Cortigenix cortisol test results, low cortisol + Hashimoto's...

[Mummybear0213]

Hello all. I hope you're all well.

I came across Cortigenix recently, they test cortisol levels over a 3 month period using a hair sample. I had my results today and it's came back as my cortisol levels are moderately low.

I'm reluctant to discuss this with my GP after all the fobbing off I've had in regards to my thyroid worries and know I'll most likely have the same attitude as they are very much anti- private testing.

What are your thoughts? I don't know much at all on adrenals so some explanation would be great, or what this means for me.

Just to add, when I did a private blood test with Lola Health a while back that also showed my cortisol level was low (considering the time of day I had the blood drawn and what the normal range is).

Thanks for reading my rambling (I'm extremely tired so apologies, I have 3 poorly young children and barely slept last night)

[JumpJiving]

 Mummybear0213 My GP is contemptuous of private-testing, although a private test possibly saving my life this time last year may have changed her attitude in my case at least. But, generally she is so anti private-testing that I know exactly where you are coming from.

With regards cortisol testing, the only test that a GP is likely to pay any attention to (although even that may be a battle, but one worth fighting) is an early morning (8-9am) cortisol blood test. The chances of a GP paying any attention to a saliva-based cortisol test is near zero, and the chances of paying attention to a hair-based cortisol test is even less than that.

If you are concerned about low cortisol, I would advise getting the early morning (8-9am) cortisol blood test done. For it to be interpreted correctly, steroids have to be avoided beforehand (which can be risky for asthmatics using steroid-based inhalers), definitely earlier that morning, but many would say the afternoon/evening before as well. Oral HRT has to be stopped for 6 weeks in advance. Transdermal HRT is debatable - official guidelines say it is ok, anecdotal reports say it has to be stopped too for some people. If you can persuade your GP to organise the blood test (based on symptoms), that would be preferable, but otherwise MediChecks etc do it.

The later in the day after 9am that a cortisol blood test is done, the less useful it is (for low results anyway), and many doctors will reject the result completely (my GP rejected my first one as it was done around 10am, even though the level was such that I should have been admitted as an emergency - when it was repeated at 9am I ended up in Same Day Emergency Care).

[D911 in reply to JumpJiving]

hi I’ve happened upon this post as I need to book in for a cortisol test with the Drs. Could you tell me more about why oral HRT needs to be stopped for 6 weeks prior to the test? I tend to have REALLY REALLY low mood without the HRT I take and this concerns me. Thank you

[Holistichealth86]

I also had the Cortigenix test, which contributed to my GP taking my symptoms seriously. My GP referred me for further investigations due to abnormal cortisol levels. I’m really grateful she did, as I’m now having investigations for a potential tumour. My previous 9am cortisol blood test didn’t detect the issue. I think this is because a 9am test only looks at a narrow window of your cortisol levels and not the whole picture. Cortigenix results took about 2 weeks which was a little longer than I expected. I’d recommend sharing this with your GP as well.