I have a GP appointment next week to discuss possible Addison's disease due to low DHEA. I have gone on the NHS website for diagnosis and I have never had cortisol, sodium, potassium checked.
I have Hashimotos and polycystic ovary syndrome.
I am not a confident person and I don't want to feel like a burden to my GP by asking for a referral to a more knowledgeable endocrinologist. Am I being unfair by doing this?
Thank you
Written by
Sorana1122
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As you've seen on the NHS website, they wont be able to diagnose Addisons just from low DHEA, more testing will be needed. This is your health, your GP is there to help you, it's their job for which they are well paid, don't feel that you are a burden.
What makes you or your GP think you may have Addisons? What symptoms are you experiencing? Your GP can do a 9am cortisol blood test to see what your levels are, at that time of day they should be around 450, cortisol levels vary throughout the day. If you do get to be referred to an Endocrinologist you need to make sure that the one you see knows about Addisons as many Endo's only deal with diabetes or thyroid issues. I have secondary adrenal insufficiency.
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