Adrenal Insufficiency Presenting As Postural Tachycardia Syndrome

[joyagh]

interesting conclusion - "Given the right clinical setting, checking cortisol level should be a consideration in evaluation for an etiology for POTS."

http://registration.akm.ch/einsicht.php?XNABSTRACT_ID=130475&XNSPRACHE_ID=2&XNKONGRESS_ID=140&XNMASKEN_ID=900

[brethor9]

now that's interesting! I have wondered about cortisol as I was reading an article recently that said florinef is only one compound different than cortisol......I have had no symptom relief with hydration either....but have noticed the florinef seems to help with symptoms other than sodium retention and definately has an effect on my hormones...thanks for the article I will be forwarding it to my specialist

Bren

[E Soskis]

For what its worth....I was always taught that cortisol levels are lowest in the morning hours and flourinef sort of works like cortisol so.....I took flourinef twice a day: once in the morning and again at about lunchtime. I then took a low-dose phenobarbital in the evening and that supposedly stimulated a bit more cortisol production over the night hours. This regime kept whatever cortisol I produced at a more steady level - flourinef assist during the day and phenobarb assist at night. - At least that was what one MD explained to me and he specialized in generalized autonomic failure patients. According to my body, it worked pretty well.......

[issie]

How timely. I went to a new endocronologist yesterday. Guess what I had blood draws for this morning before 10:00 and having a 24 hour urine test for today ---yup cortisol. She's also doing autoantibodies testing on my adrenals and some thyroid workups - also autoantibodies in regard to the thyroid too.

Issie

[diamondcut]

Issie I have just had blood taken for cortisol last week (11.am) could that come back as normal when in fact a 24 urine sample should be taken? They are checking for hypovolmia too, but should i request sodium to be done by a 24 hour urine aswell?

[issie]

They told me the cortisol had to be drawn between 8 and 10 am. They are doing some kidney function test on me - since we know I have some issues with that too. I'm not sure that it will show properly if done after those hours - that's when your levels are supposed to be the highest.

I've got a call into the doc about the sodium urine test - so can't answer that one. I know in a comp. metabolic panel - sodium is checked in the blood - but, from what I've read - it does look like they need to know what the kidneys are filtering. Not sure she had that marked on me - but, trying to get it added - since, I'm doing the test already for another marker check.

Issie

[issie]

WOW . . . .am I IMPRESSED with my new doc. They called me back in less than 30 minutes on my question. It's already included in my testing and I asked for another test to be added and she is calling to add it right now. Maybe, I will get some answers.

Issie

[diamondcut]

Have you ever offcially been Dx with Hypovolmia, i know you have plenty on your plate!? I know they say its hard to get an exact result hence why I am wondering if bloods are not enough.

[diamondcut]

well that makes a nice change for once!!! Nothing worse than chasing PA's who really cant help!!

[issie]

Ha! They called me back and ordered more test - to be done tomorrow. They want an am and pm cortisol draw and have ordered some more test. Really, IMPRESSED with this doctor so far.

Issie

[Relax86]

Could be why HC pulled me out of my flare. I'm still not right but functional. Could not have done it without the HC. I went off too soon and had a set back. This time I'm taking my time getting off of it.