Help with Laboratory Report: Please can anyone... - Thyroid UK

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Help with Laboratory Report

jupiterconjunct profile image
15 Replies

Please can anyone interpret these results from the Cambridge Nutritional Sciences.

And what I need to do to correct the situation.

The people from Cambridge Nutritional have suggested that I show my Dr the results of this test.

I'm afraid I don't feel confident in doing so, and in any case, I'm not sure if they recognise High Cortisol levels or Adrenal Insufficiency.

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jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct
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15 Replies

Your cortisol levels are on the low side & I'm pleased to see that they are suggesting that you show the results to your GP. Although many doctors won't accept private tests it should prompt them to investigate further. You need to have an early morning cortisol blood test done to see what your cortisol levels are, if this comes back under 350nmol/Ls then you should be referred to an Endo who is conversant with pituitary/adrenal issues. I had high cortisol which was due to a pituitary tumour, now I have adrenal insufficiency. It could be that you are losing adrenal function which may continue to deteriorate further. If you do have low cortisol then you are risking your health by not getting it checked as it can be a life threatening condition. Please show this to your GP.

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to

Thank you for your reply.

It's tough to get to see our Drs!

Is it possible to have a private early morning cortisol level done, and if so, do you know who with?

I am tempted to see a private endo and take these results along. Would It be worth it?

In the last two months, I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure and am now on 10mg of Ramiprill with no sign of the BP coming down.

Your right. I know that our Dr won't recognise low Cortisol.

in reply to jupiterconjunct

The early morning needs to be a blood draw rather than just a spot one, so you would need to find a company that would do that, I'm sure others on here have had blood tests done privately. It would be worth getting it done before you go down the supplement route. You could see a private Endo but make sure they have experience of pituitary/adrenal issues as not all of them do.

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to

Thank you for your reply.

I have used Medichecks on lots of occasions. Not sure if they do the one you are suggesting, have you any idea who would do such a test and what is the name of this test. Cortisol blood draw?

Interestingly, I used to take Nutri Adrenal Extra supplements. I'm not sure why I stopped. Maybe someone advised me to I took them for a few years.

It's good to know about the Endo and what to look for.

in reply to jupiterconjunct

The name would be early morning serum cortisol test. You could try Blue Horizon as they seem to suggest they can do blood draws. bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to

Thank you! I will try first thing.

radd profile image
radd

jupiterconjunct,

A doctors ‘before 9am cortisol check’ would show as adequate as per these test results, and not disclose the rest of the days insufficient levels.

This is the exact reason for performing the saliva adrenal profile which shows your adrenals are under performing in all samples except for waking. You could try improving output by life style changes, ie improved rest/sleep, yoga/reading, dietry changes, ie less coffee/stimulants, ensuring g/f, etc, .

Also supplementing either an adrenal glandular or adaptogen for low cortisol. Dr P always advocated NutriAdrenal. I can’t take glandulars as they make me feel swimmy- headed & spacey so use ashwagandha as my basic now. When diagnosed with low adrenal reserves I used Nutri’s Siberian Gingeng + Liquourice Tincture for a while. I have also always taken large doses of Vit C between 1- 3grams daily.

Supports are very individual and you might have to try a few to see what suits. Other popular are rhodiola rosea and holy basil. Also extra salt. I drink salt & pepper in hot water 😄

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct

Thank you for your reply.

Have you any ideas who will do such a test?

I will show the results of this test like the Dr at the Cambridge Sciences advised, and because it may need further investigation done.

But, I'm afraid I don't hold out much hope with my surgery as in the past, when I have mentioned Adrenals to the Drs, they dismiss it as a fallacy.

With regards to the lifestyle changes, yoga is not an option as I am far too overweight.

My sleep is not too bad (I get up a couple of times during the night).

I drink one coffee a day and have about three cups of tea daily.

I don't drink alcohol and eat a clean diet.

Everything is cooked from scratch.

I do have a sweet tooth, but this doesn't warrant the excessive weight that I have.

Cholesterol is and has always been fantastic.

I have always had excessive Ferritin levels, like double the range, and more recently, I been diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on 10mg of Ramiprill, and the Drs still can't get it under control.

I used to be a freestyle swimmer. I stopped this three years ago bc of having no energy.

By the way, I did use to take ashwagandha and stopped bc I wasn't sure if it was doing me any good.

I was advised more recently on here not to take the vitamin C because of the high Ferritin.

So salt is good for you when you have low cortisol levels.

radd profile image
radd in reply to jupiterconjunct

jupiterconjunct,

You should not supplement additional salt with hypertension, which is ironic because it could be the low adrenal health that is causing the high blood pressure. If you are bloated as well you could ask your doctor to test aldosterone (adrenal hormone).

If you have had an iron panel that evidenced your levels are elevated you must avoid supplementing Vit C with food as it aids absorption of iron. However, if ferritin is elevated through inflammation, then Vit C would be beneficial as is an anti-inflammatory. Vit C is also great for the adrenals glands that hold the highest concentration of Vit C in the body.

There is ‘9am serum cortisol test’ available from Blue Horizon, although am not sure what gains will be made as said above it will only show your most elevated level so giving false representation of your adrenal insufficiency. Also GP’s are often dubious in accepting private bloods, don’t recognise adrenal problems caused by thyroid issues, and your results are in no way indicative of Addisons or Cushings Disease.

The cost is £99.00 but you can receive 30% discount using the code TUK30.

.

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to radd

I recently completed the Adrenal Function Profile test for £99 with Cambridge Science and posted the results here. Is this what you are referring to for £99, or is there another test?

I will show the Cambridge results to my GP ( If I can get to see him) as per the Dr at Cambridge Science suggested bc further investigations need to be done.

But I afraid I can’t rely upon my surgery to do the right thing, and therefore, I need an alternative way to go, and at the moment, I don't quite understand what to do or which way to turn.

radd profile image
radd in reply to jupiterconjunct

jupiterconjunct

The £99 refers to the blood serum 9am cortisol with Blue Horizon that your GP could perform if so inclined, but is actually (imo) a waste of time in your circumstance.

Unless your GP is functional there is a strong possibility he will not accept cortisol saliva test results.

I do not think you need any more tests but to address low cortisol levels as said above.

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to radd

It may be wise to start the Nutri Adrenal Extra with Synergistic support. ( I was ok taking these before) I have a full tub.

Do you know how many to start taking?

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to radd

“ and your results are in no way indicative of Addison's or Cushing's Disease”.

What test would you suggest then?

My ferritin has always been double the range, and the GP ignores it and says it's ok.

My CRP is consistently high and has been for years.

radd profile image
radd in reply to jupiterconjunct

jupiterconjunct,

Re adrenals - I have already said twice I don't think the 9am serum blood test is worth doing. (There is another member who has recently posted re this precise issue - healthunlocked.com/thyroidu.... Note that PaulineS who advised of the 9am blood serum test had a pituitary tumour & elevated cortisol levels.

Re ferritin - which is a separate issue with separate tests. Consistently elevated CRP would indicate why your ferritin is elevated (ferritin is another inflammation marker) but to eliminate iron overload you would need an iron panel (which I previously referred to above when I didn't know about your high CRP).

jupiterconjunct profile image
jupiterconjunct in reply to radd

Sorry, I'm getting confused with other feedback.

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