tapering off hydrocortisone

[Thebob]

how quickly does hydrocortisone leave the body? I stopped the oral hydrocortisone 24 hours prior to a morning test.. it was 13.8 mcg/dl . I’m 80 years old. Can I start tapering?

[greygoose]

What's the range? And, how do you feel?

[Thebob in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your quick response!! The range is 4 to 22. My tests were in the 13 to 15 range prior to removal of the pituitary tumor, but the numbers went down to 1 to 3 right after the surgery so they put me on hydrocortisone.

[Thebob in reply to Thebob]

I feel pretty good but tired a lot

[greygoose in reply to Thebob]

Are you sure you're going to be able to come off it? How much do you take, and when? What's your TSH like?

[Thebob in reply to greygoose]

I take 15 mg in the AM and 10 mg in the afternoon. I didn’t take it the afternoon before the test or the morning of the test and the test was normal. I’m curious how long hydrocortisone ( oral) stays in the body. Do you know? I don’t know if I will need to take it for life.

[greygoose in reply to Thebob]

I'm afraid I don't know, no. But, I do know that HC is more effective if we take it all before 1 pm. It's in the morning that you need it most. So, one dose as soon as we get up, and another dose a couple of hours later. The adrenals should then be left to their own devices, to see if they work more efficiently after that initial 'helping hand'.

[Thebob in reply to greygoose]

Thank you very much; experiences I've heard here have had a lot of variation from it leaves the body fairly quickly to "it takes days". I will see my endocrinologist soon and let you all know what she decides to do. thanks again.

[greygoose in reply to Thebob]

You're welcome. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help.

[Thebob in reply to greygoose]

Thanks again… this is a great forum!

[Thebob]

I take 15 mg in the AM and 10 mg in the afternoon. I didn’t take it the afternoon before the test or the morning of the test and the test was normal. I’m curious how long hydrocortisone ( oral) stays in the body. Do you know? I don’t know if I will need to take it for life.

[radd in reply to Thebob]

Thebob,

For greygoose to be notified of your reply, you need to answer by clicking on the blue ‘reply’ button. (I have tagged her for you) 😊.

[Thebob in reply to radd]

Thanks

[Bambamg]

Hi I'm Dar . Hypopopituitarism. First op under nose 1995. 6 wks radio therapy. 2 nd op through skull 1997. Hydrocortisone is as I was told essential for life. Since 1995 . Hydrocortisone 15 mg am. 10mg 1pm.5mg 5pm.

[Thebob in reply to Bambamg]

Thank you very much; that is more than I've been prescribed. I will ask about dosage when I see the doctor in a couple of weeks. thanks again.

[bagpuss61]

I take hydrocortisone, and the knowledge ive gained says you can't test cortisol whilst taking it. only if you went days without and that would be very dangerous, to cut off that quickly.

its all based on how you feel, not testing. If you are not feeling well on it, then it is likely that you are not taking enough or you need to adjust the times you take it.

[Thebob in reply to bagpuss61]

Thank you; experiences I've heard here have had a lot of variation from it leaves the body fairly quickly to "it takes days". I have so many symptoms at 80 years old, I'm not comfortable saying what is causing what... anyway, thank you again.

[Barrister]

Hydrocortisone is out of the body within 6 hours. That is why those of us with Adrenal Insufficiency/Addisons disease have to take it every 4 -6 hours. If you have a fast metabolism as I do, then it will be used up even quicker. I have to take a small dose every 3 hours.

[Thebob in reply to Barrister]

Thank you very much; experiences I've heard here have had a lot of variation from it leaves the body fairly quickly to "it takes days". I will keep my fingers crossed that you are correct; that way I can see if my adrenal grands are starting to pick up their job so I can get off the medication. thanks again.