Dexamethasone Suppression Test

[tecnograni]

My Endo wants me to have this test BUT as I have M.E and MCS I am worried about side effects is it safe to have it done

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Does endocrinologist suspect Cushing disease? Seems unusual.

Can you add your most recent TSH, FT4 and FT3 results plus have you had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested recently. These are very often too low, especially if you have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid disease) diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies.

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

Endo wants to rule out hashimoto's thats why he wants to do the tests But am worried about side effects as I am already dizzy with flutterings in my lower ribs ?

[Marz in reply to tecnograni]

Testing the Thyroid anti-bodies rule out Hashimotos - if results are negative. The test you are having is for Adrenals ! The Tests for Hashimotos are Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. Rarely are both done in the NHS.

[Marz]

Have been reading your post/thread of six months ago when many excellent suggestions were made. Wondered if you were able to follow up on them ? Did you manage to obtain your results with ranges ?

[tecnograni in reply to Marz]

I have to have another Blood test soon so will try obtain my results Thanks

[Marz in reply to tecnograni]

They are legally yours - so just request them when the results are back. You can only monitor your own health by keeping records. Do not rely on others as things will be missed. Also helps you to post here in a more informed way 😊

[Hidden]

A Dexamethasone test shouldn't cause any problems, you might feel a bit different for a few hours but that will settle & it all depends on if your cortisol levels are high or normal. Several members of the FB Cushing's UK group have been diagnosed with ME/MCS & had the Dex test with no real side effects. Your Endo is obviously testing to see if you "suppress" in other words will the Dexamethasone reduce your high level of cortisol. If it does then you may not have Cushing's, if it dosen't & the levels stay high then you probably do have Cushing's. Feel free to pm me if youo want anymore help as I've had Cushing's & now run a group for people testing or with Cushing's.

[tecnograni in reply to Hidden]

Im worried about the nausea & dizziness

[Hidden in reply to tecnograni]

I never experienced any, a lot of people in the Cushihg's group haven't mentioned it either & if you do it won't last long. It's worth it to rule out Cushing's.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG Thyroid antibodies tested

Ideally Thyroid tests are done as early as possible in morning and fasting to give highest TSH

Vitamin D, folate,ferritin and B12 all need testing too

Always make sure you get the actual results and ranges on all tests

These could have been done 6 months ago

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

latest results med

levo 100 mg daily

liothyronine 30 mcgs daily

Results are

Free T3 - 5.6

Free T4 - 17

TSH <0.01

Blood pressure 160/90

Weight 76 kgs

He said my T3 & T4 within normal range BUT TSH supressed

I dont understand the results

I have now put myself back to 40 mcg daily which is what ive taken for the past 15 years feels much better but still having dizzy spells... Now want me to go for Bone scan & Synacthen test BUT dont know what that is ?

anyone please advice

Thank you so much <3

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You still need vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

[SlowDragon Administrator]

TSH is nearly always suppressed on T3. It's not an issue as long as FT4 and FT3 are within range, which they are

This link suggests TSH needs to be suppressed

jeffreydachmd.com/2016/10/a...

Suppressed a TSH not a problem

heart.bmj.com/content/84/4/455

Not a significant cause of osteoporosis

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/825...

Long term study of T3 or NDT - no adverse issues

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/298...

[tecnograni in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks will check these out and print them to take to Endo

I am not going to have the Synacthen test I've studied the side effects and decided due to my adverse reactions to drugs its not worth the risk