Cortisol results

[Plumpudding]

I recently did a saliva cortisol test. 2 years ago my levels were very low across the whole day. My recent ones say that I have mid to high cortisol now. Does that mean I'm healing them? I've tried really hard so hope I'm heading in the right direction. Plus the expense of the test. They were tested with the same company just a couple of years apart.

[radd]

Plumpudding

Yes, really good news as show they have improved with encouragement.

Now, to review the cortisol circadian pattern & address any inconsistencies to what we consider as normal. If you post the results, members will comment.

[Plumpudding in reply to radd]

Do I put them in manually. I can't find how to upload the results as a picture x

[radd in reply to Plumpudding]

Plumpudding

At the bottom of the page you will find a camera icon (phone app or computer). Alternatively members type them in manually.

[greygoose]

It depends when they are high and when they are mid-range.

[Plumpudding]

8 am. 8.80 range (2.68 - 9.30). Normal to high

12.30pm 2.48 range (0.75 - 2.93). Normal to high

4.50pm 2.43 range (0.36 - 1.88). high

10pm. 0.69 range (below 0.94) normal

Dhea cortisol Ratio:- 0.03 (range 0.06 - 0.32) very low

Dhea:- 0.30 (range 0.25 - 2.22

2 years ago saliva results were all extremely low now they seem to be higher

Appreciate any help on this matter

[Maddy1956]

I would like to check my cortisol levels but am not sure which home test kit to use. Do you have any recommendations please? I'm UK-based.

[Plumpudding in reply to Maddy1956]

Genova x

[Maddy1956 in reply to Plumpudding]

Thank you - much appreciated. x

[Laurien]

You are looking for as high as possible (within a normal range) in the morning and low as possible within the range at bedtime. When it’s the opposite way around you are in trouble. If it stays high above the normal range during the day you can be in “flight and fight mode” meaning stress is raising your levels too high. The cortisol levels should return to normal levels after whatever stress spiked them. If they continue to be above normal you are not managing stress and over time will end up with adrenal fatigue. I suffered from the cortisol being non existent in the morning and sky high at bedtime - end result frazzled! It took almost a year to correct it with the help of a naturopath.

The thyroid can then start to fail if you don’t correct your adrenal fatigue. Control negative stress it is so key to wellbeing.

[stillhopeful in reply to Laurien]

Your posting was helpful to me as I have had a cortisol test showing high for morning, gradually reducing to normal at bedtime. Which naturopath did you see and how did they help you?

[Laurien in reply to stillhopeful]

I lived in USA for the last 15 years and my naturopath is in Hawaii. If your cortisol is high in the morning and tapering off at bedtime this is a good result.

What my naturopath did to help me ...My naturopath detected I was hypothyroid when nobody else could, she helped me with cortisol/adrenal issues at the same time and over 6-9 months I got my life back. More recently she corrected torn tissue in my rotator cuff with Prolotherapy (injecting dextrose and water into the muscle). I spent a year in physio not getting any better and she had my shoulder back at around 95% mobility in four months. She helped me loose 20 lbs last year by helping me understand Keto and that got my lipid profile down amongst other things which is also helping with severe calcium blockages of my coronary arteries. She also helped me heal my leaky gut. I think my life would not be recognizable without her help!

I am dreading having no one like her in Scotland!!

I am 64 and doctors here really aren’t much interested in what I have to say!! So I advocate for myself and try and find out as much as I can and eat a healthy diet. I have learned more than anything that a healthy gut is key to your overall wellbeing along with cutting out sugar and processed food from your diet. Keeping stress levels under control is also key. Learn that early in your life and you will save yourself a lot of health issues. Sometimes we are not ready to learn until we have many health issues. I wish I knew what I know now 25 years ago!!

[stillhopeful in reply to Laurien]

Thanks so much for your reply. Your naturopath sounds great. I am gradually learning about cutting out sugar and processed foods but then I think I am ok and am tempted by cakes (gluten free) and chocolate. I am 60 and hoping for a few more years yet. The NHS in UK is hopeless unless you are ok with Levothyroxine which so many of us are not. I get my NDT from a private doctor which is a big improvement but still can't get my energy or memory back. My cortisol level was way above normal in the morning but tapered down to normal at night. (I know it should be high in the morning but this was too high). Thanks for your advice about stress. Must remember my Tai Chi .

[vocalEK]

Years ago, before I could find a doctor to agree with my self-diagnosis of hypothyroidism, I was given a gallon jug and told to go collect 24 hours worth of urine. When the results came back, I was told that I have a "male-pattern output of cortisol." No explanation of what that means, and offered no treatment for my long list of symptoms.