Q: is <0.8mcg/dl cortisol really low after taking dexamethasine the night before? what does that mean if it's low, is it extremely low or just low

Can it b lower?: The &lt; sign implies that is lower than the lab can measure. That would be suppressed! and imply depression.

Question 1

what does it mean when your cortisol level is very abnormally low?

Accepted Answer

Collection time ?: Well it depends on the time of when your cortisol level was checked. Maximal level of cortisol is usually between 5:00a-8:00am with the lowest (nadir) levels being after 5pm (almost zero level by bedtime). If your having symptoms such as malaise, increased napping, headaches, stomach ache or low bs, you may have adrenal insufficiency and will need referral to an endocrinologist for further testing.

Question 2

what does it mean when your cortisol level in your blood is low?

Accepted Answer

Addison's disease: A very low cortisol could be addison’s disease, but this is relatively rare, and “low cortisol” is way over-diagnosed;  the term “adrenal fatigue” is sometimes used, which is a fake diagnosis.  If someone says you have this, see an endocrinologist for confirmation.

Question 3

just wondering what it means to have low cortisol levels.

Accepted Answer

Cortisol tests: In normal people cortisol goes up and down throughout the day, although it is higher in am than in pm. Therefore, it is hard to define what is "low".  An afternoon cortisol of 5 may be perfectly normal. Adrenal failure is called addison's disease and is dangerous, but a random cortisol usually cannot be used to diagnose addision's. An acth stim test may be needed if this diagnosis is considered.

Question 4

what does it mean if your acth level is low but normal cortisol? acth is 4.9, cortisol total is 8.9 and cortisol free is .33

Accepted Answer

ACTH/cortisol: These sound like normal values, but the most important question is "why were these tests done"?  ACTH and cortisol bounce around all day long, generally higher in the AM.  Because they bounce around, isolated values don't mean much. If your doc thinks cortisol is low (Addison's) or high (Cushing's), then there are provocative tests that are better.

Question 5

what does it mean when your cortisol is too low?

Accepted Answer

Low Cortisol: Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands.  It is called the stress hormone, and is produced in response to either a physical stress or a mental stress, or both. 

Cortisol has a diurnal pattern, which means it starts highest in the morning and drops gently, and then is very low at night.

Low cortisol is using referring to the flattening of the usual curve so that it is lower than it should be.

Question 6

morning cortisol levels are low and have symptoms. however, last test it was at the lowest end of the scale exactly - so dr said it was normal.. would you interpret am cortisol level of 138 (range used 138 -635) as normal?

Accepted Answer

: You don't mention what symptoms you experience. I think your morning cortisol level is low raising the concern of adrenal insufficiency. I recommend consulting an endocrinologist to properly work you up, make an accurate diagnosis and, if indicated,render appropriate treatment.

Question 7

low on cortisol means what?

Accepted Answer

Complex: Hi. "Low cortisol" could be normal or sign of disease.  I must assume your doctor checked  cortisol because of some symptoms you've been having &amp; maybe some findings on physical exam. Cortisol fluctuates throughout the day, so WHEN it's drawn does matter. Is your ACTH high? If your doc thinks you're underproducing cortisol, provocative testing may be needed if primary problem pituitary not adrenal

Question 8

what can high cortisol levels mean?

Accepted Answer

How high?: It depends on how high it is above normal?  If mildly elevated and if you don't have symptoms of cushing's syndrome: fat at mid section, stretch marks in the abdomen, moon-face, buffalo humps...Then this might be just the way you are.  If it's very high and you have symptoms of the above, see your doctor to make sure you don't have a pituitary or adrenal tumor overproducing cortisol.

Question 9

how low are cortisol levels at the very end of the day (bedtime)? i had mine checked and it was at 1.0 after being awake for 16 hours.

Accepted Answer

It is probably: normal. If it was deficient, you would have no need for high blood pressure medication. Discuss w/your doctor.

Question 10

is <0.8mcg/dl cortisol really low after taking dexamethasine the night before? what does that mean if it's low, is it extremely low or just low

Accepted Answer

Can it b lower?: The &lt; sign implies that is lower than the lab can measure. That would be suppressed! and imply depression.

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Doctor answers about:

What does it mean when your cortisol levels are low

A member asked:

What does it mean when your cortisol level is very abnormally low?

A member asked:

What does it mean when your cortisol level in your blood is low?

A member asked:

Just wondering what it means to have low cortisol levels.

A member asked:

What does it mean if your acth level is low but normal cortisol? acth is 4.9, cortisol total is 8.9 and cortisol free is .33

A member asked:

What does it mean when your cortisol is too low?

A member asked:

Morning cortisol levels are low and have symptoms. however, last test it was at the lowest end of the scale exactly - so dr said it was normal.. would you interpret am cortisol level of 138 (range used 138 -635) as normal?

A member asked:

Low on cortisol means what?

A member asked:

What can high cortisol levels mean?

A member asked:

How low are cortisol levels at the very end of the day (bedtime)? i had mine checked and it was at 1.0 after being awake for 16 hours.

A member asked:

Is <0.8mcg/dl cortisol really low after taking dexamethasine the night before? what does that mean if it's low, is it extremely low or just low

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