Help please! Adrenal fatigue?!? Addison?!?

[Caesard]

two months ago I've found ACTH (and Ferritin) marginally over max limit while blood cortisol normal.

Salivary cortisol was normal, though on the low side for the day

Urinary cortisol 24h average was normal, so is blood cortisol taken this week but ACTH increased even more.

What could this be? Addison? Might be the intensive exercise? (but wasnt that excessive...) The stress at work? (it weighs a tone sometimes...)

[Clutter]

Caesard,

High ACTH with normal cortisol:

google.co.uk/search?client=...

[Caesard in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, I've been on this route and found no clear answer.

A lung tumor is unlikely, the ACTH would be huge, mine is high but marginally

Congenital defect or gene defect - no, I've been known with correct values until recently

Addison - cortisol production (though a little on the low side, but only in saliva test, not the blood or urine 24h average) it is consistent with normal function. Unless I've caught it in the early development

pituitary tumor- can't say but will schedule a RMN soon enough; endo visit is scheduled previously

I would bet my money on a psychological stress combined with exercising too intensive. Nevertheless alternatives, like Addison scare me as hell!

[Clutter in reply to Caesard]

Caesard,

You should discuss the results with your GP or endocrinologist.

[Caesard in reply to Clutter]

That's my plan...my guy is a very good endo (leading specialist of the topic in the country) but also very busy. I have been put on the list since June and I am due only next week. Meanwhile, increasingly worsening test results and the waiting are killing me.

[Clutter in reply to Caesard]

Caesard,

You could be waiting 5 or 6 months in the UK!

[Caesard in reply to Clutter]

That's sad, whatever part of the world it's going on!

[Caesard]

Just to provide an update: while ACTH is increased (but not too much) I've seen the endo and received some comfort that it can be related to the (very) difficult two months that I've had. However, I was instructed to perform an suppression test (Dexamethazone at night, ACTH and blood cortisol tests in the morning) and a MRI scan of the pituitary gland (to exclude a tumor) + imaging of adrenals.

Will get back with tests results.