Question 1

how long shold i wait after being on prednisone 40 mg a day for 5 days before i have the saliva test for cortisol levels to ensre accuracy?

Accepted Answer

Not recommend test: This test is not worth paying for. You need re-evaluation.

Question 2

high cortisol levels on 2 blood tests? why?

Accepted Answer

Adrenal or Pituitary: Excessive production of cortisol may result from a tumor in pituitary producing a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland.  Lesions in the adrenal gland, hyperplasia, adenoma, carcinoma, may also cause increase in cortisol levels.  
You need to consult your doctor and/or an endocrinologist.

Question 3

what do they do if you have a high cortisol level?  what other tests are done?

Accepted Answer

Suppression or urine: The 2 screening tests that can be performed are an overnight Dexamethasone suppression test (odst) or a 24 hour urine collection for cortisol. For the odst, you take Dexamethasone (a steroid) the night before you get blood drawn for a morning cortisol. The normal response to taking dex is a decrease in cortisol production. If one of these tests is abnormal, a 2 day dex test is done to confirm.

Question 4

i have a cortisol level of 3.1 and 3 test of my gfr 56 each time what does that mean thank you?

Accepted Answer

: Your statement is not clear enough. If the cortisol level was measured in the morning and for 3 times (?) it was 3.1, you may have hypoadrenal insufficiency but further test needs to be done to confirm this condition. GFR less than 60 cc/min for 3 times indicates you have mild chronic kidney disease, stage 3A. I wonder cortisol was measured because you have low sodium (Na) or high potassium (K).

Question 5

i had cortisol blood test at 8:20 in the morning my level is 19.9 what it means is it considered high.
thank you?

Accepted Answer

Don't know: why you would have had a morning cortisol done, but your value is normal. If you're concerned about cortisol excess, the afternoon (4pm) value or a suppression test may help. Talk w/your doctor.

Question 6

if some one fast for 21 days will the insulin and cpeptide levels be low if they have prediabetes also will there cortisol levels be high?

Accepted Answer

Yes but why fast...: Insulin and c-peptide will be low if you fast.  21 days is not recommended for anyone.  Diabetes and prediabetes will not affect these levels in any reliable way.  I also do not expect cortisol levels to be particularly helpful. If you are concerned about dm or prediabetes, the answer is a fasting glucose test and a hemoglobin a1c.

Question 7

can acth test rule out cushing's?  acth stim. cortisol levels:  t0:  9.1  t30: 16.6 and t60min:  18.6.  should i have 24 hr cortisol levels checked?

Accepted Answer

Wrong test: Hi. The ACTH-stim test is not a test for Cushing's. It's a test for adrenal insufficiency, more exactly, PRIMARY adrenal insufficiency. So no, an ACTH-stim test cannot rule out Cushing's. Someone needs to suspect you of Cushing's to order the 24h urine cortisol. We don't have any info to make us suspect Cushing's in you, so we can't say if you SHOULD have a 24h urine cortisol. Your ACTH-stim is nl

Question 8

i really appreciate your answer! im undergoing so many tests and im sure 600mg xl of quetiapine is lowering my cortisol levels and messing up testing. do you know any more on this?

Accepted Answer

: Odd post. This is not a chat room and none of your prior posts are linked, so if this is a follow-up question, the doc who addressed any other question does not automatically get this one. You are welcome to start over and provide complete background info for a new doc to answer.

Question 9

what is a 8am cortisol level test for?  why 8am?  is that hour your highest level?

Accepted Answer

Cortisol: An 8 am cortisol level measures the function of the adrenal gland.  It is done at 8 am because the levels are usually higher.

Question 10

my cortisol level is 26.5. what is normal? i got the test done around 4pm and it was a blood test.

Accepted Answer

Abnormal See your Dr: In normal subjects serum cortisol concentrations are higher in the early morning (about 6 am), ranging from 10 to 20 mcg/dl (275 to 555 nmol/l). Serum cortisol concentrations range from 3 to 10 mcg/dl (85 to 275 nmol/l) at 4 pm, and the concentrations are lowest, less than 5 mcg/dl (140 nmol/l), one hour after the usual time of sleep.

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Doctor answers about:

How to fast before test for cortisol levels

A member asked:

How long shold i wait after being on prednisone 40 mg a day for 5 days before i have the saliva test for cortisol levels to ensre accuracy?

A member asked:

High cortisol levels on 2 blood tests? why?

A member asked:

What do they do if you have a high cortisol level? what other tests are done?

A member asked:

I have a cortisol level of 3.1 and 3 test of my gfr 56 each time what does that mean thank you?

A member asked:

I had cortisol blood test at 8:20 in the morning my level is 19.9 what it means is it considered high. thank you?

A member asked:

If some one fast for 21 days will the insulin and cpeptide levels be low if they have prediabetes also will there cortisol levels be high?

A member asked:

Can acth test rule out cushing's? acth stim. cortisol levels: t0: 9.1 t30: 16.6 and t60min: 18.6. should i have 24 hr cortisol levels checked?

A member asked:

I really appreciate your answer! im undergoing so many tests and im sure 600mg xl of quetiapine is lowering my cortisol levels and messing up testing. do you know any more on this?

A member asked:

What is a 8am cortisol level test for? why 8am? is that hour your highest level?

A member asked:

My cortisol level is 26.5. what is normal? i got the test done around 4pm and it was a blood test.

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