Syncathen Test

[cazmania7]

Hey guys, I hope everyone is safe and well!

I am seeing a Professor who has asked my GP to perform a syncathen test. They have agreed, hurrah!

When I do the saliva test it had to be done a week or so before period. Does the timing for this test need to be the same, does anyone know?

My cortisol levels on the saliva test were very low during the day according to the test and suggested dysfunction.

Thanks guys!

[Hidden]

I don't think your period will affect the results. The test is best done first thing in the morning to get an accurate result. Are they going to do an ACTH blood test as well? This needs to go on ice straight away so if you are having it done at a GP surgery they might not be able to do it. The ACTH shows if the issue is with the pituitary so it is fairly important to have done. You can pass the SST if your adrenal glands respond to the artificial ACTH injected, the result should be over 450nmol/Ls to pass.

[cazmania7 in reply to Hidden]

Hey Pauline! Thanks for your reply! ACTH wasn’t mentioned actually but maybe he might suggest that based on the results of the syncathen test?

I will make sure they do the syncathen test first thing, then. Thanks for letting me know the results I am looking for, too 😀

[Hidden in reply to cazmania7]

If your base line cortisol is low but it responds to the injection of ACTH then that shows your adrenal glands are working, however by testing your ACTH levels could show if it is your pituitary gland that is not working properly so you would have secondary adrenal insufficiency but it still treated the same as primary/Addisons with steroids. I have secondary as I had a pituitary tumour, once it was removed I didn't make enough ACTH to stimulate my adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

[cazmania7 in reply to Hidden]

Oh, I think I understand a bit better. Well my guy is meant to be really good so I’m sure if they don’t test it (I don’t think they will as they hadn’t heard of the syncathen test!) he will revisit this if needed!

Thanks so much for your reply!

[humanbean]

For information on how an SST test should be performed, what to expect, how to prepare, and how to interpret results see pages 68 - 70 of this document.

imperialendo.co.uk/Bible201...

It describes how the test would be performed in a hospital. I've never heard of anyone having an SST test in a GP surgery before.

It is possible that your GP will just take a blood sample and have an early morning cortisol test done, which is NOT the same as an SST test.

More info on the different types of adrenal insufficiency :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adren...

I believe it is quite common for doctors to only test for type 1, but they really ought to test for all three - and doing that involves testing ACTH as well - and that is the sample that needs to be put on ice and sent directly to a lab which is why the test is done in hospitals.

Getting it done in a GP surgery means that you are not likely to get the ACTH test done. Just bear that in mind for the future.

If you've given birth and had extremely severe bleeding as a result then you should read about Sheehan's Syndrome - it may be relevant :

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheeh...

[cazmania7 in reply to humanbean]

Thanks human bean! The professor wrote to my GP and gave instructions on how to perform the test. They had not heard of the test before but went away and called back and said one of the nurses on leave could do it on return. I am happy that they have a can-do approach as my last surgery was very can’t-do!

I suspect they are not going to realise about the acth and ice, but I won’t push it. I’ll just be aware. The guy I’m seeing I’m sure will know if this needs to be looked at. He’s a famous professor that guys on here have recommended!

Thanks so much for your help! I’ll look at the link later when finished work. It’s handy to have this within my profile and messages to refer back to 😀

[McPammy in reply to cazmania7]

I think your ‘guy’ might be called (edited by admin) If so, he is mine too. And only with him involved will my NHS Drs listen. Well done for getting things moving and checked. 👍

[cazmania7 in reply to McPammy]

McPammy! How you doing bud! Yeh, you’re right, he da man! 😀❤️

[McPammy in reply to cazmania7]

Hello!! Just brilliant. I’m glad you’re now under his treatment. You’ll get the results you need now. I’m fab. I feel healthy and happy for the first period in 17 years, when my thyroid first started playing up. I’ve lost loads of weight from walking daily, over 3.5st And taking my T3 daily Gosh without this site where would we be I dread to think!

Glad to read you are on the right road. I’m really pleased for you. Really, really pleased for you. He will get you well!! 👍😀

[cazmania7 in reply to McPammy]

God I just so hope so!!!! I really am so glad you are well. I feel like I’ve got hope for the first time in five years!

[McPammy in reply to cazmania7]

I don’t know what he said to you. His first words to me was that his job is to make me well. And he has. All NHS GP’s and Endocrinologists will act now you are seeing him. I’m so glad you finally got hope. I’m sure he will help you out into good health.

[McPammy]

Yes, I watched that months before I saw him I’d just come out if hosp undiagnosed. I thought how fantastic if I could see him, never thinking I would.

You can dare to dream. Please PM me and let me know your progress.