Received Canary Club Results and am very confused

[Guest guest]

Hi Patty and all,

I just received my on-line Cortisol saliva results from Canary Club

and was surprised to see I am extremely elevated at all time periods

on Cortisol--I am well over the reference range at all time periods,

especially 10-midnight. As seen here:

Morning result: 33 Elevated Reference Range 13-24

11-Noon result: 19 Elevated Reference Range 5-10

4-5pm resul: 10 Elevated Reference Range 3-8

10-midnight: >110 Elevated Reference Range 1-4

(yes, >110 is not a typo)

common burden result: 172 Reference Range 23-42

Anyway, I was expecting to be very low, matching my low energy and

low blood cortisol level--I am surprised by the result and don't know

what to do--I had planned to take Cortef--but would that make the

levels even higher?

I am noted in the interpretation section to have hypercortisolemia

(sp?) and a chronic stress response.

My DHEA was a 4, with a normal range of 3-10, so that is the only one

that even fell within the reference range.

Also of note, all of the other hormones tested with saliva:

Progesterone, Estrodial, and Testosterone were all elevated and out

of reference range--which is surprising because my blood progesterone

has always come out very low, my estradiol and testosterone normal.

However, I don't think saliva is known to be a good test for these

other hormones.

Any thoughts. I am utterly confused. I do know I have been in a

constant state of stress/anxiety since the MS diagnosis, so mabye

that is what the adrenals are showing?

[Guest guest]

--- In , " trekkie323 " <trekkie323@...>

wrote:

>

Hi-

That is the exact same reason I do not use saliva tests. I myself

fell into the same problem where blood never coincided with saliva.

Many dr's including Dr Vliet, the author of Screaming to Be Heard, a

must read for everyone, also states the same. She only uses blood.

My dr last yr, thinking that b/c my saliva tests came back so high as

well, gave me things to " lower " my cortisol. Eventually I could not

get out of bed and then had to actually take Cortef to bring my

levels back up.

I know many women on here trust and believe in saliva tests, and I

may upset some. I only use blood for myself b/c I suffered dearly.

If you are already exhausted like I was, I suggest listening to your

body, rather than those tests. If a person cannot get out of bed in

the morning, your cortisol is absolutely not elevated.

> Hi Patty and all,

> I just received my on-line Cortisol saliva results from Canary Club

> and was surprised to see I am extremely elevated at all time

periods

> on Cortisol--I am well over the reference range at all time

periods,

> especially 10-midnight. As seen here:

>

> Morning result: 33 Elevated Reference Range 13-24

> 11-Noon result: 19 Elevated Reference Range 5-10

> 4-5pm resul: 10 Elevated Reference Range 3-8

> 10-midnight: >110 Elevated Reference Range 1-4

> (yes, >110 is not a typo)

>

> common burden result: 172 Reference Range 23-42

>

>

> Anyway, I was expecting to be very low, matching my low energy and

> low blood cortisol level--I am surprised by the result and don't

know

> what to do--I had planned to take Cortef--but would that make the

> levels even higher?

>

> I am noted in the interpretation section to have hypercortisolemia

> (sp?) and a chronic stress response.

>

> My DHEA was a 4, with a normal range of 3-10, so that is the only

one

> that even fell within the reference range.

>

> Also of note, all of the other hormones tested with saliva:

> Progesterone, Estrodial, and Testosterone were all elevated and out

> of reference range--which is surprising because my blood

progesterone

> has always come out very low, my estradiol and testosterone normal.

> However, I don't think saliva is known to be a good test for these

> other hormones.

>

> Any thoughts. I am utterly confused. I do know I have been in a

> constant state of stress/anxiety since the MS diagnosis, so mabye

> that is what the adrenals are showing?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Patty ~ and all ~

I looked up blood versus saliva, and

From what I am reading, the saliva tests show what is bioavailable

( useable ) , and what the blood shows how much is there but not necessiarly being used.

Here is what it says on one site:

What is the difference between saliva testing and blood testing?

Compared to blood testing, saliva testing tests for the "bio-available" hormones, rather than the "total" hormones. This can be a benefit to the user, by evaluating the "active" hormone levels, as compared to the "total" levels often tested for in a

blood test.

and another site:

Saliva hormone values reflect the tissue concentration of your hormones.

Blood and serum contains the total hormone, but your tissues are only bathed with the active or effective fraction as found in saliva.

Active fraction measurements are superior to blood and urine measurements both in diagnosis and treatment

and on the women to women site:..........

Adrenal fatigue – the effects of stress and high cortisol

http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx

The destructive effect of high cortisol levels

What is cortisol? In its normal function, cortisol helps us meet these challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and counteracting inflammation. For a short time, that’s okay. But at sustained high levels, cortisol gradually tears your body down.Sustained high cortisol levels destroy healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell regeneration, co-opt biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion, metabolism and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and weaken your immune system.Adrenal fatigue may be a factor in many related conditions, including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, premature menopause and others. It may also produce a host of other unpleasant symptoms, from acne to hair loss. (Please click here to see a list of adrenal fatigue symptoms and related conditions.)

In the early stages of adrenal dysfunction, cortisol levels are too high during the day and continue rising in the evening. This is called “hyperadrenia.†In the middle stages, cortisol may rise and fall unevenly as the body struggles to balance itself despite the disruptions of caffeine, carbs and other factors, but levels are not normal and are typically too high at night. In advanced stages, when the adrenals are exhausted from overwork, cortisol will never reach normal levels (“hypoadreniaâ€).

Conventional medicine will detect only the extremes of these conditions, when damage to the adrenals has already occurred (Cushing’s disease and ’s disease). Within those extremes, you can feel miserable and still be told your cortisol levels are normal. But by responding to early-stage symptoms of adrenal fatigue, we can reverse the developing dysfunction.

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I can understand the confusion. It's hard to know what's what.

Obviously, though, something is whacky with your adrenals.

High cortisol can result in fatigue, just as low cortisol can. Some

question the validity of saliva testing, but I guess I have to leave

that to the experts. The labs are run by doctors too, so I don't know

how to answer that...I guess it's all in who you want to believe in

order to get the help you need.

It's not outside the realm of possibility to have a high cortisol result

when you are under stress and feeling fatigued and without energy...high

cortisol is not good for health, and we all know people who are stressed

out and fatigued from daily life pressures. The output can vary between

low and high, so keep in mind that this is a " snapshot " in time.

Do you have records from all of your previous tests results, to compare

the other hormone? I noted you said that your progesterone has always

been low...

I posted an article about the high cortisol symptoms and treatments, so

you may want to look for answers there to help you interpret these

tests. In most cases of high cortisol, I have found that the only

treatment is stress reduction methods...meditation, yoga, deep

breathing, music therapy, etc. In the cases of low cortisol, when the

adrenals are not putting out what is necessary, then Cortef would be

appropriate. In the absence of verifiable tests, I guess the only other

alternative is to do a trial of hormone support and see how you feel on

it.

When I was at my sickest, I had all the symptoms of high cortisol, but

felt so utterly fatigued and without energy I could not stand myself. I

believe what happened in my case was high cortisol output from the

stress of having breast implants, followed by the exhaustion state of my

adrenals, and the long, slow climb back from that trauma experienced by

my endocrine system. It takes several years for the glands to

recover, but thank God that they can....it just takes a lot of support

and patience. I toyed with the idea of taking Cortef myself, and even

have the pills just in case, but in the end, I did not use them. I

recovered.

I don't know what to say , except to suggest that you focus not on

the need (or not) of Cortef, but the lifestyle...you cannot live in a

state of constant stress. You must find ways to release the fear and

anxiety while you seek the answers to your health. I think you can

assume that your adrenals are in need of support, based on your test

results, and then focus on adrenal supportive herbs and vitamins and

stress-busting meditation and relaxation.

Perhaps for you, if you can integrate alternative care with allopathic

care, you will cover all your bases. I don't believe drugs are the

answer in the early stages of illness, but a last resort when all else

fails.

But don't be afraid to try to give trial runs on some of these hormonal

supportive supplements to see IF they do anything for you. Sometimes it

is a winding road we travel to find out answers, and sometimes the

answers come only by accident. Keep looking, keep seeking. Eventually

something is bound to make sense.

I wish I had better help to offer!

Patty

--- In , " trekkie323 " <trekkie323@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Patty and all,

> I just received my on-line Cortisol saliva results from Canary Club

> and was surprised to see I am extremely elevated at all time periods

> on Cortisol--I am well over the reference range at all time periods,

> especially 10-midnight. As seen here:

>

> Morning result: 33 Elevated Reference Range 13-24

> 11-Noon result: 19 Elevated Reference Range 5-10

> 4-5pm resul: 10 Elevated Reference Range 3-8

> 10-midnight: >110 Elevated Reference Range 1-4

> (yes, >110 is not a typo)

>

> common burden result: 172 Reference Range 23-42

>

>

> Anyway, I was expecting to be very low, matching my low energy and

> low blood cortisol level--I am surprised by the result and don't know

> what to do--I had planned to take Cortef--but would that make the

> levels even higher?

>

> I am noted in the interpretation section to have hypercortisolemia

> (sp?) and a chronic stress response.

>

> My DHEA was a 4, with a normal range of 3-10, so that is the only one

> that even fell within the reference range.

>

> Also of note, all of the other hormones tested with saliva:

> Progesterone, Estrodial, and Testosterone were all elevated and out

> of reference range--which is surprising because my blood progesterone

> has always come out very low, my estradiol and testosterone normal.

> However, I don't think saliva is known to be a good test for these

> other hormones.

>

> Any thoughts. I am utterly confused. I do know I have been in a

> constant state of stress/anxiety since the MS diagnosis, so mabye

> that is what the adrenals are showing?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jeanne,

What were you given to lower your cortisol?

I wasn't aware that there were many supplements available to do

that..only Phosphorylated Serine (Seriphos®). Is that what you took?

I posted some info on elevated cortisol....which shares symptoms with

low cortisol! (Just like with high and low thyroid!)

Patty

> >

>

> Hi-

>

> That is the exact same reason I do not use saliva tests. I myself

> fell into the same problem where blood never coincided with saliva.

> Many dr's including Dr Vliet, the author of Screaming to Be Heard, a

> must read for everyone, also states the same. She only uses blood.

>

> My dr last yr, thinking that b/c my saliva tests came back so high as

> well, gave me things to " lower " my cortisol. Eventually I could not

> get out of bed and then had to actually take Cortef to bring my

> levels back up.

>

> I know many women on here trust and believe in saliva tests, and I

> may upset some. I only use blood for myself b/c I suffered dearly.

> If you are already exhausted like I was, I suggest listening to your

> body, rather than those tests. If a person cannot get out of bed in

> the morning, your cortisol is absolutely not elevated.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > Hi Patty and all,

> > I just received my on-line Cortisol saliva results from Canary Club

> > and was surprised to see I am extremely elevated at all time

> periods

> > on Cortisol--I am well over the reference range at all time

> periods,

> > especially 10-midnight. As seen here:

> >

> > Morning result: 33 Elevated Reference Range 13-24

> > 11-Noon result: 19 Elevated Reference Range 5-10

> > 4-5pm resul: 10 Elevated Reference Range 3-8

> > 10-midnight: >110 Elevated Reference Range 1-4

> > (yes, >110 is not a typo)

> >

> > common burden result: 172 Reference Range 23-42

> >

> >

> > Anyway, I was expecting to be very low, matching my low energy and

> > low blood cortisol level--I am surprised by the result and don't

> know

> > what to do--I had planned to take Cortef--but would that make the

> > levels even higher?

> >

> > I am noted in the interpretation section to have hypercortisolemia

> > (sp?) and a chronic stress response.

> >

> > My DHEA was a 4, with a normal range of 3-10, so that is the only

> one

> > that even fell within the reference range.

> >

> > Also of note, all of the other hormones tested with saliva:

> > Progesterone, Estrodial, and Testosterone were all elevated and out

> > of reference range--which is surprising because my blood

> progesterone

> > has always come out very low, my estradiol and testosterone normal.

> > However, I don't think saliva is known to be a good test for these

> > other hormones.

> >

> > Any thoughts. I am utterly confused. I do know I have been in a

> > constant state of stress/anxiety since the MS diagnosis, so mabye

> > that is what the adrenals are showing?

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

As always,Dede, excellent information!! Thank you!!

>

> Patty ~ and all ~

> I looked up blood versus saliva, and

> From what I am reading, the saliva tests show what is bioavailable

> ( useable ) , and what the blood shows how much is there but not

necessiarly

> being used.

> Here is what it says on one site:

> What is the difference between saliva testing and blood testing?

> Compared to blood testing, saliva testing tests for the

" bio-available "

> hormones, rather than the " total " hormones. This can be a benefit to

the user, by

> evaluating the " active " hormone levels, as compared to the " total "

levels often

> tested for in a

> blood test.

> and another site:

>

> Saliva hormone values reflect the tissue concentration of your

hormones.

> Blood and serum contains the total hormone, but your tissues are only

bathed

> with the active or effective fraction as found in saliva.

> Active fraction measurements are superior to blood and urine

measurements

> both in diagnosis and treatment

>

> and on the women to women site:..........

>

> Adrenal fatigue †" the effects of stress and high cortisol

> http://www.womentowomen.com/adrenalfatigue/effectsofhighcortisol.aspx

> The destructive effect of high cortisol levels

> What is cortisol? In its normal function, cortisol helps us meet these

> challenges by converting proteins into energy, releasing glycogen and

counteracting

> inflammation. For a short time, that’s okay. But at sustained

high levels,

> cortisol gradually tears your body down.Sustained high cortisol levels

destroy

> healthy muscle and bone, slow down healing and normal cell

regeneration, co-opt

> biochemicals needed to make other vital hormones, impair digestion,

metabolism

> and mental function, interfere with healthy endocrine function; and

weaken

> your immune system.Adrenal fatigue may be a factor in many related

conditions,

> including fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome,

arthritis,

> premature menopause and others. It may also produce a host of other

unpleasant

> symptoms, from acne to hair loss. (Please click here to see a list of

adrenal

> fatigue symptoms and related conditions.)

>

> In the early stages of adrenal dysfunction, cortisol levels are too

high

> during the day and continue rising in the evening. This is called

“hyperadrenia.â€

> In the middle stages, cortisol may rise and fall unevenly as the body

> struggles to balance itself despite the disruptions of caffeine, carbs

and other

> factors, but levels are not normal and are typically too high at

night. In

> advanced stages, when the adrenals are exhausted from overwork,

cortisol will never

> reach normal levels (“hypoadreniaâ€).

>

> Conventional medicine will detect only the extremes of these

conditions, when

> damage to the adrenals has already occurred (Cushing’s disease

and ’s

> disease). Within those extremes, you can feel miserable and still be

told

> your cortisol levels are normal. But by responding to early-stage

symptoms of

> adrenal fatigue, we can reverse the developing dysfunction.

>

>

>

>

> **************

> A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

> steps!

>

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir\

=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%2\

6hmpgID

> %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)

>

[Guest guest]

My pleasure !

Always ~

Dede**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1218822736x1201267884/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID%3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)