adrenal testing on the nhs?

[ColdBanana]

is it worth trying? or are they going to only check for complete adrenal failure if i asked them? i have a feeling they will probably test what i ask since i've never had problems regarding specific tests before, but i would really just like to know what i should be checking.

i'm losing LOTS of hair in the shower, my head feels weird, fatigue is at an all time worse & simply getting out of bed has been almost impossible recently, and so much more. still getting dizzy when i stand up sometimes, and craving sugar/salt. i did the saliva test for cortisol with medichecks not long ago and the results were very slightly ^ HIGH, not LOW. but it doesn't line up with how i feel AT ALL! it's really frustrating. i have always been a none responder to NDT , going up as high as 5 grains , and i feel like my adrenals are suboptimal. At the time i did the saliva test i wasn't feeling tired like i am now either, just waking up in the night. i cant really afford to get another saliva test done, so i thought going through the docs could be an idea.... IF, they can test something BESIDES full blown addisons? i just feel awful and EVERYTHING! Feels like a chore

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE

03/04/2023

Your result is 4.19 mu/L

TSH levels normal (normal range 0.27 - 4.2 mU/L)

FT4

03/04/2023

Your result is 15.6 pmol/L

FT4 levels normal (normal range 12 - 22 pmol/L)

TRIODOTHYRONINE

03/04/2023

Your result is 5.2 pmol/L

FT3 levels normal (normal range 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L)

unfortunately i have not been able to get other nutrients tested. but i've never been deficient in anything really in the past besides vitamin D, which i AM supplementing now alongside trace minerals and a b complex. i did post my ferritin on here in a comment awhile ago but im not sure how to access my post history on this site. Thanks! would appreciate ANY advice!

[Barrister]

You could ask your GP for a random cortisol test but get it for early morning (8-9am ) and that will give an idea of what your adrenals are producing. If it is low then further testing may be considered for Addisons/AI (depending how low) and if it is high then further testing for Cushings can be done.

[ColdBanana in reply to Barrister]

Thanks! Would it be wise to stop all my supplements before asking, or do i just need to be worried about biotin?

[Barrister in reply to ColdBanana]

The main things to worry about for cortisol tests is HRT as this can artificially raise cortisol levels. If you take HRT then it’s advised to stop that for 6 weeks before cortisol testing.

[TiggerMe in reply to Barrister]

Apparently this is only oral HRT not transdermal they don't always make it clear 🤗

[TiggerMe]

I don't know about the adrenal test really as they will take a cortisol serum test but if you already know your cortisol is high it's unlikely to get you anywhere.... first off you need a dose increase to get your TSH down to 1 or below as this could make a big difference 🤗

If you click on your name it will take you to your user page with old posts and a Bio to fill in 😉

Edit... I've read a bit of your history now and I would suggest you get an early morning blood thyroid test done with your GP and discuss with them your symptoms.

I didn't understand you previously using 5 grains of NDT and thinking about trying it again? Looks like you could just do with some T4 to start with as your fT3 levels are pretty good. Getting your TSH down will take the pressure off your adrenals

[ColdBanana in reply to TiggerMe]

Thanks!Well, the last time i tried 5 grains. I was not taking any nutritional, adrenal supplements like i am now so i figured that could of been why it didnt work before. Also vitamin d deficient

[TiggerMe in reply to ColdBanana]

I don't think anything works particularly well until vits and mins are optimised as it just increases the strain on an unbalanced system

Putting NDT into the mix is just replacing and adding to what your body already isn't dealing very well with as your fT3 level is naturally at a reasonable level looking at your current bloods

[ColdBanana in reply to TiggerMe]

If they gave me t4 though would that even convert to t3 since mine is already high ? Because im not too sure how else to bring down the tsh. Which i reckon is higher now because i didnt feel as bad when i had the test done

[TiggerMe in reply to ColdBanana]

If you optimise your vits and mins T4 is the first thing to try and works for many, as your fT3 is quite good it would suggest your body is still able to convert well even though you are yet to optimise things

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What replacement thyroid hormones are you currently taking

High TSH shows you are not on high enough dose

Likely low vitamin levels too

What vitamin supplements are you taking

When hypothyroid Adrenals try to compensate for lack of thyroid hormones. This initially results in high cortisol.

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

I wasn't actually on anything at the time of the test (not even supplements) but right now im taking 1/2 grain thyroid-s before bed and a trace mineral, b complex, vitamin d/k2, and magnesium in the morning. That makes sense with the high cortisol !!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to ColdBanana]

Were these tests via GP

Have you ever had thyroid and vitamin levels tested by GP

As tattybogle says …..TSH is slow to respond, especially after taking NDT.

If you stop taking Thyroid S wait at least 6-8 weeks before testing via GP

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

so the thyroid-s CAN actually affect a cortisol blood test or do you mean a thyroid blood test ? i just stopped it recently but i took it for 3 consecutive days. i dont think i could get a test this week anyway since i am on day 1 without mega dosing BIOTIN !

[ColdBanana in reply to SlowDragon]

Would it help if i stopped the thyroid-s for awhile and then asked my dr for a cortisol test ? Or would the thyroud actually help reveal low cortisol ? I forgot to mention, im on adrenavive at the minute but i dont think its doing much

[tattybogle]

do you have a diagnosis of hypothyroidism yet ?

if not, starting and stopping thyroid hormone replacements is going to make it hard for you to get an official diagnosis because it can take months for TSH to return to base levels once dose is stopped .

Those tests were done when you weren't taking anything .. but how long had you been off NDT, when they were done ?

if you do want to get a hypothyroid diagnosis, you would have to stop Thyroid-S for many weeks . at least 6 ...possibly longer.

For a diagnosis of hypothyroidism , you would have to stay off NDT for long enough to allow TSH to rise over range for 2 consecutive tests (usually 3 months apart)

[ColdBanana in reply to tattybogle]

the tsh i posted here was after not being on thyroid for 2-3 years. i only just started thyroid-s 3 days ago. could that affect a cortisol blood test if i had one next week at the docs? thanks

[bagpuss61]

The most accurate cortisol test is the 4 point saliva test, that is done privately. It's taken throughout the day so you can see where your highs and lows are.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

To access your history, click on your own name or icon/avatar.

That will take you either to your profile - where your history is listed. Or shows a menu which offers Update Profile - which you accept. Then choose View my profile.

Screenshots + instructions to access posting history.

[Hollybushroad]

HiI have just been reading your post re medichecks cortisol saliva test. I did that same test and like yourself I was surprised at my results as my symptoms are consistent with low cortisol. I think it's a very inaccurate test and also doesn't check DHEA levels.

I then done another test through Regenerus Labs as they seem to be the recommended Lab on this forum. My results showed an extremely low Cortisol level at all four points in the day which is consistent with my symptoms. It showed phase 3 adrenal dysfunction so basically my adrenals are really struggling.I wouldn't read too much into your Medichecks results. Regenerus specialize in saliva testing.

I also done a 9am blood Cortisol test with medichecks and it showed my am cortisol was high 607 ( range 166-507) so again very inaccurate.

Perhaps you have since done another test since this post?

[Luckystay]

Hi ColdBanana, I'm sorry to be replying so late, I'm afraid I've only just seen your post, not been online for a while. I'll keep this as short as I possibly can, but basically I feel your pain - I have similar problems. Have you been tested for Conn's Syndrome? It's in a similar family to Cushing's, as in, problems with adrenal glands, but this is from the adrenals releasing too much Aldosterone(??) from one, or both of, the glands. High blood pressure is usually one of the symptoms, plus lots of weeing, night time too. A long story, but I'm hoping to be tested for it this week. I have Hashimotos too and thought my utter exhaustion was just down to this, but since I accidentally came across this info I'm thinking this is part of my problem too. Anyway, hope this is helpful to you. If not, good luck with your health journey, all the best.