Help with cortisol levels please.

[lorraineR]

Hi all.

I have been having issues for approx 5 years first I was diagnosed Hypothyroid tsh fine but not converting to T3 was put on liothyronine felt much better not perfect but livable. Then changed doctors 2 years later who refused to give me T3 on advice from some professor, so put me on Levo which made no difference and I was back to where started, but having a very bust life depressed sturggling with two young children at 46 I gave in and struggled on stopped going doc's managed fora year in the end went back to docs completely broke down obviously they put me back on fluoxetene and surprise surprise few weeks later I got the fibromyalgia diagnosis all of these years never being referred so I demanded to see an endocrinologist. Finally got my first appointment 7 months ago who said I am not hypothyroid and never been took me off Levo went back couple months later thyroid bloods all fine tsh ft3 ft4 etc. So Coil removal booked and full hormone bloods taken plus cortisol 3 months later . Returned for blood results and I am practically depleted of all female hormones so Gone through an early menopause which still didn't account for all symptoms bur my cortisol was borderline low don't know results for that one bur as I had them taken at 11 am he asked me to come back 2 days later and have 9am ones taken which I did . He was expecting those to be fine bur got a call from his sec on Monday. I am now booked in for a Synthacen test on Monday. Got the results letter today @9am it was 192nmol/1 (although not worryingly low) his words? What is the normal levels? I am concerned it will come back normal and I won't get treated as after reading the symptoms apart from weight loss It seems to finally be a definitive answer to all my symptoms!

Sorry it's a bit long winded but I wanted to give you some background.

TIA for any advice.....

Lorraine. X

I AM WONDERING IF MY POSTS CAN BE SEEN OR AM I DOING SOMETHING WRONG?

[lorraineR]

I have today received a copy of my lady blood results unfortunately I do not have reference ranges for these bur any thoughts would be helpful..

vit D 55nmol asked to increase my dose.

Free T4 11.7 pmol/L

Free T3 3.36 pmol / L

TSH 0.85mU/L

IGF-1 17.2.NMOL

11AM cortisol 152/NMOL

Prolactin 176 mUL/L

17 Beta estradiol 169 pmol/L

FSH 42iu/L

LH 33iu/L

[lorraineR]

Hi I am just wondering if my posts can be seen?

[Ruthi in reply to lorraineR]

You need to post the ranges (usually in brackets after the actual figure). Each lab has different ones. However although your TSH looks optimal, your T3 looks a little low to me. Most people need it to be in the top third of the range to feel well.

But also the NHS cortisol test really only measures total adrenal failure. A more meaningful test is the 24 hour saliva test for cortisol levels which is only available privately. There is information as to where it can be done on the Thyroid UK website.

In the mean time there are some adrenal fatigue questionnaires that give quite a good indication as to whether its your cortisol levels/patterns that are the problem. Worth doing before you pay for a test!

adrenalquiz.com/

adrenalfatigue.org/take-the...

[lorraineR in reply to Ruthi]

Thankyou, Gp had me on liothyronine but Endo took me off it!

Will check our the quiz thanks. X

[Ruthi]

There's a general move against T3 in the 'profession', which is why so many on here self medicate with either T3 or NDT.

Your ranges?

[lorraineR in reply to Ruthi]

I don't have them unfortunately they only sent results.

[Ruthi]

Call in at the GPs and ask for a printout.

[lorraineR]

It was done at the hospital I will be ringing his secretary on Tues so will ask her.