Test results - low cortisol and DHEA.

[ShonaGreen]

Hi, I've just received cortisol saliva test results from Regenerus, see photo. This shows low cortisol and DHEA levels with comments mentioning established Phase 3 HPA adrenal gland dysfunction.

I'm a little surprised about these results, as I did my first saliva test with Medichecks in May and this showed high cortisol levels. I started taking 50mg of Levothyroxine this April when private blood tests showed low TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (results in earlier posts). I have been feeling better with thyroid levels increasing, although I still get very tired and am losing weight.

Should I be concerned about these results? I was going to wait to see the GP until I had done a Vitamin D test and to request an increase to 75mg of Levothyroxine to see how I felt. At the moment I feel like I'm having to convince my GP for further tests and they don't think I need to see an endocrinologist as I seem to be responding well to Levothyroxine. I'm about to start taking a Super B Complex too.

Any thoughts or other info would be greatly appreciated!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

ShonaGreen

Gosh, rather poor results there, I wonder why Medichecks results for cortisol were so different.

Dr Myhill has this article which interprets cortisol/DHEA results:

drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/Common_...

I think you should show this result to your GP and ask for a referral to an endocrinologist who may do further testing, and you may wish to do some research, one article to get you started:

biohealthlab.com/patient/re...

[ShonaGreen in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks SeasideSusie, that's really helpful information. I will speak to my GP about these results. But I'm now wondering if my asthma inhaler (Qvar 100) may be having an impact? I've been taking 2 puffs a day for about 5 years and I've just read that some types of inhaled steroids can cause adrenal suppression. But if that was the case then my initial test with Medichecks wouldn't have shown such high levels? I'm confused as to why things could have changed so much in 6 weeks? I remember the day that I took the recent test ended up being very stressful so I had expected to see high cortisol levels!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ShonaGreen]

A quick Google shows that inhaled steroids may cause adrenal insufficiency

mdmag.com/medical-news/pati...

eje.bioscientifica.com/view...

When you did the Regenerus test, did you list your medication, including your inhalers?

I can't explain why Medichecks result is so different, but I've never been comfortable with Medichecks adrenal test as it only does cortisol and they don't provide the graphic like Regenerus and Genova do, which I think makes much more of an impact than just figures alone, at least with the graphic you can see if you are following the normal curve regardless of whether your cortisol is high, low or normal.

[ShonaGreen in reply to SeasideSusie]

SeasideSusie

No, I didn’t mention my Qvar inhaler on the Regenerus form, just didn’t cross my mind unfortunately! I have 200mg a day which is a low dose. From the info I’ve read it seems that high doses, long term use and stopping taking it can result in adrenal insufficiency. But it’s definitely something to consider as a likely cause for me.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to ShonaGreen]

The form that comes with the Regenerus test does have a section where we have to fill in medication we take, with special sections for hormones, and other things. There is something about steroids but I can't remember exactly what.

I think you should definitely mention your inhaler and what "evidence" there is about it's effect on adrenals, and push for further testing.

[Howard39 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi

I have v high cortisol and it has been suggested to me from my specialist that taking prednisone may well be to blame together with being left with no t3 for many years.

In one of her articles Dr Myhill does cover taking prednisone / adrenavive to raise cortisol and dhea levels.

You are right they are poor results. The only plus is that they are both low. Having mixed results is more difficult to address.

Good luck at the GPs.

[ShonaGreen in reply to Howard39]

Thanks for your message Howard39. I've had a bit of a rocky road at my GPs (like a lot of other people it seems!) so that's why I've been doing private tests. I'm unsure whether I should see my GP about these results? I'm definitely not feeling as bad as I did a few months ago but still get very tired, sluggish etc but thought this was just normal during early months of taking Levothyroxine.

[Howard39 in reply to ShonaGreen]

Hi

There is no harm in discussing them. In an ideal world they could help at least with the cortisol aspect. I can only say that I doubt many GPs would understand how to address low dhea.

You could ask to be referred but I’d ask around before choosing someone in your area. I am so v lucky to have a v accommodating one.

My dhea was nil so I take pregnenelone which helps the fatigue. I did try glandulars but my cortisol rocketed to severely high levels.

( adrenavive has gone pretty pricy. I think horos do one v similar which is cheaper.)

Just be aware pregnenelone is a class c drug. You can buy it from USA easily but technically should be recommended by a consultant.

I’d try your gp first but you may have to self medicate in the end.

How are you doing with your thyroxine? Did you try an increased dose and get your Vit d tested?

Another v good read on the Dr Myhill web page is to insert the word orchestra into the search engine.

Good luck and ask if you need any more help.