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When you had a Synacthen test, did you get your results that day?

Posted , 4 users are following.

jEpeel
jEpeel

Hey, I have a Synacthen test booked for tomorrow and was wondering how likely it is that I'll get my results that day? I feel like as it's a fairly dangerous thing to go untreated when they know about it and apparently the bloods get sent to the lab as quickly as possible to avoid deterioration, it might be the same day, but I can't find any information on what happens after they take the second lot of blood. Do they send you home or do you wait for results in case they do show abnormal results?

Thanks in advance.

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • miriam96203
    miriam96203 jEpeel

    Posted

    All I can say is what happened to me. I did go home without results but heard from my specialist via my GP, about a week later, that the synacthen test showed that my cortisol levels were insufficient and would start hydrocortisone treatment immediately.

    But this is UK. I wonder if you're American? 

    Best of luck, Miriam

    • jEpeel
      jEpeel miriam96203

      Posted

      Hi, I'm in the UK. Did you find that the test made you feel sick, by any chance? And you're right, they said results would be "in 7-10 days", but I'm assuming that means working days. The two other people who've responded in this thread are obviously having it as a check for an already established diagnosis, but I'm not diagnosed.

      Now I have to hope that my specialist pulls their finger out and doesn't sit on stuff for four weeks like they did for a referral once, because it seems they're the one I'll be hearing from.

      Thanks.

  • lisa20030
    lisa20030 jEpeel

    Posted

    Hi in my experience - I don't get the results straight away, a usual wait of 4 days even if the results are not favourable because as soon as the test is completed i take my hydrocortisone.

    I have this test twice a year to see if my ACTH has kicked back in again.

    It is a safe test as far as i am aware?

    • jEpeel
      jEpeel lisa20030

      Posted

      Hi,

      I'm not diagnosed so don't have any hydrocortisone, that's what I meant by the "fairly dangerous to go untreated" bit. They just went straight for the Synacthen rather than do the more simple test, I guess because it's more conclusive.

  • carolyn80777
    carolyn80777 jEpeel

    Posted

    Hi, I have had 2 syncachthen tests and was infirmed of the results by letter about 2 months later. my results were no detectable Cortisol. So I just continued with hydocortisone as usual. I presume if there had been a response and needed to change my dose I would have been told sooner.
    • jEpeel
      jEpeel carolyn80777

      Posted

      Hi, I guess I probably should have been clearer in my OP, I didn't realise they were used for reasons other than diagnosis. I don't have any hydrocortisone, that's why I was hoping I would know quickly so that treatment could be started if necessary.

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