Q: might have figured out my problem. low acth <5 pg/ml but normal cortisol levels 15.6 pg/ml at 1030 am. doctor thinks addisons but how when cortisol is normal? cant get answer from doc at the moment! every other test was normal. thank you?

: True Addison's disease would have elevated ACTH levels. A secondary adrenal insufficiency (pituitary problem) would cause a low ACTH. To diagnose, you would need an ACTH stimulation test. The other concerns would be any drugs/medications you are taking causing these levels or Non-ACTH Dependent Hypercortisolism, usually caused by a non-cancerous adrenal tumor.

Question 1

hi, i'm allison. currently i'm having problems with my private area. there is brown discharge and i don't have any infections. help me understand?

Accepted Answer

Brown discharge: Brown discharge is usually just old blood being cleaned out of the uterus.

Question 2

hello, my name is allison. im 30 years old. quite often, ill get lightheaded then my vision goes dark and im completely still, almost like i cant move. ill have these neck spasms also and it last just seconds. my head also hurts a bit?

Accepted Answer

: You need to see a doctor in person for a thorough physical exam.

Question 3

is normal acth plasma level enough to conclude addison's disease?

Accepted Answer

In general, no.: Too difficult to answer in 400 words, but confirmation of addison's requires a sequence of testing which must be performed and collected under standard protocols.  Generally low cortisol with very high acth should suggest primary adrenal insufficiency - addison's disease. Anything else will require further testing to help sort out the various causes of low cortisol.

Question 4

what are the symptoms of addison's disease other than low cortisol levels?

Accepted Answer

Severe symptoms: Patients with true addison's disease have severe symptoms that include: orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drops when standing leading to lightheadedness), loss of appetite (that can be as extreme as nausea/vomiting), weight loss; weakness, fatigue, darkening of the skin.  It may present as a chronic illness, suggesting an underlying cancer, as a result, the diagnosis is missed frequently.

Question 5

i have low cortisol levels, though not addison disease.  how may they treat it?

Accepted Answer

Many options: I don't know how your docs may treat but I'd advise adrenal supporting herbs like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola &amp; Cordyceps, reducing stress (both physical &amp; emotional), healthy low-glycemic diet, adequate rest &amp; meditation. Treat any infections (including chronic low-grade ones) &amp; avoid allergens/allergenic foods (often undiagnosed). Consider adrenal glandular extracts. See http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/

Question 6

is a fasting dhea level of 8.7 plus a fasting level (late morning blood collection) of 6.6 just cause for addisons disease testing? my endocrinologist is concerned, but 6.6 is still in the normal (albeit low) range.

Accepted Answer

Levels: If your physician is concerned for Addison's disease I would follow his or her lead. Endocrinology is not like ortho and sometimes lab tests can still be normal range, but you still have a problem. I would suspect your endocrinologist would like to do a cortisol level too.

Question 7

if cushing's disease also has increased levels of acth why arent these patients with hyperpigmentation like addisons disease?

Accepted Answer

Different: Cushings  is entirely different hormone disorder from addison's disease.

Question 8

why does blood bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) level decrease if you have addison's disease?

Accepted Answer

Loss of Aldosterone: Metabolic acidosis (increased h+ and blood acidity) due to decreased bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) level in addisonian crisis is due to loss of the hormone aldosterone because sodium reabsorption in the distal tubule is linked with acid/hydrogen ion (h+) secretion. Less aldosterone stimulation of the renal distal tubule leads to sodium wasting in urine and h+ retention in the serum, resulting in bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) drop.

Question 9

pcp dr thinks addison disease is due to 8epidurals in 2 yrs bcuz adrenal glands are normal.levels r off pain dr says not true wants to do9 is this ok?

Accepted Answer

Addisons?: This doesn't sound like addison's disease, but seek out an endocrinologist for evaluation.

Question 10

might have figured out my problem. low acth <5 pg/ml but normal cortisol levels 15.6 pg/ml at 1030 am. doctor thinks addisons but how when cortisol is normal? cant get answer from doc at the moment! every other test was normal. thank you?

Accepted Answer

: True Addison's disease would have elevated ACTH levels.  A secondary adrenal insufficiency (pituitary problem) would cause a low ACTH.  To diagnose, you would need an ACTH stimulation test.

The other concerns would be any drugs/medications you are taking causing these levels or Non-ACTH Dependent Hypercortisolism, usually caused by a non-cancerous adrenal tumor.

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Doctor answers about:

Allison lovell

A member asked:

Hi, i'm allison. currently i'm having problems with my private area. there is brown discharge and i don't have any infections. help me understand?

A member asked:

Hello, my name is allison. im 30 years old. quite often, ill get lightheaded then my vision goes dark and im completely still, almost like i cant move. ill have these neck spasms also and it last just seconds. my head also hurts a bit?

A member asked:

Is normal acth plasma level enough to conclude addison's disease?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of addison's disease other than low cortisol levels?

A member asked:

I have low cortisol levels, though not addison disease. how may they treat it?

A member asked:

Is a fasting dhea level of 8.7 plus a fasting level (late morning blood collection) of 6.6 just cause for addisons disease testing? my endocrinologist is concerned, but 6.6 is still in the normal (albeit low) range.

A member asked:

If cushing's disease also has increased levels of acth why arent these patients with hyperpigmentation like addisons disease?

A member asked:

Why does blood bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate) level decrease if you have addison's disease?

A member asked:

Pcp dr thinks addison disease is due to 8epidurals in 2 yrs bcuz adrenal glands are normal.levels r off pain dr says not true wants to do9 is this ok?

A member asked:

Might have figured out my problem. low acth <5 pg/ml but normal cortisol levels 15.6 pg/ml at 1030 am. doctor thinks addisons but how when cortisol is normal? cant get answer from doc at the moment! every other test was normal. thank you?

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