Cortisol

[Amandajl]

Hi I wondered if any has any knowledge of cortisol levels. I had a recent 24 hour urine collection showing my level of cortisol to be 37 (25-200). As I have little understand of correct level, is 37 OK?

Thank you in advance

Amanda

[Hidden]

Hello Amanda,

Your cortisol levels appears very low.

I note from your previous post that you medicate on NDT. I have read it difficult to raise levels of NDT when low cortisol levels are found. Has this been your experience?

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands and although has many important other roles, it is vital in the synthesis of thyroid hormone conversion.

Cortisol levels ideally should be highest when we wake and fall throughout the day to the lowest amount throughout the night. Shift workers cortisol patterns are often disrupted.

I don't know about supplementing whilst medicating on NDT but I'm sure others will advise. What did your doctor//endo say about this result?

Flower

[Amandajl in reply to Hidden]

I saw my GP yesterday who said my cortisol was not Low, I've got an appointment next week with an endocrinologist, I'll raise it again with him?

Hopefully I will get my last labs results in the post today, so I know what my thyroid levels are.

[Hidden in reply to Amandajl]

Yes..they will be telling if you are feeling unwell. If not..then don't worry.

If this were me I would investigate supplementing adrenals as people with thyroid issues often have tired adrenals as they have to compensate for poor thyroid function.

I suggest Vit C with bioflavonoids but others who medicate in NDT will have better ideas.

Don't forget the medical establishment does not recognise low adrenal function unless "Addisons Disease" is diagnosed which is rare and dire.

Flower

[Amandajl in reply to Hidden]

I have a problem at the moment with taking vitamin C. As I have been diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism and have too much calcium flowing through my blood. I am waiting for a date for surgery to remove the adenoma

But I have been tying the adrenal cocktail

[Hidden in reply to Amandajl]

Oh poor you.

Definitely leave the Vit C out then..there will be sups to suffice.

The adrenal cocktail has Vit C in so be cautious if you aren't supposed to be taking Vit C.

F

[Redditch]

The important thing is how you feel. Have you done DR Wilson's Adrenal Fatigue Quiz? You can Google it and it's probably a better indication than a cortisol test as to weather you have an adrenal issue. 37 is within range but if you need a totally different number to feel great then it's no good for you. Sorry none of this is an exact science. The most reliable information is from you.

[BonsaiKid]

A better test for cortisol is a saliva test which is done 4 times over a day. Cortisol rises and falls during the day so a 24 hour collection does not reflect that. For example, yours could be too low in the morning and not get going until later in the day. The reference range for the 24 hour urine is quite wide so as Flower007 says yours appears low.

[Hidden]

37 is very low, when I went as low as 25 I had to take hydrocortisone. But I think they should test your levels at different times of the day. Cortisol readings are supposed to be lowest in the morning unless you're a night worker or very poor sleeper. So I wouldn't panic until you have some more tests done. I believe that a range up to 400 is normal as well (?) good luck anyway xx

[SilverAvocado]

Also, your NHS doctor will only react if you have dire levels - probably out of range. And they don't believe In the 24-hr saliva test. So you may have to Self -medicate.

[Eddie83]

Unfortunately a 24-hour urine provides no info about when the cortisol was released. If you were mid to high in the range, it would be reasonable to assume you're OK. However since you are low in the range, I think you should have a 4- or 5-sample saliva test to see if the peak you should have in the morning, is attenuated.

[Barb1949]

My cortisol level was 18 (25-200). The endo says I do not have Addisons (thank goodness), but has not offered any treatment.

I have secondary Hyperparathyroid and my thyroid gland has atrophied.

Should I be supplementing my adrenals?

I am currently taking 150mcg thyroxine and 10mcgT3, shortly to be raised to 20 mcg.

Barb

[Clutter in reply to Barb1949]

Barb1949, best to post your own question. Amanda doesn't know the answer and others won't see your question tagged on to her thread.

[Barb1949 in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, the second part of this reply was meant to be on another thread. I edited the wrong one. I am cracking up a bit! The brain fog isn't improving yet.

Barb

[Clutter in reply to Barb1949]

Barb, mine resolved eventually, so now I think occasional lapses might be age related which is depressing

[Barb1949 in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, I'm hoping mine will improve when I get on a higher dose of T3. I can tell a difference already on 10mcg but hoping for more.

Barb