Turkish Hydrocortisone

[Nicola1964]

Can anyone tell me what the above is for?

[Alanna012]

People with very low cortisol in a saliva cortisol test or a short synacthen test may be advised by a endocrinologist to take hydrocortisone.

[Nicola1964 in reply to Alanna012]

Thanks I don't think I have ever had one of those tests

[greygoose in reply to Nicola1964]

You probably wouldn't get a saliva test, not many doctors do those - although I have no idea how things are in Ireland. But, you should be able to get an early morning serum cortisol test, which is a start. And it's only if that is very low that anyone will think of doing a short synacthen test to see if you have Addison's. However, even if your cortisol is very low, but you don't have Addisno's, most doctors aren't keen to prescribe HydroCortisone (HC) because they don't understand it, nor how to dose it. So, should you test low for cortisol, do your homework before taking anything.

[Nicola1964 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose, I was just wonering what it was used for. I have enough to deal with at the moment. What dosage should I start on with the T3, I hope to have it within the week all going well.

[greygoose in reply to Nicola1964]

Best to start on 5 mcg for at least two weeks. Then, if all goes well, increase by another 5 mcg.