Cortisol Saliva Test

[mistygrey]

Can anybody tell me if this Cortisol Saliva test from Medichecks is useful or not so good, there is another one above that is £99 but both don't cover DHEA.

medichecks.com/cortisol-tes...

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Adrenal saliva tests should really include DHEA as well as cortisol for a full picture and interpretation. If you look at Dr Myhill's article on interpreting the tests you'll see the different combinations of cortisol and DHEA

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Adrenal...

Best tests are from Regenerus, who email results direct to you, or Genova Diagnostics and you have to name ThyroidUK as your 'practioner' and results go to TUK who then send them on to you.

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/r...

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/g...

[mistygrey in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you Susie.

The medichecks ones are probably no good then they are basic ones.

I will look into the other two you mentioned. Can you possibly read my original thread regarding the sugar lows and give me your opinion on this? I posted it today. Just looking for some advice before I see the doctor tomorrow.

Thanks

Kerry

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to mistygrey]

I've looked at the your other thread and don't know anything about sugar levels or why you should be feeling like that so can't comment. Maybe when your nutrient levels are optimal then you will be able to tolerate more T3 and things will improve.

[mistygrey in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for looking anyway Susie

[mistygrey in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie going to order this today. Hopefully get the results soon and can post them. I also need to up my thyroid medication doses but I will wait until this is back

[Barrister]

I did the Medichecks Cortisol Test and it showed that I was extremely deficient in Cortisol. My gastroenterologist decided to do a short synacthin test which showed that I had Addison’s disease/Adrenal insufficiency so was sent to an endocrinologist the next day and started on hydrocortisone immediately. So it worked for me.

Clemmie

[mistygrey in reply to Barrister]

Thank you Clemmie that's good to know,

I have heard this test is good.

What symptoms did you experience with the Addisons/Adrenal Insuffiency?

[mistygrey in reply to Barrister]

Did you do the 4 or 6 sample of Cortisol Saliva test through Medichecks?

[Barrister]

I did the 4 sample test. My symptoms were severe nausea, excruciating headache, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, loss of weight (16 kg within 3-4 months because I was unable to eat) muscle wasting, salt cravings and generally feeling very ill. I couldn’t do anything, even showering was exhausting. Because of the abdominal pain, I had a gastroscopy and 2 days later I had an Adrenal Crisis and was diagnosed after the SST.

Clemmie

[mistygrey]

oh dear Clemmie that sounds horrible for you that it got to that stage.

I hope you are on the mend now with it all! it is shocking how long everything takes. I am really poorly but I can function just can't work at the moment, so hoping for some answers soon!

[Barrister]

Frankly, I felt like I was dieing and had I not got treatment when I did, it would have been highly likely that I I would have died. The problem with Addison’s (apparently!) is that the early symptoms are vague and can be caused by any number of things. I saw GPs on several occasions, literally begging for help because I felt so ill and was palmed of with lies and shrugs of their shoulders. I was lucky that my gastroenterologist suggested the SST.

I am feeling better now but it is all a steep learning curve, living with a potentially life threatening disorder and having to take yet more medication. The treatment is hydrocortisone so that itself comes along with many other issues. And just because I feel ok on one day, that doesn’t mean that I feel fine every day. It certainly has knocked my confidence and I haven’t been put much since diagnosis at the end of November.

Clemmie

[mistygrey in reply to Barrister]

It sounds like a nightmare but I am all too aware of the never ending saga with GP visits and Endocrinologist visits. I am sorry you were so poorly it really is so awful when you are ill and you don't know why for ages, your whole life feels like it is falling apart. It is interesting that the Gastro doctor was the one to initiate the test for SST. What made him think you needed that at the time, did you also have gastro issues? I also have gastro issues, bad acid reflux and persistent unexplained diarrhoea, though my weight hasn't gone down it has gone up if anything and can't shift it.

I have been tested for the SST however that was around 3 years ago but it came back normal at this time. I have got better for a year or so on meds and then got ill again, so never really been fully myself though I have started to add T3 so hoping it might help but needing to also address other deficiencies such as iron and b12 and trying to rule out any Cortisol issues.

Just ordered the saliva test so heres hoping I get some clue what is going on shortly. I am hoping the Hydrocortisone has helped you a little, with everything with these illnesses time is always the greatest healer but lengthy time is always more than we can take sometimes.