Low cortisol levels?

[slightlysilly]

low cortisol levels?

I called my GI on Wednesday because I had some cold symptoms and MIND NUMBING fatigue. I mean I spent a week as a total dope. They told me to make an appointment with my GP. So I went to see my GP yesterday. I told her about ending prednisone on monday. She ordered blood work for a few different things including cortisol levels. I have a blood work done this morning. The GP called at about 3pm this afternoon to tell me that my cortisol levels were dangerously low. We talked for a while and decided That I should call my GI And if I am what I should do. I have an upper GI scope scheduled for thursday. My GP made it sound like it was an emergency type of thing. When a nurse for the GI called back, She said it wasn't a big deal, and that I should Go back on prednisone and they will call me on monday. I am now back on 10mgs of prednisone per day. And will wait for the GI to contact me.

Low cortosol. Big deal not a big deal what's the deal.

 

[JynxGirl]

I was just reading about this the other day!
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/low-cortisol-levels.html
From what I can tell, it's a bad thing, but not a "rush to the emerg for treatment" thing.

 

[Anna]

All I know is that when the body is not able to produce adequate amounts of adrenal hormones (such as cortisol) it is called Addison's Disease, which is a medical emergency. When the adrenal glands are simply having trouble producing the normal amount of adrenal hormones, this is sometimes called Adrenal Insufficiency, or Adrenal Fatigue. It is not really accepted as a medical condition per se by doctors, however naturopaths and other alternative medicine practitioners do often diagnose it and treat it with various herbal remedies.
My GP told me that taking Prednisolone can suppress your adrenal function, because it replaces the body's cortisol with the synthesized version. This is why when you come of Pred you have to taper down gradually to give your body time to adapt to having to produce its own cortisol again.

I have no idea whether your particular situation is dire or not - would probably depend on your specific levels. However, maybe the best thing to do would be to take pred again but taper much more slowly.

Hope that all makes sense.

 

[slightlysilly]

I ran down to the ER this morning (since it's Saturday). My legs were killing me and I had had enough of the dopiness. Of course they couldn't do anything... oh.. my potassium is a tad low.. I had to get some bananas. Joy.

 

[lostpanda]

HI Folks, I couldn't help but notice the post on Cortasol or the lack of it. From 98 to 2006 the only thing that calmed down my flares was high levels of Pred, nothing else worked. Levels at 80 mg to 10mg and anywhere in between cycled for 8 years. Once I had surgery to remove my lg. colon, the Crohns shutdown. It left my body dependent on Pred. My GI Dr. explained that the Adrenal glands actually shrink and the output of the cortasol is so low, my body developed a faux arthritis. They sent me to a RA doctor to slowly wean me off the stuff. Joint pain and muscle weakness was a daily companion. It took me two hands to turn a door knob. It was almost a year before I was completely off the Pred, the drug I love to hate. The cortasol levels finally returned to normal and the symptoms subsided. High levels of Pred. over such a long time destroys muscle mass. I am still working on that. Most embarrassing moment; went to the local hardware store to get some 50 lb bags of pre-mixed concrete, a sales lady had to help me put the stuff in my van. It’s a wonderful drug but…..