Cortisol test

[Jamima]

I just got this test results from a 9am cortisol blood test. All usual pre test guidelines followed. It certainly doesn’t represent how I feel at 9am and I just wanted to ask - how reliable are these tests versus 4 point saliva tests?

[radd]

Jemima,

Cortisol serum blood is reliable in the sense it will accurately tell you how much cortisol (bound & unbound) is in the blood at the moment when blood was drawn, and yours looks a good result for morning.

However, it doesn't tell you how much is unbound (available for use), the different levels that vary throughout the day in a circadian pattern or how that cortisol is being used.

Why are you paying for cortisol bloods?

[Jamima in reply to radd]

Thank you Radd. My continuing symptoms seem to align with low cortisol. My last saliva test showed low throughout the day. My gp won’t test.

[Jamima in reply to Jamima]

I took that test 2 days ago, I was so foggy headed I couldn’t really work out what the instructions were saying. If it’s not low cortisol, it’s low something as I get several points throughout the day where I get a ‘surge’ of something which leaves me more clear headed. My head is clearest at 2am. Obviously this isn’t practical.

[radd in reply to Jamima]

Jamima,

Oh how horrible, poor you.

Surges are most likely adrenaline. A real problem coz if you use it up you feel terrible for days (crashing) and if you don’t you’re feel like a cat on a hot tin roof.

You have just started medicating Levothyroxine which will have increased metabolism. If it increases more than other systems (such as HPA axis) can keep up with, then adrenaline will step in if cortisol is already compromised. When I had this it was always accompanied with internal vibrations and complete brain fog.

Doctors such as Dr Peatfield advocated to treat adrenals first and then thyroid when hypothyroidism had been mismanaged for years. You might benefit from adrenals glandulars (I didn’t but many do), also general advice such as optimising iron and nutrients. It's all so tricky as one thing drives another and becomes a vicious circle.

[Jamima in reply to radd]

I had to stop the levo as I felt absolutely awful, more weak, more foggy, more tired. That’s what made me think it was possibly compromising adrenals and to get tested. I’ve tried adrenal glandular and it’s not a great fit. The only thing that seems to work is Siberian ginseng. I had a good day yesterday, good energy, did a lot and today I’ve completely crashed. Freezing and exhausted on sofa all day. Completely foggy brain. Just don’t know what to do next.

[radd in reply to Jamima]

Jamima,

I’ve just remembered I replied to you re insulin resistance. Yet another symptom of low cortisol.

If I were you I would be looking at a year long plan, maybe try just 25mcg Levo as missing hormones need replacing until adrenals are stronger and concentrate on recovering adrenal reserves, ie optimising all nutrients, reducing stresses in your life, resting, yoga, etc. It's annoying adrenal glandulars don't cut it for you either as lots swear by them.

Reading your previous posts it sounds like you could do with some HC whilst adrenals recover. Have you seen anyone private?

[Jamima in reply to radd]

Thank you Radd - I think you’re right about trying lower levo. I had thyroid test today and a few other things. I’ve only ever tried the adrenal glandular without adrenaline, do you think it’s worth trying that type? I’m going to book private consult when I get todays test results. Can’t really think straight today.

[radd in reply to Jamima]

Jamima,

Looking at your first post it looks like you have Central Hypothyroidism (low TSH with low thyroid hormone levels). Has any health professional ever commented on this? Have you seen anyone privately from the list of endos held by ThyroidUK compiled from members positive experiences? (email [e-mail])

You definitely need adrenal cortex as opposed to the whole glandular which contains adrenaline. You will be through the roof on that!

[Jamima in reply to radd]

Yes, I think I have central hypo too. I haven’t seen anyone, I had a phone call with someone just at the start of 1st lockdown and then she went off on holiday and I didn’t hear anything for a month so I just left it. I’m really struggling, need to sell my house but can’t rely on myself to cope as days like today prove that I can’t. I’ll make another appointment with a private endo.

[Hidden in reply to Jamima]

Jamima,If you have surges of adrenaline, adrenal glandulars can make it worse since they also contain adrenaline. You could try adrenal cortex supplements which do not contain adrenaline.