Cortisol level

[anjh-blue]

Can anyone help.

My daughter has Hash's and had her regular bloods taken which look Ok. However, I asked the endo why VitD was not on the first blood test so l asked for another b-test. 2nd test included several other test one being Cortisol. It seems my daughters Cortisol level was 175 (range 174 - 497) so her level is very low. For ages she has been feeling dizzy and tired and feeling sick. She has Down's Syndrome and is not always good at giving me feed back but she is such a brave young lady.

The endo has recommended a Synacthen test in the next 2 weeks. I am so worried she might have Addison's disease or something else lurking in her system. She had a bout of Bell's palsy last year but still has that constant side of her mouth drop.

I am now really starting to panic as this test is apparently a synthetic injection with side effects. Basically could anyone help with a better procedure if any.

[greygoose]

I would think - and I'm by no means an expert - that before rushing into a Synacthen test, it would be better to do a 24 hour saliva cortisol test. Just because her cortisol is low first thing, doesn't mean it's low all day - as in Addison's. The cortisol test would show you if it was really necessary to do the Synacthen test.

[anjh-blue]

Thank you for that not sure where I could get a Salva test I will investigate.

Thanks again

[Hidden]

Salivary cortisol tests are not accurate enough to diagnose low cortisol levels, they are better for higher levels pointing towards Cushing's. However the Synacthen test is the gold standard test for low cortisol & you will get the answers almost immediately. There are very little side effects to the test & she will be monitored all the way through it all. Don't be afraid to get it done, the Endo has suggested it & they wouldn't put her through something if he didn't think it was necessary. I have adrenal insufficiency & although I haven't had the test as my diagnosis was as the result of Cushing's surgery, I know lots of others who have had it done. Have a look on the Addison's website or if you are on Facebook then look at the UK Addisons disease info & support group.

[Barrister]

I had a SST in November and had no side effects whatsoever. But I was diagnosed with Adrenal Insufficiency because of the SST and thank God every day because with treatment I now feel better. Your daughter, if she also has AI then the SST will help with the diagnosis and once on treatment, she can start to feel better again.

Clemmie