Are these the right tests?
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi
Could someone tell me if these tests are the tests that diagnose or rule out Addison’s.
-ACTH blood ( I was not injected with anything)
-Cortisol blood ( 8 Am only not at any other time)
-IGF 1 serum
-metanephribes plasma
-calcitonin serum
I had potassium , sodium too
Potassium was in normal range
Sodium was lower end of normal.
My symptoms
very anxious
Very tired
CAN NOT FALL ASLEEP. ( is this a symptom)??
Palpitations
Loss of appetite
Blood pressure a little lower than normal but not all the time.
( my pressure is typically low 105/65
I’ve gotten a few reading lately 90/53 95/69, 99/65, 105/57 etc
ANY help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
0 likes, 4 replies
linda30728 angelinny555
Posted
I don't remember the tests I had but my symptoms were: very low sodium, high potassium. Couldn't eat anything without getting sick, gray coloring of skin, very low blood pressure, and every bone in my body hurt
SJA1955 angelinny555
Posted
Roddy999 angelinny555
Posted
These are early 'eliminating from our enquiries' tests"
-<i>ACTH blood ( I was not injected with anything)</i>
This is a check that cortisol stimulating hormone is coming from your pituitary - a simple blood test. [You may be thinking of a Synacthen test, when you get an injection of ACTH to confirm that your Adrenals pump out cortisol in response].
<i>-Cortisol blood ( 8 Am only not at any other time)</i>
Subject to normal daily cycle, this is the time of day when your natural cortisol production is at peak output.
<i>-IGF 1 serum </i>
Growth Factor??? Seems odd for a first cut test??
<i>-metanephribes plasma
-calcitonin serum </i>
No idea what these are.
Summary: It is WAY to early to jump to any conclusions!
Roddy999
Posted
I hope that my reply above didn't come across as dismissive, I certainly didn't intend that! Your symptoms do suggest that you have a hormonal disorder but it is not obvious what it is (as is usually the case!). What I was trying to say was don't rush to judgement - just because they are testing for Addison's does not mean you have it but only that you might. There are lots of things that you MIGHT have but almost all of them you don't have.
So the tests are a 'first cut', to see what crawls out of the woodwork. These tests will indicate the presence or absence of pituitary probs (ACTH, cortisol and IGF), Adrenal probs (cortisol, metanephrine), Thyroid (Calcitonin).
Meanwhile, here are some suggestions: If you are always thirsty and always running to the loo, tell your doc as that is another type of pituitary problem. Get an eye test and ask the optician to confirm that the field test is normal because loss of peripheral vision is an early warning of a pituitary problem that needs urgent checking.
Do let us know how you get on!