Blood Tests

[rnewman]

Hi Guys!!! :hi:



I know, its been so long! I apologize. I began a new job which has kept me very busy......and of course, in turn, tired, but Im learning a lot and enjoying what I do. Its been awhile since I have been able to browse the boards ~ they look nice !!!


:thumbsup:


I am writing because I just returned from my last set of labs with the doctor. I had cortisol testing done. Surprise surprise (or not such a surprise) My cortisol is low.

Cortisol is on a ryhthmic pattern in your body, spiking late late night/early morning as your body hits REM sleep and that replenishing circadian rhythem. It then remains, but tapers down, in your body throughout the day.
The type of cortisol testing I had done was a saliva test. Four specimens are taken at different parts throughtout the day, checking your rhythem. The findings seemed to be not that my body does NOT make cortisol, it does make some. My body seems to stay low~normal all day long. The very bottom of the curve. However, my body does NOT make a surge of cortisol during the early morning hours, which puts me very below normal levels at that hour. My doctor seems to think it could be the answer to many many things....poor sleep, frequent infections (low cortisol lowers ImmunglobinA {IgA** levels which is your immidiate immune response), innflammation, fatigue, hair loss, hypotension.....even, possible, bladder symptoms. THe new research on IC and cortisol in cats, and even more so, in people, is quite interesting.

SOOO, I have no idea what Im going to do just yet. After the weekend, my first agenda is to get into a good Endocrinologist. Show him the labs that I have. My primary care physician, although NOT a fan of steriods, believes I should be treated with a very very low dose of prescription cortisol. A normal dose is ten to thirty milligrams. My doctor is suggesting two point five. I am thinking about it. I am waiting to see what endocrine has to say.

Thats my story as of lately! I am also going to PT.....Im back to twice a week, but it certainly helps. My SI joints just move too much! I wanted to share my cortisol story with others just as food for thought. Hope this finds you all feeling well!!


BIG hugs, as always, I havent forgotten about you guys! :love:

Rachel

[Dixiefireball]

Glad you are back. sorry about your test tho.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda:pray: :kiss:

[Betsie]

:kiss: Hey Rachel,

Nice to hear from you- I too have not been here much myself. Just getting the hang of the new boards and posting when possible.

Have been out of state for months with a caregiving issue...but able to get some of life back now as things are somewhat stable.

Of course, now I am a new member all over again...:bonk:

Anyway, thanks for the cortisol info. While it doesn't describe me so much, it does speak to many of my husband's problems, who is BTW just getting over 5 weeks of being sick. But he had his thyroid removed years ago and has a myriad of sleep problems, hence the common adverse things associated with lack of sleep, etc. Sleep study #5 is in the works....but I am curious about this cortisol info, so will look into it also for him.

Thanks again...and congrats on the new job!!!:thumbsup:

Betsie Wetsie

[Cate]

Hi Rachel,

I have had the same results from cortisol testing and I am convinced that these results hold the key to why I have IC. I have cut and pasted the following info from Dr. Tony Buffington:



In their study, Buffington and his colleagues compared the adrenal glands of 13 cats that had interstitial cystitis with eight cats that did not have the disorder. The adrenal glands of the cats with interstitial cystitis were about half the size of the adrenals in the normal cats, according to the report in the December issue of the Journal of Urology. The adrenal glands sit next to the kidneys and produce hormones that, among other things, help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.
The researchers found that when cats were injected with the stress-inducing compound adrenocorticotropic hormone, those with interstitial cystitis produced lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which is produced in the adrenals.
Under normal conditions, the functioning of the adrenal glands in cats with interstitial cystitis appears normal, Buffington says. "It is only under stress that it is abnormal," he adds. Buffington believes this finding indicates that while there may not be adrenal insufficiency under normal circumstances, there may well be an insufficiency in adrenal reserve during periods of stress.
Interstitial cystitis worsens with stress, Buffington notes. The combination of increased stress and decreased adrenal response may be the reason why, he adds. These findings may offer a new direction to studying interstitial cystitis in humans that can eventually lead to new treatments, Buffington says.
"Preliminary findings in humans suggest that the same abnormalities in adrenal function may be present in women when the disease is flaring up, but not when the disease is in a quiet state," he notes.


Is this the study you are referring to? I think I also read somewhere that doctors have tried cortisol injections but did not get good results. My psychiatrist just sent me an article that suggests a link between IC, Panic Disorder (which I had long before IC), thyroid problems, and Mitro Valve Prolapse. The article mentions that all these diseases may be part of a genetic syndrome and are caused by defects in the central nervous system.

I would like to ask you a couple more questions about the cortisol test if you wouldn't mind. If you find time could you email me at
kitty13656@aol.com

Thanks, Cate

[ICchell]

Good luck on finding a good Endo.:pray: Hope it helps you!!
BTW,I notice that your a fan of James Taylor too?
I LOve James Taylor!:thumbsup:
Michelle

[Katrina]

Very Interesting...so many of the gang have been away. Thanks for the info...sorry about your results...maybe it can teach us something though.

[Zookeeper]

Hello Rachel,
Glad the move was great & I do hope you find a kind endocrinologist.Best of luck with that.

I also have not been around much this year. So many doctors to see and now it is calming down to only almost 2 X a week Thankfully.
:pray:
Hang in there & Take care.Love, Zookeeper Kim

[vm]

Great to see you again, Rachel. Keep us updated on all of this. :)

[tillysav]

:hi: Rachell,

Congratulations on your new job and so glad your back! I have missed your posts. Thanks for sharing your information with us. It's all very interesting. We need all the knowledge we can get. :thumbsup:

I would like to take the saliva test for both cortisol (and hormones?) but not sure where or who to ask.

Glad you are enjoying your new job.:dance:

[rjyoon]

I tried to get my doctor to perform the cortisol test & was met with skepticism & refusal to run the test. I'm interested in what can be done with treating the low cortisol problem.