Guest guest Posted May 5, 1999 Report Share Posted May 5, 1999 What are the ways besides taking hydrocortisone to build up ones cortisol levels??? I've always been intrigued with Dr. Cheney's approach to cortisol testing. As I understand it, it's a stress response mechanism, so it makes sense to see how the levels respond to stress. Here is an excerpt of someone's summary of a presentation made by Dr. Cheney in last fall. The full text and a video tape offer can be found at www.freeyellow.com/members7/tomtrissel/index.html. Dr. Cheney has done studies on the dynamic response of cortisol in CFIDS, as opposed to the static level, which is not that different from normal. The dynamic response, as measured using a stationary bike is a lot different from normal. Normal individuals, put on an exercise protocol, will usually double their cortisol 20 minutes post-exercise. CFIDS patients produce less cortisol, with the more disabled patients producing the least cortisol. Dr. Cheney included CFIDS patients with varying levels of disability in the cortisol test. He observed a linear relationship between cortisol response to a bicycle test, and level of functionality in CFIDS patients. Dr. Cheney hypothesized from the cortisol findings, that it isn’t the fatigue or the symptoms that disable the patients, although it impairs their quality of life. " What really disables them is that when they push themselves, physically, cognitively, or emotionally, they do not have the appropriate dynamic response at the hypothalamic level to have a significant enough cortisol and other hormone response to the dynamic exigencies of life. " The result is a kind of push/crash phenomena. He explained that if cortisol goes down in response to a defined stressor, you crash. Dr. Cheney believes that this is perhaps the major reason why CFIDS patients cannot work. _________________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2008 Report Share Posted April 5, 2008 I am a mod with at the new site and was working with him at STTM site. Your saliva test is only good for Cortisol for get the sex hormones on the test they are not any good. Never seen one good one yet. What did you order off STTM site and if you want you can post your Cortisol levels I can help with this. Here is a FAQ's we did about low cortisol read this it will answer most of your questions. Then if you need more just ask. has not been feeling well latey and is on and off the forum. Most of what he helps with is pituitary problems. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/adrenal-info/faq/ john_dragoo <john_dragoo@...> wrote: I take androgel and arimidex (1/4 pill every 3 days)...my last testosterone level was 1020; also did a morning saliva test recently and my estradiol was 1.4 and my cortisol was only 0.5L on a range of 3.7 to 9.5. I still have a lot of fatigue and I wonder what my low cortisol means?..I ordered something from the " Stop the Thyroid Madness " website for low cortisol but wonder if it's safe. I'm trying to set up a virtual meeting with Dr. Cris but now luck yet...any thoughts? Co-Moderator " Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. " Phil --------------------------------- You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Tia, If you are really concerned about the results, perhaps you could call the endo's office. Let them know that you would like to speak to the endo briefly to put your mind at rest because you are quite worried about the results and don't want to wait until you come in for an appt. Also, don't be concerned about giving access to your email address. We all have to do it, and it isn't a problem at all. P > My endocrinologist has booked me in for next tuesday to stay at his clinic as a in-patient for an insulin test and I'm not looking forward to it. He thinks that it is my pituitary gland that is failing me. I am worried that it might be a pituitary tumeur.......... I am so worried > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Ok - that's fine Tia - thanks for that. Luv - Sheila > > Look forward to 'meeting' you again when your membership has been made official.> > Luv - SheilaHi Sheila,Just done it!x No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.4/1395 - Release Date: 24/04/2008 07:24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 Hi Tia - There is an organisation for people with pituitary problems - PITPAT, they have a website. Pituitary reasons for hypothyroidism are supposed to be rare though I think that many of us diagnosed are actually pituitary rather than 'just' hypothyroidism! The main problem with being diagnosed with a pituitary problem seems to be that as its considered rare, and most doctors never see a case, they just dont think of it! I wonder how many of us on this group are really undiagnosed pituitary people and because we go for so long without being diagnosed, that's why we get all the other symptoms that most people with hypothyroidism dont get (the pains hair loss etc). The TSH doesnt raise with pituitary disease therefore if thats the only test they do they wont find it! I understand that the pituitary is like a master gland that controls all the hormonal glands so the effects are not just thyroid but can be ovaries etc, I dont really know about cortisol but I think its a hormone and therefore could be affected by the pituitary. I do know that a lot of pituitary problems are caused by pituitary tumours - BUT this does not necessarily mean surgery or that its cancer - in the VAST majority of cases they are benign (in fact I think pituitary cancer is extremely rare). Some people can be controlled by diet and supplements apparently - I have an acquaintance with a pituitary tumour who controls with diet and supplements and primarily she needs to ensure that she sleeps well to cope - she does take melatonin and temazepam but never more than 3 days in a row and she copes very well under supervision from a competent doctor! It sounds like your doctor knows his/her stuff by even considering pituitary disease! Have a look at the PitPat website and relax - whatever the cause you are on the right road to be getting better! Gill x Well, I got "some" of my blood tests back which were done via a private endocrinologue. I'm still waiting for my auto antibodies test to come back from the lab.I was told the Calcium test was fine and so was the ACTH.However the Cortisol test was low but I was not told how low.My endocrinologist has booked me in for next tuesday to stay at his clinic as a in-patient for an insulin test and I'm not looking forward to it.He thinks that it is my pituitary gland that is failing me.I must admit that he did see my previous blood test done via the NHS (TSH 2.55 and free T4 15.6) and said they were fine.Has anyone suffered from low cortisol because of a pituitary that is not fonctioning properly?I read somewhere that if the pituitary is not working then it can affect the thyroid since the pituitary is also known as the "Master gland".Anyone to give me more info?I am worried that it might be a pituitary tumeur because for the past few years I have had trouble with my eyes: pressure behind my eyes, sharp pain behind my eyes, so many floaters and some of them are really big, sudden darkness in my left eyes followed by shooting stars)Do you think these vision troubles are signs of pituitary tumeur?I am so worried Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.6/1192 - Release Date: 21/12/07 13:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 > > Hi Tia - There is an organisation for people with pituitary problems - PITPAT, they have a website. > > Pituitary reasons for hypothyroidism are supposed to be rare though I think that many of us diagnosed are actually pituitary rather than 'just' hypothyroidism! The main problem with being diagnosed with a pituitary problem seems to be that as its considered rare, and most doctors never see a case, they just dont think of it! I wonder how many of us on this group are really undiagnosed pituitary people and because we go for so long without being diagnosed, that's why we get all the other symptoms that most people with hypothyroidism dont get (the pains hair loss etc). The TSH doesnt raise with pituitary disease therefore if thats the only test they do they wont find it! > > I understand that the pituitary is like a master gland that controls all the hormonal glands so the effects are not just thyroid but can be ovaries etc, I dont really know about cortisol but I think its a hormone and therefore could be affected by the pituitary. > > I do know that a lot of pituitary problems are caused by pituitary tumours - BUT this does not necessarily mean surgery or that its cancer - in the VAST majority of cases they are benign (in fact I think pituitary cancer is extremely rare). Some people can be controlled by diet and supplements apparently - I have an acquaintance with a pituitary tumour who controls with diet and supplements and primarily she needs to ensure that she sleeps well to cope - she does take melatonin and temazepam but never more than 3 days in a row and she copes very well under supervision from a competent doctor! > > It sounds like your doctor knows his/her stuff by even considering pituitary disease! Have a look at the PitPat website and relax - whatever the cause you are on the right road to be getting better! > Gill x > I think he is a good endocrinologist; some of his patients include the royal family, celebrities and so on. I won't even bother say how much he charges cos you'll scream but my private insurance covers it. I'm still mad that he advised me to see a psy to treat my stress...pfff. I do not think I am allowed to give his name on this forum but if I am allowed then let me know and I'll tell you who he is. I must say he did ask for more blood tests compared to my NHS GP which I think I might sue after she refused to check my eyes because because I had been in her office for ten minutes instead of seven...pfff... and because I told her that a " real " doctor would never say such things to a patient she then wrote on my file: Verbally abusive behaviour... Is she for real??? Tia x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2008 Report Share Posted April 25, 2008 hi Tia - he must be the best if he counts the Royal Family amongst his patients!! Let Sheila know off forum who he is! sounds like you are in good hands. Chin up! Gill x I think he is a good endocrinologist; some of his patients include the royal family, celebrities and so on. I won't even bother say how much he charges cos you'll scream but my private insurance covers it.I'm still mad that he advised me to see a psy to treat my stress...pfff.I do not think I am allowed to give his name on this forum but if I am allowed then let me know and I'll tell you who he is.I must say he did ask for more blood tests compared to my NHS GP which I think I might sue after she refused to check my eyes because because I had been in her office for ten minutes instead of seven...pfff... and because I told her that a "real" doctor would never say such things to a patient she then wrote on my file: Verbally abusive behaviour... Is she for real???Tia x Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.6/1192 - Release Date: 21/12/07 13:17 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 26, 2008 Report Share Posted April 26, 2008 > > May I encourage you to pop into your optomertrist (sp) and ask him to > have a look in your eyes. They have the ability to look behind the > eye and may be able to give you some indication in the first instance. > > Then I would also ask the GP for an MRI to check out anything. I can > understand why you are distressed, but once you have some facts to > work with you then can plan a course of action. I often think not > knowing is the worst > > I mention this as just last week a lady I know saw an optomatrist (sp) > and he found she had an aneurysm. I am not telling you this to cause > you more distress, or infer you may have an aneurysm, but to > highlight how much a good optomatrist can tell you. > > jennyfreeman > PS: I had a cerebral aneurysm coiled - like many things its not the > problem it once was thanks to modern technology. It was cos I had > asked my doc for an MRI of the pituitary that we found the aneurysm. > > > > Hi , Thanks for your reply I went to the Eye Clinic just over 2 years ago. They put some drops in my eyes and after 30mn had a look. I was then told that they could not see anything wrong. My complaint was that I could see too many floaters and at times it felt like if a black cloud was covering my left eye and then I would see lots of shooting stars. But they said my eyes looked fine. I'm a bit worried because I read that pituitary tumeur can cause problems with the eyes when the tumeur presses against the optic nerves. The lady at the Eye Clinic told me to ignore the floaters. Pfff... how could I? They are absolutely EVERYWHERE. I will ask for an MRI when I'll see my endo next tuesday. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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