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Cortisol

Posted , 3 users are following.

john332
john332

Is a 9am cortisol result of 139 nmol/l normal?

thanks

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • cool_catalan
    cool_catalan john332

    Posted

    Hi John,

    The way to check properly the cortisol levels is done by saliva. 4 times a day. Some laboratories do it. Doctors in Australia where I live do not do the saliva 4 times a day test. Only holistic doctors do. I have done the saliva test paying privately from a pathology lab. They give a report and a graph..., then you know where you are.

  • Roddy999
    Roddy999 john332

    Posted

    John, according to a table published by the Pituitary Foundation, the reference range for 9am cortisol is

    180 - 620nmol/L. So yes, it is below normal, enough to need further investigation. It isn't seriously low, not life threatening but it probably means that you feel tired a lot and don't shake off simple illnesses.

    Please don't fall for quack nonsense like "adrenal exhaustion" but there is certainly a case to answer on adrenal insufficiency. Either your adrenals can't make enough (primary Addison's Disease) or your pituitary isn't asking enough (secondary AD). An "ACTH test" will check whether your adrenal glands are responding adequately to messenger hormone from your pituitary.

    • cool_catalan
      cool_catalan Roddy999

      Posted

      I really believe in the circadian rhythm which is cortisol levels 4 times/day. You can be low or high at 9 am, but what counts is the production of cortisol 4 times/day. The pathology laboratories will tell you the times during the day you have to fill the tubes and how to do it.

      After they check it they give you a report of your diurnal production compared to what you should be all things being equal. The further one is from the ideal diurnal production the more one needs the report, and further visit to the specialist.

      One can be low or high in the morning, that does not mean that the rest of the day (3 more readings) are OK...

      As for the ACTH test is also good provided the 'doctor's' interpretation is accurate. My husband and i had a very bad experience on that with a "PROFESSOR', and that is why I recommend private pathology labs. You have to pay money, but they do not fool you. You get the two graphs: yours and the graph of what it should be when the patient adrenals work properly.

      You can in UK find info in Internet of various pathology labs, prices and how they operate.

      Where we live in Australia there is only a private Lab. we can work with and we are happy with them.

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