Thanks to Kathleen and Lethal Lee

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kathleen and Lethal Lee for your responses to my cortisolquestion. I'm just learning about what topics are meant to be postedwhere -- I didn't mean to post something in the wrong place. Sorry'bout that. I did sign up for the Adrenal group and chat forum andas soon as my membership is verified, I'll chat and post there, too.With appreciation,Jen Re: Cortisol levels while on prednisone

Hi Jen,

I completely agree with Kathleen that you CANNOT meaningfully test Cortisol while on any Cortisol HRT (whether it's HC, Pred, creams etc) or indeed on ANYTHING that affects Cortisol (of which there are many).

In addition I want to comment on the Prednisone.

First WHY are you on 10mg Prednisone daily? Is it for Adrenal Fatigue or some other condition?

Second did you test Saliva Cortisol while still taking Prednisone? Did you take Prednisone the day of the test & if so exactly when & how close to the am sample. If you didn't take Pred on test day when was the last time you took Pred? If less than 2 weeks before then as already said the test is NOT valid.

Third synthetic Cortisol derivatives such as Prednisone, Prednisolone, Medrol, Dexamethasone are NOT identical to Cortisol (which Hydrocortisone is). Therefore they do NOT even register on Blood/Saliva testing.

Fourth Prednisone is actually the worst of the synthetic Cortisols as it is not active. The body (Liver) must convert it to Prednisolone before it can be used. It is therefore HARDER on the body than the others especially if Liver function is not perfect.

So IF you must be on a synthetic, and there are valid reasons for being so (such as you NEED the longer term action, they have much less mineralcorticoid effect or the greater antiinflammatory effect) it is much better to go on either Medrol or Prednisolone if you can get it.

morning <1 (13-24) *undetectable

late morning 97 (5-10) *extremely elevated

late afternoon 4 (3-8) *TOO LOW should be midrange

late night <1 (1-4) *undetectable

The results are interesting I must say. I am on Prednisolone myself & when early morning Serum Cortisol was measured my levels were extremely low (last dose of 2.5mg Pred some 10-12 hours before test).

This is similar to your am result above.

The late morning (assume close to Midday?) being so elevated is surprising. Especially the fact that you are capable of producing so much. How long AFTER the am dose was this done? Did you take anything stimulating (caffeine, adaptogens, herbs, vitamins), were you possibly hypoglycemic/low blood sugar (how long since last eaten?) or have any stressor close to that sample (emotional or physical?)? It certainly shows that something severely stressed you at this time.

The Midday is suboptimal should be around 5.5. And evening I assume around Midnight?) is again undetectable.

"Any ideas of how to normalize my Cortisol when on Prednisone?"

I can say I have NEVER taken my Prednisolone in only ONE daily dose.

Initially I took 5 mg in morning, 2.5mg some 6-8 hours later & last 2.5mg another 6-8 hours later (before bed). Even Pred never lasted very long for me so this schedule suited me best. Note I also NEVER use Pred for stress dosing it takes too long to kick in. You need Hc for that.

HOW DO YOU FEEL on the single daily dose usually?

HOW DID YOU FEEL the day of the test at the times of the 4 samples?

DO YOU SLEEP well? Able to get to sleep & say asleep & wake feeling rested?

So perhaps try breaking up your dose yourself, that is, IF you need to stay on it at all.

Start testing your temps both Basal (first thing on waking BEFORE getting out of bed) & averages (av of 3 temps daily being 3,6,9 after waking). Also start testing BP & HR at rest (either sitting or lying) then immediately after standing.

Giving a background (age, menstrual status, medical conditions, symptoms, family history) plus lab results (CMP, Iron/Ferritin, Thyroid, B12 & Folate, Magnesium, Vit D, Sex Hormones & Androgens, etc) & details of current meds & supps will all help folks to comment & offer opinions/advice.

You could spend the time while Adrenals group is on break to get the above details together so you are ready to post when they reopen. Or you could post on the Adrenals Chat group for folks to comment on as well (note will not necessarily be Mods).

If you want to do that or ask me questions copy your original post & this reply & include in your post then post not HERE but again in the Chat group.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NTHA-Chat/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/NaturalThyroidHormonesADRENALS/

Lethal Lee

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > My Cortisol levels are not good; but I also take 10 mgs of Prednisone every morning and can't help but think that's the Cortisol culprit.

> >

> > My levels are way depressed in the morning (less than 1 on a scale of 13-24)

> >

> > Elevated late morning (97 on a scale of 5-10...likely an indication of my Prednisone?)

> >

> > Normal late afternoon (4 on a scale of 3-8)

> >

> > Depressed late night (less than 1 on a scale of 1-4)

> >

> > Any ideas of how to normalize my Cortisol when on Prednisone?

> >

> > Thanks!

> > Jen

> >

>

[Guest guest]

it's not your fault as thyroid and adrenal issues overlap but this is mostly to

ask questions about thyroid treatment/issues and then if it turns out it is

really more of an adrenal question, we take it there. I just posted about

feeling hyper and Diane thinks it is cortisol, not t3, so you can see how things

sort of can get mixed together a bit, but if it's JUST asking about things

related to adrenals, then you should post there. I'm sure you'll be approved and

the chat is GREAT!!!

Kathleen

> > >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > >

> > > My Cortisol levels are not good; but I also take 10 mgs of Prednisone

every morning and can't help but think that's the Cortisol culprit.

> > >

> > > My levels are way depressed in the morning (less than 1 on a scale of

13-24)

> > >

> > > Elevated late morning (97 on a scale of 5-10...likely an indication of my

Prednisone?)

> > >

> > > Normal late afternoon (4 on a scale of 3-8)

> > >

> > > Depressed late night (less than 1 on a scale of 1-4)

> > >

> > > Any ideas of how to normalize my Cortisol when on Prednisone?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Jen

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

it's not your fault as thyroid and adrenal issues overlap but this is mostly to

ask questions about thyroid treatment/issues and then if it turns out it is

really more of an adrenal question, we take it there. I just posted about

feeling hyper and Diane thinks it is cortisol, not t3, so you can see how things

sort of can get mixed together a bit, but if it's JUST asking about things

related to adrenals, then you should post there. I'm sure you'll be approved and

the chat is GREAT!!!

Kathleen

> > >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > >

> > > My Cortisol levels are not good; but I also take 10 mgs of Prednisone

every morning and can't help but think that's the Cortisol culprit.

> > >

> > > My levels are way depressed in the morning (less than 1 on a scale of

13-24)

> > >

> > > Elevated late morning (97 on a scale of 5-10...likely an indication of my

Prednisone?)

> > >

> > > Normal late afternoon (4 on a scale of 3-8)

> > >

> > > Depressed late night (less than 1 on a scale of 1-4)

> > >

> > > Any ideas of how to normalize my Cortisol when on Prednisone?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Jen

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

it's not your fault as thyroid and adrenal issues overlap but this is mostly to

ask questions about thyroid treatment/issues and then if it turns out it is

really more of an adrenal question, we take it there. I just posted about

feeling hyper and Diane thinks it is cortisol, not t3, so you can see how things

sort of can get mixed together a bit, but if it's JUST asking about things

related to adrenals, then you should post there. I'm sure you'll be approved and

the chat is GREAT!!!

Kathleen

> > >

> > > Hi Everyone,

> > >

> > > My Cortisol levels are not good; but I also take 10 mgs of Prednisone

every morning and can't help but think that's the Cortisol culprit.

> > >

> > > My levels are way depressed in the morning (less than 1 on a scale of

13-24)

> > >

> > > Elevated late morning (97 on a scale of 5-10...likely an indication of my

Prednisone?)

> > >

> > > Normal late afternoon (4 on a scale of 3-8)

> > >

> > > Depressed late night (less than 1 on a scale of 1-4)

> > >

> > > Any ideas of how to normalize my Cortisol when on Prednisone?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > > Jen

> > >

> >

>