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Adrenaline gland function

Posted , 12 users are following.

andrea93419
andrea93419

hi all, has anyone on here tapered prednisolone to find their adrenaline glands no longer function??

many thanks Andrea xx

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  • Charko
    Charko andrea93419

    Posted

    Thank you.  I had not heard of a test to check the Adrenals.  I live in Southern California and will ask my Rheumy for a test.  
  • EileenH
    EileenH andrea93419

    Posted

    The short synacthen test is to see if your adrenal glands are CAPABLE of producing cortisol. If the test was interpreted properly they can tell you whether they will slowly recover production of cortisol to top up as you reduce the pred dose which at present is replacing it.

    If the test indicated they aren't going to be able to produce any - you will probably remain on a low dose of pred long term or they may switch you to hydrocortisone instead which is felt by endocrinologists to be more likely to allow the glands to wake up.

    Nefret on this forum was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency some years ago and is on a dose of 5mg pred for the rest of her life. She may pop up and tell  you about it but she's just had a knee replacement so I doubt it somehow.

    Were you lucky enough to have a rheumy who is aware of the advantages of doing the synacthen test or did you have symptoms of Addison's when you tried to reduce below 7mg?

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