Developments since my second basal cortisol test showed adrenal function is not quite up to speed.

[123-go]

I had a call from the specialist nurse yesterday telling me that I would be receiving details of a clinic appointment. An hour later the appointment showed up in the NHS app for 7th October. It appears that this was prompted by my blood test last Thursday showing CRP at 17- up from 5 in July. Seems to me that some eagle-eyed person made a connection with my recent basal cortisol score of 313 which has prompted an endocrinology appointment on 24th October. Now I am wondering if I should postpone my flu jab (3rd October) and Covid jab on 18th October until after the endo app’t. I haven’t previously had any reaction from either vaccine apart from soreness at the injection site but would appreciate the wise ones’ thoughts.

(To recap, I reached zero Pred in January this year after 6 year PMR journey and 4 years after LVV diagnosis; still on 10mg Leflunomide).

Edit: Flu jab date corrected to read 3rd Oct.

[SnazzyD]

I’m not sure your risk of a bad reaction is increased with a low cortisol and besides, you have an easy remedy if a crisis were to happen which could be triggered by anything. Severe illness could also be a trigger. For me personally, I would postpone the Covid jab simply to make sure I was well enough to get to the appointment 6 days later but that’s because I react intensely to vaccines every time. If you don’t really react then perhaps go for it. Obviously the sooner you have them, the sooner you’ll have peak effectiveness, which isn’t instant, going into The Season.

[123-go in reply to SnazzyD]

Many thanks-what you’ve said has put my somewhat over-the-top concerns in perspective.🌻

[SnazzyD in reply to 123-go]

Not over the top. I think this whole business requires chronic overthinking to navigate it especially as there is no clear answer and I do think we have to self-advocate more than most. There’s no flippin easy answer to any of it!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As SnazzyD says depends how you are normally with vaccines… if no issues then maybe go ahead with the both vaccines- but if you are going to get stressed then reschedule..

[123-go]

Normally fine. Not stressed but just not wanting to ‘poke’ anything. We’ve had appointments coming out of our lug holes recently but have a day off today and the sun is shining. Today’s dilemma isn’t difficult to resolve….chores in the house or out in the sunshine? 🤗

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

No dilemma there at all… can remember many moons ago when hubby was posted to the Outer Hebrides one of the other wives said -“when we have a nice day forget the household chores and get out in it”.

Have followed that advice ever since - and that was 40 years ago.. 😊

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

A philosophy I like to follow. I decided to do some easy jobs in the garden as the sun is shining and not a cloud in the sky. Have just come in to calls that tea is made. I won’t mention to OH that it should have been been brought out for me……..

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to 123-go]

No that might be pushing it!

[123-go in reply to DorsetLady]

🙂

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 123-go]

He was making sure you came and sat down to drink it!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with Snazzy. If you don't usually react to jabs, have the flu one and ask at the appointment about the Covid one. I can't see any reason why low cortisol would affect it - and actually that IS in normal range for a basal cortisol, if in the lower half. Different if it was the second reading in a synacthen test. It isn't clear what you mean - was it a repeat basal cortisol or the second sample in a synacthen test?

[123-go]

Repeat basal cortisol test. Will edit my post.

Unfortunately the consultant who requested the endo appointment has moved on to another trust so can’t be consulted. She must have had a reason to send me there and I trust her so not beating myself up to think of a reason for this new app’t. I trusted her implicitly: gutted she’s gone! Thank you for you input, PMRpro.

[piglette]

If you are like me, a belt and braces person, I always try and do one thing at a time, ensure it works then on to the next one, if I can. So I personally would postpone the vaccinations.

[123-go in reply to piglette]

I appreciate your thoughts, piglette.