I have consistently had low blood cortisol on pre 9am tests (around 220) and my two saliva tests showed lower than optimal cortisol, especially in a morning.
However, a recent cortisol test showed it as 593 serum (101-536). This was a retest from one the previous month, which was around 300, the GP requested a retest.
Can cortisol naturally increase so quickly having been low for at least five years that I’m aware of?
In case it’s relevant, I have been taking melatonin for around 9 months for chronic insomnia, which I now understand may reduce cortisol?
I have just started pregnenalone to try and increase my below range DHEA, and know this is related to cortisol, but don’t understand the complexities. I forgot to note the date, but think it was around a week before my blood test. Could this artificially increase my blood cortisol?
I always try to stay calm before my cortisol blood test, so my cortisol doesn’t increase, but I usually have to get two young children to primary school at the same time, and it wasn’t exactly relaxing prior to my blood test.
I don’t feel any different and still don’t sleep without antihistamine and amiltryptiline. I still have symptoms of low cortisol, which I am aware is similar to high cortisol.
Any help much appreciated thank you 😊.
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CornishChick
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I have this diagram that I copied many years ago. The author has since deleted it from the internet. Whether that implies its wrong and/or has been overtaken by newer research, I really don't know. I think there might be some doubt about the "Pregnenolone Steal" theory now. But you might find the picture of interest.
thank you, I think I’ve seen you post this before, it’s a great diagram and shows why I’ve virtually no DHEA or testosterone, and apparently my estrodiol is low too!
wow thank you! I will have to re read a few times. Tbh I’ve never read up on pregnenalone steel as I’d read on here it’s not a thing. I was just taking pregnenalone because Dr Myhill says on her website to take it for low DHEA. I did try DHEA as she previously advised, but found it made me a bit short tempered, so thought I’d try pregnenalone to increase my DHEA. Am I wasting my time? Thank you 😊
However, a recent cortisol test showed it as 593 serum (101-536). This was a retest from one the previous month, which was around 300, the GP requested a retest.
Were both tests carried out by the same lab? At the same time of day? After the same amount of food and drink? After the same medicines, hormones and supplements taken at the same time as usual?
I think that cortisol can change quite quickly and it can change a lot. In some people it seems to get "stuck" and can be permanently low or permanently high.
You might find this link of interest, and the continuation in the reply after it.
Both tests were carried out at my gp surgery and I believe the nearest hospital analyses results for all blood tests.
Both were done before 9am within 10 mins or so of each other. I was told not to fast for the last two, although I’ve got a feeling when my first one was done, which came back 220, I did fast beforehand, but can’t be 100%.
I probably do take more supplements now than I did years ago, just as I’ve learnt more about high dose vitamin c being good for adrenals, and I’ve had a few adrenal cocktails when I’ve slumped in an afternoon, but probably nothing for a month, only due to timing and being out n about. I also stopped the small amount of T3 around a month ago as I am always at the top of range without it, and the endo was moaning about my suppressed TSh, not that I care what she says as she was horrible to me, but I thought I’d give the pregnenalone a try instead.
I’m not sure whether I should carry on with the pregnenalone if my cortisol really has increased?
If I was taking something that was completely new to me I would take it for a maximum of 4 - 6 weeks then give myself 4 - 6 weeks without it to see if I got any benefits or side effects from starting or stopping.
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Saliva cortisol test results please help 
Test results - low cortisol and DHEA. 
Cortisol Test
Cortisol levels
Low Cortisol - help please.
