Florinef - cortisol suppression?

[slimecity]

Hi there – wondering how people get on when they are on fludrocortisone?

I have been on it for about 1 month so far and graduated slowly from ¼ to ½ a pill daily. I feel tremendously better and am happy to say that this drug seems to be working wonders for me. I am taking it with good salt & water.

I take my BP every now and then and it seems to be now in the normal-high range. My ferritin and B12 levels are all good – FYI.

I am also taking pregnenolone 50mg daily as my aldosterone is still very low – my doctor has successfully treated me to raise other hormone levels including HGF-1, DHEA, Test and T3 & T4. All these levels are now OK.

I have two questions though. First, I am wondering if taking fludrocortisone on its own can reduce cortisol levels? Overall, I feel as though I have much less energy than before. I am intending doing a bit of a pee test next year, that measures cortisol levels throughout the day. My doc prefers this approach to a multi-panel saliva test. Also – she measured urine cortisol content over the 24-hour collection period and at that time (before I was given fludrocortisone) and she was happy with the results at that time – however I think cortisol is the last missing link I need to clarify.

The second question I have is – am I doing all that I can to naturally raise aldosterone levels? It seems incredibly hard to do this – and taking in salt seems to be contraindicated for this – whereas you need to drink it for the fludrocortisone. Any other ideas apart from the pregnenolone? Taking the latter always gives me bloodshot eyes – perhaps pregnenolone directly offsets cortisol as well?

Thanks!

[Hidden]

I'm really surprised that you are just on Fludrocortisone - are you not on steroids like Hydrocortisone? Usually people are on Fludrocrotisone because they have primary adrenal insufficiency (Addisons) It's taken as your adrenal glands are not producing cortisol but usually alongside Hysrocortisone. Have a look on the Addisons website or on the Facebook Addisons info & support group for more information.

[slimecity in reply to Hidden]

Yea - Im only on Fludrocortisone as my doc is satisfied that my cortisol levels are OK and don't need supplementing. Im less sure about this - hence wanting to get this checked via a better method. I also suspect the Fludrocortisone may be pulling down cortisol levels - but not sure? thanks

[Hidden in reply to slimecity]

It sounds really strange! I would give the Addisons org a call for some help & advice. addisons.org.uk/ or if you are on FB join the Addisons group - you will get some great advice on there as people are very knowledgeable .

[Hidden]

PS do you know what your cortisol levels were & what time were they taken?

[slimecity]

Cheers - urine cortisol over a 24 hour collection in April 2017 was 127 mmol (50-250). Blood cortisol at the same time in the AM was 512 nmol/L (170-500). Yes this blood one was high.

In august 2017 urine cortisol (24 hour) was 234 nmol/L (50-250).

So these numbers aren't bad but since taking the Fludrocortisone I have had less energy.

Cheers for the advice re: FB - I will check it out.