endocrinologist testing

[Tanyaking]

would someone be able to tell me which tests are done by an endocrinologist to diagnosis a problem with you’re adrenals ? Many thanks

Tanya

[humanbean]

All GPs will test, as far as I know, is to do a blood test for cortisol. If you're lucky they will do the blood draw at 9am. But if you are unlucky they will do it at any time (a random cortisol test) and that will tell you nothing useful.

Endocrinologists in hospitals may do any one or more of the tests described in this document that are looking for Addison's Disease, Cushing's Disease, or will do the tests described as "Adrenal Investigations" where relevant :

imperialendo.co.uk/Bible201...

There are probably other tests in the document that are relevant to adrenals too e.g. the pituitary and hypothalamus produce many hormones and some of them affect the adrenals.

This may be helpful :

pituitary.org.uk/

[GlowCoach Administrator]

The only adrenal test I ever had done by an Endo was the short synacthen test. You'd have to have completely dead adrenals for that to show positive.

[Jazzw in reply to GlowCoach]

Yes, it’s strange how the medical profession won’t accept you could have partially failing adrenal glands… All or nothing thinking.

[caledoniancat]

A single test for cortisol may not be very helpful but if initial indication is low cortisol in your blood and/or your symptoms strongly suggest Addison's disease, you'll probably need to have a synacthen stimulation test to confirm the diagnosis. This would need to be measured at different times of day so I believe that needs the endo referral.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Best test…..not available on NHS is Regenerus Cortisol and DHEA test

regeneruslabs.com/products/...

cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0...

[Barrister]

A Short Synacthin Test is usually done at 9 am and an ACTH test should be done at the same time. This needs to be done in hospital as the ACTH blood will need to be put on ice and taken immediately to the lab for testing. This is to test for the level of ACTH in the blood and will help to diagnose Primary adrenal insufficiency (PAI) or Secondary (SAI). Adrenal antibodies would probably be done as well which will help with the diagnosis. However, first request an early morning cortisol blood test from your GP. If this is below 80 then there would be an automatic diagnosis of AI. Above 80 but below 420 and there should be further testing.

Clemmie