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Post by fractal1 on Mar 7, 2009 0:02:21 GMT -5
Hi Jill, I really don't know the best way to assess cycling cushings. I know cushings in general is DX'd from 24u cortisol... but even then, it can be dodgy. All of the symptoms you have mentioned sound low cortisol. I am also wondering if you might be mistaking your symptoms for transition between hyper and hypo-thyroid states. This often happens with hashi's. Let us know how you get on
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cjs
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Post by cjs on Mar 7, 2009 12:20:55 GMT -5
How can it be low cortisol when my saliva tests didn't show low cortisol and an A.M cortisol blood draw is just a snap shot? My BP sitting is 132/88 P 88 and standing is 149/93 P 84. I have bruises that appear out of nowhere, a buffalo hump that's developed over the last 5 years, I had 5 discs rupture from sitting up off my sofa, teeth crumbling, I've got fat pads on my collar bones with huge stretch marks, stretch marks on inner thighs, can't hold a book up to read or even hold my hand up long enough to pet the cat when she sits on my lap, muscle wasting, and weird cyst like acne that appears on my scalp, ears, face and body the same place, fluid retention and a moon face with an extra chin and can't control my weight even on a celiac organic diet. If you look up cushings you'll see all these are symptoms of cushings. How can you tell I'm having hyper and hypo thyroid swings? They have very similar symptoms. My temps never get above 98.6 on a daily average, last week my temps did drop, but I believe that was due to the time of the month, they are back up now. I'll let you know after I see my pit/adrenal endo the end of March.
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cjs
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Post by cjs on Mar 7, 2009 12:34:36 GMT -5
These are some of the symptoms of cushings: Sudden weight gain Central obesity Hypertension Facial plethora Proximal muscle weakness Glucose intolerance or diabetes mellitus Decreased libido or impotence Depression or psychosis Osteopenia or osteoporosis Easy bruising Hyperlipidemia Menstrual disorders Violaceous striae wider than 1 cm Recurrent opportunistic or bacterial infections Acne Hirsutism Forgot to mention the chest hair I've had since I was 28 and the beard and mustache I have to have lasered 2 times a year. And I was also diagnosed with DDD, spinal stenosis and osteo. Totally lost my sex drive and now I get up 4 times a night to pee and it's mostly clear urine. I know this is going to be worse than getting proper treatment for thyroid after 25 years on syncrap. Diagnosing Cushings and getting treatment is, from everything I've read, a nightmare.
Many tests are performed to determine if a patient has Cushing's. Here are some of them.
The Biochemical Investigation of Cushing Syndrome
Androstenedione Blood Calcium (Ca+) Dexamethosone Fasting Plasma Glucose (Fasting Blood Sugar) Insulin Tolerance Metyrapone Plasma ACTH (Plasma Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Plasma Cortisol Plasma Renin Activity (PRA Test) Total Carbon-Dioxide Content (CO 2) Two-Hour Post-Prandial Plasma Glucose (2-Hour Post-Prandial Blood Sugar) CT, CAT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): with and without contrast Magnetic Stereotaxis System (MSS) Petrosal Sinus Sampling Salivary Cortisol: Late-evening salivary cortisol is not intended to replace the current standard screening test - measurement of a 24 hr urine free cortisol. However, the salivary cortisol test can be extremely useful for patients suspected of having intermittent Cushing's syndrome.
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Post by fractal1 on Mar 7, 2009 14:37:38 GMT -5
Thank you for the information Jill I have never said that you have a anything, rather, I have made suggestions. In previous posts, you described that your cushings symptoms had gone. Based on the 'new' symptoms you listed, I said it sounds like low cortisol. Now you are describing high cortisol symptoms that have developed within an alarmingly short time frame. The rapid and severe physiological changes you have described is a concern. I'd suggest you get checked-out as soon as you can. Cheers
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cjs
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Post by cjs on Apr 13, 2009 12:13:02 GMT -5
Hi Ruth
I got lucky and found an endo who specializes in Pituitary and adrenals. I began testing last week. So far the only results I've got back are FSH 9 Range post meno greater than 35 LH 24 range post meno 40-105 Free Testosterone 1.6 .3-6.9 range <and I've been on compound testosterone for over 2 years so shouldn't this be higher? Estradiol-17 456 post meno range 73-323 Progesterone 7 range post meno less than 3 <also on compound progesterone for over 2 years, Dr said keep taking it even tho it's high> Testosterone 1.2 range <0.4-2.6>
I'm still waiting for the results for ACTH a.m. and P.m., serum cortisol a.m. and p.m. and 24 UFC, I still have another UFC to do this week. Do the results so far look like Panhypopit to you? Thanks
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Post by fractal1 on Apr 13, 2009 22:31:19 GMT -5
Hi there I'm glad to hear you've found someone who can help out. Are you cycling? If so, what time of your cycle did you get these labs drawn? Also, can you provide a list of meds you were taking at the time. Let me know when everything else comes in Cheers
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cjs
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Post by cjs on Apr 14, 2009 8:38:55 GMT -5
Hi No cycle. I weaned off all meds and supplements except cytomel, (which I took after my blood tests in the a.m.) 6 weeks before testing.
I had a partial hysterectomy when I was 28, am I correct that I use post menopausal ranges? I'm 49 now. I weaned off Zinc, Seriphos, Pro adrenal support Ingredients (4 Capsules):
Rhodiola rosea 200mg, Siberian Ginseng 300mg, Ashwagandha 400mg, Schisandra extract 300mg, Astragalus extract 150mg, L-Tyrosine 800mg, Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 500mg, Vitamin B6 60mg, in easily digested vegetable capsules. Vit C, Magnesium, Vit D, 1/2 Tsp sea salt 2 X a day and Iron, compound testosterone and progesterone. Thanks
Thanks
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Post by justaustin on Apr 14, 2009 9:17:03 GMT -5
This is just until Ruth comes back. I've seen cyclical cushings once. Poor girl suffered for some time. Her weight and fluid changes were quite dramatic. Several docs later, a doc put the pieces together. In her case, it was tumor(S) on her adrenals. She had pics of herself (various stages/cycles) on her bedside table to illustrate. It was rather humbling. Be sure they do dynamic MRI of both pituitary and adrenals(with and without gadolinium). I'd reserve P.S.S.until all tests are done and unless tests suggest pit origin. JMHO...it's a bit invasive. Your ferritin levels.... Did you stop iron for minimum of 3 days prior to testing? If you restricted your iron for minimum 3 days...I'd suggest reducing iron frequency. I wouldn't want to see it get too much higher...only if you did not take iron for minimum of 3 days prior. With your degenerative disc disease,crumbling teeth. Yes, it may be due to high cortisol(when cyclical,if it's the case) but please don't overlook the possibility of parathyroid issue. I didn't see a calcium level on page1. If not tested(recently) have the docs order calcium, ionized calcium and parathyroid hormone level(PTH). Also, don't overlook low growth hormone as possible contributer too. As Ruth suggested, you need IGF-1,IGF binding protein 3, growth hormone levels tested(first thing in morning/fasting). You can possibly do a 24hour urine for growth hormone the next time you do a 24hour urine for free cortisol. I'd call and see if it's possible. ;D Laurie
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