Synacthen Test - 1.any known side effects 2. when should adrenal suplements be stopped before test? Thanks.

[sarahstevenson]

[Hidden]

If you mean long synacthen, don't bother. It is a gruelling 2 day process and then guess what: the nhs prints your results on a piece of paper without reference ranges. When you ask you will be told there arent any so by default your results will always be normal, which is exactly what the nhs wants them to be: job done

It took me several days to recover from what was another NHS exercise in futility

[tegz in reply to Hidden]

Sympathies for your experience Blue- but there must be Endos/GPs who can read past 'lack of limits' and assess what is quite an extensive testing procedure.

I personally would be glad enough just to do the short test [which has been mentioned to me ] as the long version does seem to have downsides.

[sarahstevenson in reply to tegz]

thanks Tegz we're advising son to go ahead as it's the short version but he's wondering how he'll cope as his saliva test says very low cortisol throughout the day - how will he react to the meds? Just researching to be prepared.

[tegz in reply to sarahstevenson]

All medical intervention has risks to some degree or other.

Try to get him to grit his teeth -and not notice yours doing the same.

Hopefully the test will highlight something and be worth it.

Being well informed up front is good medicine, though!

[sarahstevenson in reply to Hidden]

Poor you blue sounds awful - I should have said Short test only - I've had one myself which of course came back normal despite saliva test results revealing far more info. Endo has booked my son for one and he'd like more info before he goes.

[Moggie]

Have a look at this link, which tells you what can and cant be taken before both the short synacthen test and the long one.

imperialendo.co.uk/Bible201...

Moggie x

[sarahstevenson in reply to Moggie]

many thanks Moggie - will pass link to my son - his short synacthen test due next week.

[sarahstevenson in reply to sarahstevenson]

clearly written should reassure him : )

[Moggie in reply to sarahstevenson]

Yes and it also tells you how to read the results so IF there is a question over the results you can see if the endo has it right.

Tell him good luck and to stop worrying - I quite enjoyed my test, had tea and biscuits and got chatting to a few people (does that make me a sad person or what!!!!!!).

Moggie x

[sarahstevenson in reply to Moggie]

Noticed the results bit really helpful - didn't have that info when I had my test done 4 years ago. Will plug the biscuits might help too! xx

[Angel_of_the_North]

Short test made me cry buckets for no obvious reason. Otherwise no adverse effects. I "failed" the test BTW.

[sarahstevenson in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

will get him to take tissues with him : )

[behappy1]

I also failed the sst and now take hydrocortisone. You got to do it. Adrenals underpin vitality and are so important in hormone production.

[sarahstevenson in reply to behappy1]

hi fuzzy is your hc NHS prescription? think this could be what he needs. thanks

[behappy1]

Yeah the hospital initially prescribed it, now it's on repeat from GP. Best of luck x

[sarahstevenson in reply to behappy1]

Will be another interesting part of the puzzle! Thanks