Lab results back, dr wanted lab 1 hr after HC dose

[Guest guest]

I got my lab results back! Quick refresher, my doctor has insisted

on labs to measure cortisol levels since I went on HC. In December

I deliberately went to take labs BEFORE taking my HC dose, which I

was slightly over due for. I thought if my cortisol level came back

low, there would be no issue with her keeping me on HC. They did

come back low, and she freaked out (very worried my adrenals are

shutting down...first person she is treating adrenal fatigue with

HC). The level was a little lower than the labs she took in

October. I told her about the timing of the lab, wondered what

would happen if I had labs drawn AFTER an HC dose. I agreed to the

labs, and also to do the same 2 labs in one month (same timing as

first two labs).

These were the results of lab work taken 1 hour AFTER my second dose

of HC for the day. I thought they would come back much higher as it

would be measuring the HC in my system (my doctor said she would

surmise lower as the adrenals would be surpressed by the HC and not

be putting out any). I was correct, results were higher. This to me

says that the bloodwork, while on HC, is reflective of what is

floating around in the body due to the medication more than

anything. I thought this fascinating, so wanted to pass it on, for

whatever meaning it has.

Cortisol 32.9

Ranges 8 am (7-9) 4.0 - 22.0

4 pm (3-5) 3.0 - 17.0

DHEAS 86 (range 40 - 325)

My December 20th results (which were taking when it was time for my

2nd HC dose of the day...but before I took the dose)

Cortisol 0.26 (range 0.40 – 1.92 mcg/dl) note: that is the 8-

10 am range. My blood draw was 10:45 am

DHEA Sulfate <15 (range 35-430 mcg/dl)

One final note. I am sure my adrenals are not shut down. Here's

why.

I thought I would need to stress dose yesterday morning (this was

around 8:00 am or a little before). Felt very doom and gloom, off,

spacier than normal, a little jittery. I had taken my first dose of

HC at 6:00 am.

I am very conservative with stress dosing, so waited to be sure I

thought I needed to. Got busy with stuff at my desk (work). All of a

sudden, I had this great feeling of calm. I had that " smooth "

feeling I get AFTER I stress dose. The doom and gloom had lifted, I

no longer felt jittery, the " off " feeling was gone. I am telling

you...it was like I did stress dose.

That says to me that my body put out some needed cortisol (that I

should have stress dosed on when I first noticed instead of working

my poor body). This has happened on occasion, but this time it was

very pronounced.

Dawn