Low morning cortisol
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I am in the US. I have been diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Over the past year I have also developed very low blood pressure that drops even lower when standing. For example today it is 82/48 and when I stand up it drops to 70/38. My cardiologist ordered a morning cortisol test. My total cortisol was 4.4. The lab range was 4.6-25. He dismissed the results as close to normal. I have also lost 22 pounds in the past five months due to stomach pain and I crave salt (drink lots of pickle juice). I know my cortisol is not terribly low in the one test, but is it possible I should follow up with family doctor and ask for further testing? What were your levels when diagnosed and how did the process of being diagnosed go? Thanks for any input. (I also had a surgery over a year ago and went into cardiogenic shock. My heart function fell to 16 percent and I almost died. Along with other meds, I was given massive doses of steroids for swelling in throats from the neck surgery. Could this babe been a crisis?) thanks everyone. I know you must get tired of answering questions like this.
0 likes, 5 replies
hanny32508 dena_79123
Posted
You went through a lot Dena, perhaps hard on the adrenals as well.
?I went to a naturepath. These people are often better able to help you, especially when you fall 'outside' the established numbers with the concervative medical world. He put me on Cortef. Just a small amount each day and something called Adrenal helper. Both did make a difference. Though it took a while before it started to make a difference.
lisa20030 dena_79123
Posted
dena_79123 lisa20030
Posted
jlhinton003 dena_79123
Posted
Hi Dena,
I have normal cortisol level, but I too have blood pressure fluctuations and am salt wasting. My aldosterone was near zero and I've been on fludrocortisone for about a year now. I suggest you get a good endocrinologist and have a full work up. Aldosterone controls the amount of salt and regulates the blood pressure in your body. Your cardiologist won't know (or won't be the one) to order the right tests. Check the thyroid too, to make sure it wasn't damaged in the neck surgery. Good Luck!
dena_79123
Posted
Does anyone know if it is free cortisol or total cortisol that matters most when looking at things like Addison's disease? My total cortisol is slightly out of range, but the free cortisol is in range. I am not even sure what the difference is? Thanks? Anyone remember what your levels where when you were diagnosed? Everything that I have read says below six should be investigated.