Shkrt synacthen test side effects

[dlp5]

This morning I had a short synacthen test. The nurse mentioned to me about getting a red face and other effects whilst having the test. But I'm a bit mixed up as to whether she said that getting the red face usually happened to people with adrenal insufficiency or to people without. I did get the facial flushing and some strange feelings. Anyone help on this??

[Hidden]

Some people do say that they get the flushed face but I'm not really sure it means anything. The artificial ACTH is out of your system pretty quickly. They process the bloods on the same day so if there is an issue they should contact you within the next couple of days.

[dlp5 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Pauline s. I wonder if you can help me because you seem quite knowledgeable on the cortisol situation have been talking about etc. I don't know if I'm barking up the wrong tree but my GPS have just rung to tell me something not related to this issue. I thought while I was on the phone I would see if the synacthen test results from yesterday had by chance gone to my GP as well as to my rheumatologist who is the one who asked for the test. They looked and said that yes they were normal. I asked could they tell me the figures and was told that the baseline pre-test was 82 the 30-minute was 150 something and the 60 Minute was was 280 or so I can't remember. I said that I was a bit bothered because I didn't think that was in the normal ranges but she said well when they come from the Lab they show up red if they are abnormal. Now this is only coming from the secretary at my GPS but if those figures are what she's telling me surely that's not right ? My rheumatologist as I say was the one who ordered the test but she also had done a random cortisol test back in February which was 46 and she didn't let me know for 3 months. The problem is she is absolutely hopeless and never let me know anything. I'm a little bit concerned but I'm frightened of making a fuss. I know that results vary from lab to lab and I'm a bit it bothered about kicking up a fuss trying to get hold of my rheumatologist. any advice you could give would be really appreciated.

[Hidden in reply to dlp5]

I'm just on my way out but a cortisol of 46is an immediate diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency!!!!! Your SST results are no where near normal either,your base cortisol is very low & you didn't stim to 450!! Please contact your Rheumy asap & ask for steroids, this is a life threatening condition & you need treatment. I'm no medical doctor but they are messing with your health! Are you feeling sick, have diaorrhea & feeling faint? If you have any of these then go to A&E & tell them that you have adrenal insufficiency.

[dlp5 in reply to Hidden]

I thought that wasn't right. I've had terrible symptoms for months and months but I have just been passed off with it as part of my normal illness and being neurotic to be honest. I have said for years and years that there has been problem other than what we knew about. I don't really know what to do as there is no way I will get to speak to her now today. They have thought that a lot of it was in my head because they couldn't find out what was wrong but she never did the right tests obviously, and then in the middle of all this I have actually just lost my husband a couple of months ago. I had nursed him for a few months it's even though I am disabled myself and the rheumatologist said that is why she hadn't got me in for a test or let me know about the random cortisol. I said about the doctor's had phoned me for something else well l actually it was to tell me they had a letter from my rheumatologist saying that a blood test in early July showed that I need B12 and iron and they had only just got the letter today. And that's what I'm up against and as I say I'm disabled so it's very difficult. Why do you think that the test results of the synacthen test yesterday day would go to the surgery from the Lab and show up in the blue as normal rather than flagged red as as abnormal thus making the secretary tell me they are normal. I tried explaining that I didn't think they were and she said I would have to try and chase it up with the lab.

[Hidden in reply to dlp5]

I am really sorry that you are coping with so much especially so close to the death of your husband, grief is exhausting enough without having to deal with these other issues too! I don't know why they said they were normal when they aren't! As it was your rheumatologist that ordered them you should ask to be referred to an Endocrinologist. However you need to see one who is experienced in pituitary/adrenal issues.Sadly many Endo don't have enough experience in this area of medicine. If you message me privately I can tell you where you ought to be seen. I don't know if you are on FB but there is a really good group of there called UK Addisons disease info & support group. Otherwise look at the website addisons.org.uk for more info.

[dlp5 in reply to Hidden]

PaulineS

Hi. Thanks for your offer. How do i go about private messaging you? Xxx

[Hidden in reply to dlp5]

Click on my name & it should give you the option to message me via chat.

[Angel_of_the_North]

I didn't have that at all. All I had was uncontrollable crying - my test was abnormal - but I felt fantastic after it