Q: seeing endo soon, but i would like to understand my saliva cortisol test result. 1.94 mcg/dl (rr is < or = 0.09 mcg/dl) cushings r/o in 2012.

Wait to see endo.: Best left to endo. It is hard to interpret these numbers as timing, age and assay specific factors are at play. Can't figure those all out here. You will need someone who can understand how this test fits into the big picture.

Question 1

what do i do if my cortisol saliva test came back double the normal rate?

Accepted Answer

See you MD: All medical tests are subject to errors.  If this is the first time you have had an abnormal reading it would be best to rerun the test.  Various conditions may cause the cortisol levels in the saliva to increase. It would be best to consult with your md to properly evaluate the cause of these findings.

Question 2

i had a cortisol saliva test done and the morning&lunch values were low normal, evening was right on and night was very high, could this be cushings?

Accepted Answer

Cushing's not likely: This would be very atypical. Low cortisol levels are not typical. This could be clarified with a 24 hr urine collection for free cortisol or an overnight  Dexamethasone suppression test.

Question 3

cortisol saliva test very high, but dexa suppression test normal. have had fatigue, low bp, weakness for years. which test to believe, and what now?

Accepted Answer

Cushing's: There are several ways to screen for Cushings: 24 hr urine cortisol, overnight dex suppression, and midnight salivary cortisol.  All  would be altered if you took a steroid suppository.  All need confirmation from other tests. Intermittant steroid use can cause symptoms of Cushing's, but no reason to think there is a tumor if you are taking steroids. You may need to see an Endocrinologist.

Question 4

cortisol saliva was very high, but i feel great when on steroids and have low bp, fatigue, weakness. how can it be high cortisol w/these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Depends on time: you need to see all of the cortisol levels four times a day in order to see what the overall story is. You may have one high and the rest low and having stressors throughout the day hindering you   The prednisone also is causing problems with your natural levels   See a functional medicine provider to assess your levels and help you correct any problems so you begin to feel better

Question 5

saliva cortisol test - how accurate can a saliva test be?

Accepted Answer

Very accurate.: Saliva cortisol test is great for finding out if you are overproducing cortisol.  Collected at midnight (assuming a normal sleep/awake pattern), salivary cortisol level is normally very low.  When elevated, it indicates that a patient may be overproducing cortisol (cushing syndrome).  The salivary cortisol test is not a good test for detecting underproduction of cortisol (adrenal insufficiency).

Question 6

what is the definition or description of: saliva cortisol?

Accepted Answer

Salivary cortisone: Cortisone in the saliva can mean a disease that produces too mych cortisone. Cuchings disease is one of these.

Question 7

why is my saliva cortisol result so high?  is saliva testing not as accurate?

Accepted Answer

High cortisol: High cortisol may be due to a number of conditions, including a tumor in the pituitary gland or adrenal gland(s), stress, pain, illness, or taking steroids, or something that interferes with the test.  The only way to find out what is causing your cortisol level to be high is to work together with a doctor.

Question 8

i received slightly high saliva cortisol levels from recent test.  what is a good approach to deal with this?

Accepted Answer

Salivary Cortisol: First, ensure the test was at or near midnight.  There are not well recognized standard values  for disease processes outside the midnight timing. 2nd, get a 24 hour urine cortisol.  A normal 24 hour cortisol may indicate either a cyclic process or a physiologic change with cortisol (a reaction to a stressor, disrupted diurnal rhythm, obstructive sleep apnea).  If high - Dexamethasone suppression.

Question 9

7 midnight saliva cortisols done. lab range is 1-4nm. 4 out of 7 came back as 4nm. two came back as 2nm and one came back as 3nm. said i was high end of normal. possible cushings?

Accepted Answer

: Those borderline results can only be accurately interpreted in the whole clinical manifestations: symptoms, clinical findings and other lab results.

Question 10

seeing endo soon, but i would like to understand my saliva cortisol test result. 1.94 mcg/dl (rr is < or = 0.09 mcg/dl)  cushings r/o in 2012.

Accepted Answer

Wait to see endo.: Best left to endo.  It is hard to interpret these numbers as timing, age and assay specific factors are at play.  Can't figure those all out here. You will need someone who can understand how this test fits into the big picture.

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Doctor answers about:

Cortisol saliva

A member asked:

What do i do if my cortisol saliva test came back double the normal rate?

A member asked:

I had a cortisol saliva test done and the morning&lunch values were low normal, evening was right on and night was very high, could this be cushings?

A member asked:

Cortisol saliva test very high, but dexa suppression test normal. have had fatigue, low bp, weakness for years. which test to believe, and what now?

A member asked:

Cortisol saliva was very high, but i feel great when on steroids and have low bp, fatigue, weakness. how can it be high cortisol w/these symptoms?

A member asked:

Saliva cortisol test - how accurate can a saliva test be?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: saliva cortisol?

A member asked:

Why is my saliva cortisol result so high? is saliva testing not as accurate?

A member asked:

I received slightly high saliva cortisol levels from recent test. what is a good approach to deal with this?

A member asked:

7 midnight saliva cortisols done. lab range is 1-4nm. 4 out of 7 came back as 4nm. two came back as 2nm and one came back as 3nm. said i was high end of normal. possible cushings?

A member asked:

Seeing endo soon, but i would like to understand my saliva cortisol test result. 1.94 mcg/dl (rr is < or = 0.09 mcg/dl) cushings r/o in 2012.

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