Re: Cortisol levels while on prednisone

[Guest guest]

Jen,

This is an adrenal question, so you should post there when they open in a week.

Val said she was going put this group on full moderation if people post blatant

adrenal questions during the adrenal group's break. So please don't reply to

this, but I can already tell you what they're going to say: You can't test your

cortisol while taking HC, Prednisone or anything else that affects your cortisol

levels. It's just not accurate. Val just posted over there as to WHY you just

can't figure out your cortisol this way while on meds. You have to go by

symptoms and TEMPS now. Sorry. :-(

Did you have labs BEFORE you went on Pred? That would help the mods once the

forum opens back up.

Right now, you'll have to take your temps every 3 hours and average them. Stable

temps over a period of at least 5 days generally means you're on enough

cortisol. But then you need to look at symptoms, if you're having any.

Again, please don't post back, though. Wait until the adrenal group opens or

we'll get in trouble over here.

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]

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

> >

>