Cortisol test

[Kip4]

I’ve recently had a cortisol test, results attached, can anyone tell me what this means please. I’m about to have a synacthen test but I’m not entirely sure why if my cortisol result is in range. Thanks!

[greygoose]

Just being 'in-range' is not good enough. It's where in the range that the result falls that counts. And, yours is rather low.

[Kip4 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks as always! Synacthen it is!!

[greygoose in reply to Kip4]

You're welcome as always.

[McPammy]

Hi. I had a similar 9am result of 203. Which I thought was quite low and my afternoon result was just 68. I was terribly unwell. My SST was normal. Meaning no Addison’s thankfully. My ACTH though was low at 0.5 (2-11). Maybe get your ACTH tested too for secondary adrenal insufficiency if the SST is ok. I’m still not diagnosed after 10 months of being very ill. I hope to be soon! Good luck and don’t give up.

[Kip4 in reply to McPammy]

Thank you for your response, hope you get resolution soon! 😊

[Hidden]

Your cortisol test should have been taken over 24 hours i.e. test to be taken four times throughout the day for the correct result.

[humanbean in reply to Hidden]

It was a single sample blood test, presumably done by the NHS, and this is what the NHS usually do. The NHS almost never uses saliva tests, and many doctors deny that saliva tests are accurate (because the NHS hardly ever uses them. It's circular logic that doesn't involve logic at any point!)

[Hidden in reply to humanbean]

Yes I realize the difference I should have stated private test. Thank you, anyway.

[Hidden]

Although it shows that your result is in range, the range covers 24 hrs however cortisol is different at different times of th e day, it is at the highest first thing in the morning. What time was your cortisol test done? at 8-9am it should be nearer to 500nmol/Ls. You did need to get them to do an ACTH test at the start of the synacthen test to see what that result was. If your results double then you don't have Addisons disease (primary) however they need to see what the ACTH result is as you could have secondary adrenal insufficiency. Sadly many Endo's don't understand pituitary/adrenal issues so don't know hoe to interpret the synacthen test.

[Kip4 in reply to Hidden]

Corsitol Test was done before 10am in the morning. For the synacthen test I have a blood test before 8.30, it gets sent for testing, I then get given something, injected then retested half an hour later. Would the first test be ACTH?

[Hidden]

It could be but it could also be the base level cortisol. If it is ACTH then it needs to go on ice or taken straight away to the lab. You are then injected with artificial ACTH. Hope it goes well!

[Kip4 in reply to Hidden]

Hi PaulineS, I believe it will be taken straight to the lab for tests. I’ll ask more at the appointment. Thanks for your response and support!😊