cortisol blood test

[5goFlotilla]

Good morning

I am tapering from 4 to 3.5mg Prednisolone and struggling to establish what the random fatigue and , what I think are Osteo pains. I think they are just withdrawal 🤞.

Messaged my Gp this morning asking for a Cortisol blood test before I see my Consultant on 14th August … they have just messaged back offering me bloods on 9th August at 10:45 . First I am incredibly grateful to my great GP practice and don’t want to quiry if 10.45 is a bit late in the day , they have obviously made an effort to fit me in .

thanks

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

At such a low level could be combination of all three tbh!.

10.45am is a bit late, but at least you have an appointment. Remembered no Pred for previous 24 hours, so take a snack and your meds so you can take afterwards..

[5goFlotilla in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you , yes I agree at least I have an appointment they relied within 2 hours with an appointment …. can’t complain at that .

[Bungalows]

It might be worth checking with the blood testing service. I had bloods taken a couple of months ago (in Bucks this is done at a local hospital) and made a 9.20am appointment through the online system. When I got there I was told this was a ‘bit late’ for a morning cortisol test and they would have refused to take it after 9.30am.

I can’t be sure if they really would have refused of course.

[5goFlotilla in reply to Bungalows]

Thanks I have since had a call booking me in for 8:30 am . Hope yours gave you some answers.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

A sample for a basal cortisol level can be taken at any time between 9am and 1pm and be valid. Perfect timing - though your pred for the day will be a bit late. Remember not to take it that morning - 24 hours pred-free before the blood sample.