Perplexed, cortisol results.

[Katepots]

So I got my saliva cortisol results back today. I was expecting them to show adrenal fatigue but instead they are high!

I don't have the signs of Cushings and I'm not or haven't been on any inhalers/steroids.

Thoughts? Nothing hideously scary though please 🙂

[Hidden]

My results were similar to yours, I posted about them recently. Genova mentioned cushings on my results but they also said it looked like chronic stress which really does make sense as I have been under a lot of stress the last 4 years.

[Katepots in reply to Hidden]

Yep chronic stress sounds about right, I've been stressed forever haha

Mine mentioned Cushings too, I don't really have typical Cushings symptoms.

I'm booked to have further testing so I'll let you know the outcome.

[Katepots in reply to Hidden]

Found a good site.x

womentowomen.com/adrenal-he...

[Hidden]

With results of cortisol being out of range it is worth asking to be tested for Cushing's, you don't have to have all the symptoms to have Cushing's either. Those results are really quite high.

[Katepots in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I've specialist bloods tomorrow so I guess they'll test for cushings amongst other things....

Ho him, it's a never ending struggle.

[humanbean in reply to Katepots]

I hope you do get tested for Cushing's. Take a copy of your results with you and wave them under someone's nose.

Be aware that saliva testing and serum testing for cortisol are not testing the same things.

Saliva testing measures cortisol which is free for the body to use and it is not bound to any transport proteins.

Blood testing measures total cortisol i.e. free cortisol plus cortisol bound up with transport proteins.

It's a bit like measuring thyroid hormones. Free T4 and Free T3 give you information that you need. Total T4 and Total T3 are not useful.

In other words, the private testing is superior to the NHS testing. And yet many NHS doctors poo-poo private testing.

If anyone makes rude remarks about saliva testing tell them that NASA uses it for their astronauts.

And even the NHS uses it in the middle of the night when testing for Cushing's:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Cushings-...

[Katepots in reply to humanbean]

Thanks😀

I've had the saliva, shows high and today I had a short synacthen test. I thought that just tested for low cortisol but apparently not. Back to endo for results next week so I'll push for other tests. He'll be very happy to do them as it's private! Not sure I'd get anywhere on the NSH! My insurance won't cover it all though soI may have to pimp my husband out soon! I've forgotten what libido is!! 😬

[humanbean]

I've seen quite a few people saying about cortisol "I was expecting result X but it turned out to be Y." This is why people should do a saliva test before experimenting with supplements or treatments to raise or lower cortisol. I speak with the voice of experience.

Before I knew my cortisol was high I started taking NAX. The effect on my temper, which was bad at the best of times, was dreadful. Luckily I come from the UK and don't have access to guns!

[Katepots in reply to humanbean]

😂

I haven't taken any supplements or treatments for it yet so nothing skewing results...

[humanbean in reply to Katepots]

My answer was misleading. I carried out my saliva test one day, then started NAX the next day. Later that week I went on holiday for two weeks. I got my results when I got back from my holiday.

I stayed on the NAX for the whole two weeks of that holiday, scowling at all and sundry, and with a really filthy temper. Shall we say - it wasn't the most successful holiday I've ever had.

[QUE6T-33 in reply to Katepots]

Hi kate pots - where was that test done ?

[Katepots]

Saliva through blue horizon Medicals and short synacthen at Weston Supermare through a private endo.