Short Synacthen test

[Tanya40]

Hello All, I had a short synacthen test today and was wondering if anyone has had one? I've been told that it is possible to diagnose Addisons disease? Any ideas?

[sazzyb]

Hi Tanya,

Yep, I've had two. Failed my first one, adrenals were struggling because I'd been hypo

for a long time before diagnosis, fortunately they recovered after several months on HC.

gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage...

patient.co.uk/health/synact...

[silverfox7 in reply to sazzyb]

Many thanks for posting the info-I'm waiting for an appointment for one

[Glynisrose]

Not worth the paper its written on because doctors don't know the difference between adrenal FATIGUE and adrenal FAILURE.

[Kitten-whiskers]

I also had the Synacthen test and completely agree with Glynisrose - it is not worth the bother. This will show up Addison's or Cushions Disease but if you are suffering with Adrenal Fatigue it wont pick it up and you will be sent away believing all is OK.

Thankfully I done the Adrenal Saliva test done and that picked up my Adrenal Fatigue - just in time too

[FallenAngel]

Yes I had one about 8 weeks ago ... Rules out Addisons , my responses were poor so I have been given hydrocortisone to take only if I have a chest infection or similar ..I think even if they respond a bit that's a good sign , meaning they are working but slowed down or tired ..

[FallenAngel]

BTW do you have any idea of your morning cortisol numbers ?

[FallenAngel in reply to FallenAngel]

My morning cortisol was 55 after test I did get into the 550 but even that's poor .. they like it to go over 1000 I think but I am only being treated at times of illness.

[BeansMummy]

I had one and knew, from what I read on this site, that it was next to useless in diagnosing what I was suffering from. My results were all out of range, and the GP and endo said they didn't understand how to interpret them, so that was the end of that. Totally pointless exercise for me.

[Hidden in reply to BeansMummy]

Do you mean you had the adrenal stress profile BeansMummy? My GP couldn't interpret my results, so I typed them up with the ranges in brackets. Now I've just been put on steroids.

[BeansMummy in reply to Hidden]

All I know is that is was a short synacthen test - blood test, then injected with whatever, then the next blood test. My cortisol was over range in the first place, and a bit higher again after the injection. My GP admitted she didn't know how to interpret the results, the endo said it was "normal".

My results were: start 623 nmol/L (range 180-620), then 682 nmol/L afterwards (same range). I have no idea whatsoever what any of it meant.

I was feeling so low mentally at the time, and I'd read the test was pointless unless you had Addisons, so I guess I filed the whole experience away

[Hidden in reply to BeansMummy]

I had the synacthen test too. It was a bit of a farce, it didn't even start at the right time. The nurse told me if you're stressed it skews the numbers.

Mine was in the low 400' s when mine started, but my adrenal stress profile, both tests now say my cortisol is low.

Have you read about the 4 stages of adrenal fatigue? Dr Lam's is one of the best ones I've read online. Tells what results are expected at each stage.x

[BeansMummy in reply to Hidden]

I reading it now, it's very interesting. I've wondered about adrenal fatigue before, but don't feel as bad more recently as I did around that time so have tended not to research so much now.

I got myself worked up before the test (I got easily worked up about anything slightly "out of the ordinary" to a ridiculous level) - I had what I believed to be enlarged adrenal glands because I can feel two large lumps where I thought they were, and decided I was obviously dying from some nasty disease. My thought processes were really weird.

[Hidden in reply to BeansMummy]

I have a phobia of hospitals with good reason, I got a nasty hospital infection after a hysterectomy. But even before, I got prepped for surgery and by 7 am I walked out. Took me 10 years to go back!

The very frail lady next to me during the synacthen test had 5 different staff members try and get the cannula in. I've had this experience before surgery many times, so I was dreading my turn. In the end I told the nurse to put it in the inside of my arm where there's a good spot for taking blood. I also have interstitial cystitis so had raised the question of reaction to acetic acid in the injection. I knew this acid would be a problem and just got phobbed off. All in all I was in a real state for the test. I reacted badly to it, stomach, cramps, dizziness and nausea. The stomach cramps stayed with me all morning, then by midnight the bladder pain started. I had over a week of bladder pain with spasms. When I could I phoned the hospital to complain. No way will I have that test again.

The amount of synacthen used to stimulate the adrenals is way above a physiological amount anyway. That's why so many fall through the net.

So pleased you're feeling improved and less anxious! Xx

[BeansMummy in reply to Hidden]

What an appalling experience. My test was injections only, no cannula. I'd read a few bad things about people reacting to the test afterwards, but I had nothing.

Goodness knows how you manage to cope with this illness if you can't cope with hospitals, nightmare

[Hidden in reply to BeansMummy]

Hi BeansMummy, excuse delay, there seems to be different methods used to do the synacthen test. All I know is I don't want another one! I know reactions are rare, but i 'm usually complicated with anything medical. Others breeze through things and I'm a disaster!

I have every reason to have a phobia, I just wish I could deal with it better. I was offered counselling just to have grommets inserted 9 years ago. I've had a lot of surgeries, painful investigations, 3 cancer scares with biopsies, and an incurable bladder disease courtesy of a hospital infection. I think my phobias are 100% justified! Xx

[BeansMummy in reply to Hidden]

Jeez, you have all my sympathy. You have good reason to dislike (understatement of the year) hospitals and "treatment" I really hope that staff you come into contact with are sympathetic to your fears.

[Hidden]

I've seen too much neglect in hospitals to expect anything to be honest Beans-Mummy. Sad but true.

My next appointment is having my pituitary scanned on 9th August, I know a Saturday! Wish me luck! Xx