Adrenal testing on NHS?

[Wired]

I have an appointment with the GP tomorrow and am due my bloods being tested. I am armed with a list of what is required and this GP is quite good and doesn't seem to put up any fuss.

I was also considering buying the saliva test for adrenal's and wondered if there is one available on the NHS that anyone knows about?

[Spanglysplash]

It's not available on the NHS and sadly the tests available on the nhs aren't too brilliant. There's the 24hr cortisol urine test, which any high you have during the day can mask the lows as it measures the total cortisol in that 24hr period.

There's an aldosterone:renin ratio test, just don't eat anything salty for a few days before as it will skew results.

There is an DHEAS test which measures the byproducts of making DHEA (be warned I showed incredibly low DHEA on my saliva test and the DHEAS tests came out okish!?!)

The blood cortisol is pretty pointless as cortisol fluctuates so much during the day.

Best bet is to bite the bullet and pay for the saliva test.

Good luck.

[Wired in reply to Spanglysplash]

Thanks. I've looked on the Genova website and there are a few different ones relating to adrenals. Is the DHEA one sufficient or do you need to have the DHEA and cortisol test? (Being a higher price!)

[Spanglysplash in reply to Wired]

The cortisol and DHEA one. TPAUK have a discount code if you register on their forum. Just click on the registered users on the treasure chest button. Works out at £68

[rayjay]

I had the 9am serum cortisol test last week upon recommendation from an endo (who refused to see me because my thyroid levels are within normal range!) They expected it to be above 400 and it came back at 359 so I'm now following up with the 24hr urine test. They won't do the saliva test so I am considering getting it done privately, and I'm hoping to get to see the endo as my gp is writing to them again.