Cortisol test, is it worth me purchasing please?

[Baggiesfan]

Can someone advise me please whether it's worth me getting a saliva cortisol test please and where is the best value at the moment? I've started on T3 nearly 2 weeks ago now after a private consultation, 5mcg x3 a day, I also take levothyroxine75mcg day, I think I'm improving but still getting lots of ectopic heartbeats, which I had before. I also have loads of the symptoms still as in the don't ignore your adrenal glands chapter in the STTM book. I did have a snapshot cortisol test with my last bloods taken fasting 06.45 on 31.08.21, 660 (166-507) so obviously this was high. Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon. I would appreciate your advice or experiences please. Thank you for reading all this.

[Hidden]

What symptoms are you getting? Oestrogen, HRT & Biotin (found in some supplements) can give an elevated cortisol result. If your cortisol was tested by your GP then they should be following up with another cortisol blood test & a 24 hour urine test. Did the private doctor know about the high cortisol?

[Baggiesfan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for replying, blood test private with Blue Horizon, only tested as wanted recent bloods to take to consultant. No HRT as such, I'm 64 but that's interesting as I had just started a trial of vagifem, oestrogen pessary to help incontinence, it didn't as I thought when I started them. Yes private doc saw the result and didn't comment only briefly as was unconcerned.

[Hidden in reply to Baggiesfan]

That's a bit sad that the doctor didn't pick up on your high result. Personally I don't subscribe to Adrenal fatigue as it's not a recognised medical condition, but from I know of it you present with low cortisol rather than high. With you it means that your adrenal glands are over producing cortisol. Symptoms of high cortisol would be weight gain especially around your tummy, difficulty in sleeping, reflux, easy bruising, round, red face; maybe high BP, fatigue, if you have any of these then get your GP to do further testing.

[Baggiesfan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, yes I thought I was low too, I do have weight gain on my tummy especially, trouble sleeping, reflux too though that's settled since starting T3, I've gained 1.5 stone in a year with little change to diet! My next private appt is early November. I had telephone appointment this morning with a gp, discussed cortisol and she just said recheck in November. I give up. I tried to discuss other things but it just felt as if she was trying to close the appointment. I just feel brushed aside yet again.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I wouldn't rule it out.

Go for one that tests cortisol plus DHEA. We also need DHEA testing alongside cortisol as this helps with determining stages of adrenal fatigue (if present). In the initial stage, both cortisol and DHEA will be high, the more we struggle to produce stress hormones then DHEA will lower, and more advanced adrenal fatigue then cortisol will lower too.

The only tests I know of that include both cortisol and DHEA are Regenerus and Genova Diagnostics. Both similarly priced. Details of how to order:

Regenerus: thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Genova Diagnostics:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Test is END01 on page 4 of the pdf when you click on the link.

I use Regenerus because they email you direct when your results are ready, with Genova they send your results to ThyroidUK who send them on to you when they have received your consent to release them.

[Baggiesfan in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you, that is interesting, I didn't know about DHEA , I've so much to learn. I think I will definitely test then and post results if I may for advice.

[Baggiesfan in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi, I've just ordered from Regenerus and read about collecting the samples. It advises stopping any medication with cortisol in for 5 days prior to the test. I'm on inhaler for my asthma with a steroid in, I'm unsure if its wise or if I'm able to stop for this length of time. What do others do please if you know? Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Baggiesfan]

Baggiesfan

I'm unsure if its wise or if I'm able to stop for this length of time. What do others do please if you know?

I don't know what others do. It tells you to "consult with your provider" about cortisol containing medication. You could ring Regenerus, the lady that usually answers the phone is quite helpful, but she may just suggest that you check with your GP.

[Baggiesfan in reply to SeasideSusie]

Ok thanks for replying, I'll try to ring the gp's tomorrow, don't suppose they'll give me a straight answer though.