I am in the US. I have been diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Over the past year I have also developed very low blood pressure that drops even lower when standing. For example today it is 82/48 and when I stand up it drops to 70/38. My cardiologist ordered a morning cortisol test. My total cortisol was 4.4. The lab range was 4.6-25. He dismissed the results as close to normal. I have also lost 22 pounds in the past five months due to stomach pain and I crave salt (drink lots of pickle juice). I know my cortisol is not terribly low in the one test, but is it possible I should follow up with family doctor and ask for further testing? What were your levels when diagnosed and how did the process of being diagnosed go? Thanks for any input. (I also had a surgery over a year ago and went into cardiogenic shock. My heart function fell to 16 percent and I almost died. Along with other meds, I was given massive doses of steroids for swelling in throats from the neck surgery. Could this babe been a crisis?) thanks everyone. I know you must get tired of answering questions like this.
You went through a lot Dena, perhaps hard on the adrenals as well.
I went to a naturepath. These people are often better able to help you, especially when you fall 'outside' the established numbers with the concervative medical world. He put me on Cortef. Just a small amount each day and something called Adrenal helper. Both did make a difference. Though it took a while before it started to make a difference.
Dena, I typed a huge reply and it threw me out of the page, do u have an email address? Lisa
I sent you a PM with my email address. I appreciate an information you can share. Thanks!
Bonjour Dena,
J'ai un taux normal de cortisol, mais j'ai aussi des fluctuations de la pression artérielle et une perte de sel. Mon aldostérone était presque nulle et je prends de la fludrocortisone depuis environ un an maintenant. Je vous suggère de consulter un bon endocrinologue et de subir un bilan complet. L'aldostérone contrôle la quantité de sel et régule la pression artérielle dans votre corps. Votre cardiologue ne saura pas (ou ne sera pas celui qui) commandera les bons tests. Vérifiez également la thyroïde, pour vous assurer qu'elle n'a pas été endommagée lors de la chirurgie du cou. Bonne chance !
Does anyone know if it is free cortisol or total cortisol that matters most when looking at things like Addison's disease? My total cortisol is slightly out of range, but the free cortisol is in range. I am not even sure what the difference is? Thanks? Anyone remember what your levels where when you were diagnosed? Everything that I have read says below six should be investigated.