:30 in the morning. Should I be concerned?

[piglette]

At 8mg I would have thought it would be a bit of a waste of time checking cortisol levels, as the steroids would be looking after them. Pred is a synthetic steroid and works by mimicking the effects of cortisol. Who suggested you should have your cortisol levels checked at 8mg?

[Maddie2018 in reply to piglette]

Thank you!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with piglette bit pointless checking them at that level of Pred -see this-

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Daffodilia in reply to DorsetLady]

How do you check your own cortisol level?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Daffodilia]

You can buy a test online - the big A… sell them, and this is just one company that specialises… not sure how accurate they are…

[Daffodilia in reply to DorsetLady]

Ok - I am still at 6 mg - hoping to reduce in the Spring - test when on 3 mg?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Daffodilia]

Sounds like a plan -you should be able to get basic blood test at GP surgery at that level - which will give an you an idea..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Probably should be buried ...

[SnazzyD]

I agree with the others. 8mg is plenty to suppress your adrenal glands after so long on higher doses because the Pred is currently taking over most of their job. My Endocrinologist didn’t bother checking the adrenal gland seriously until people are 4mg or under. Saying that, you could still feel tired because the Pred is still high enough to keep the adrenal glands sleepy but getting low enough to not quite cover your daily need for steroid. You need to get lower for the adrenal glands to wake up a realise they need to start making up for the lack of the cortisol replacement (Pred) and make their own cortisol.

[winfong]

Just curious how you were able to test your own cortisol levels?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to winfong]

You can buy a test online or from pharmacies…

[Maddie2018 in reply to winfong]

my endocrinologist ordered it, but I think she thought I was off of prednisone

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You are taking a dose of pred that is more than enough to suppress cortisol production by the adrenals. And your endocrinologist should be taking more interest in your medical history before ordering a test that will be pretty meaningless and is costing someone other than her money!!! Not to mention earning her money ...

[Maddie2018 in reply to PMRpro]

The care I’m getting is ridiculous. I’m having to do my own work and learning a lot from here.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Maddie2018]

You aren’t alone in that- unfortunately..

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Maddie2018]

So did we - and why we try to pass it on.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

...and you do it extremely well, Pro et al! All my learning is from this forum. Thank you all.