5 for a few months, they tested by cortisol with a blood draw, and it was below 0.5. Well, then I went ahead and took the correct dose of .5 (one pill), and after six weeks they tested me again, and I'M STILL at the same low reading. Therefore, seems like this dex is SUPRESSING my cortisol, which is the exact opposite of what I need. Ye gads.
Thanks for anything anyone can tell me that will help on this dex issue.
My doctor dislike predinsone, and prescribes Dexamethasone. 2mg 4 times a day. He told ne to make no important decisions while I am on it. %$#&^@%
How the heck do you maintain that?
I was on for 14 days then taper. I was also put on low sodium, diuretic and ant-virals.
After seven weeks, I was much better, but then lost hearing this weekend. Back on the steroids and it has helped, but am very frustrated.
My doctor had me do the dexamethasone suppression test. I had my levels tested when she said at 8am and my cortisol came back below range at 0.8. The range was 4.0-22.0. Could this very low level explain the weight gain? What does this low level mean?
My doctor prescribed just one dose of 1 mg Dexamethasone to prep for an adrenal blood test. I am supposed to take it the night before my blood draw. Reading the drug information - mainly the side effects - was a bit unsettling for me. I'm already somewhat prone to panic attacks and feeling jittery after ingesting a stimulant (coffee, athletic supplements), so that side effect concerns me most particularly since I will be taking it at night.
I am 34 and was referred by endocrine doctor to take Dexamethasone Oral (1000mg) for a test. i'm suppose to take the pill at night and have a blood test in the morning.
I have chronic gastritis and suffered before several horrible attacks (I fainted and almost couldn't breath). I had serious anemia (low ferritin & iron levels )for almost 3 years because of this infection and it took me long time to fix it.
I first went on 10mg of hydro and it seemed to help then it stopped helping. I had to increase my dose and now Im on 20mg and again feel like I did before. I feel like my body has gotten used to it. I tried Dexamethasone which helped, but seemed to have more side effects. Can you tell me if you are on hydro or dexa? What dose and what times? When do you add DHEA if you are using it. Does DHEA help?
Dexamethasone may increase her IOP so she needs her IOP to be monitored closely.
No problem. :) I've had the dexamethasone suppression test when Cushing's was suspected. My results were normal and my symptoms are actually due to severe insulin resistance.
WebMD - Cortisol in Urine:
"High values:
* One cause of Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's disease, a condition caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland (adenoma).
This time, we took the test the right way, with no caffeine, no steroids (had to work off them and stay off them for two weeks to get the test done, and that was tough.) This time, my 24-urine cortisol was low-it was 3, with him saying 5 was low-normal, and that it could account for pain and fatigue, because the body wasn’t healing well, but he mostly blew it off and said it wasn't 'low enough' to cause problems.
Perhaps I misread his prescription form. It looks like it says 25mg, but then again, I can barely read his writing. Either way he told me that these would be supplied to me in a very low dose form and there wouldn't be much by way of side effects. But doctors seem to always tell you that. He also told me I didn't have to worry about taking my medication with food. Perhaps it's .25mg as well? I see here it doesn't even come in 25mg tablet form!
Hi! I have adrendal insufficiency, along with hypothyroidism and diabetes insipidus, due to a brain tumor I had when I was 12. I have tried three different steroids to get my energy level up. I've been on prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone and none of them work!
t know I got a copy of my test results...he called me and told me he wanted me to take the dexamethasone (test result 1.1 mcg/dl) and he told me over the phone that the only thing that was high was my testosterone and that I have PCOS and that I have a non-functioning microadenoma and I WOULD NOT INTERFER WITH MY DEPLOYING IN NOV. He did not mention my cortisol being elevated or my lh being higher then fsh the rest of my results are in range from what i can tell my prolactin is 16.
I know some people that swing both super high and super low and end up in the hospital for AI even though they still had Cushing's with their cycles but that is not common.
Your doctor did a lot of testing (thankfully). My tests were never more than slightly high and I am totally disabled now with crumbling bones and weak muscles - so you hope that the cortisol is not doing hidden damage to the eyes, etc. Tests do not correlate to what is going on.
Apart from thyroid issues, the symptoms could be due to low or high blood pressure, low blood sugar, internal ear problems and pinched nerves in the neck.
Hashimotos can cause extreme fatigue, weakness, feeling of legs giving away, joint pain etc. So, you can feel weird if the thyroid levels are not under control.
Diagnosis of Cushing’s is by dexamethasone suppression test where cortisol and ACTH level are determined after giving dexamethasone. Alternatively a 24 hour cortisol measure is done.
Everything I find says not to use it in pregnancy because it can cause birth defects or abortion.
At the same time, it can be used in cases where the need for the drug outweighs the risk to the fetus. It is commonly used to help the lungs develop if preterm birth is imminent. I would discuss this with your doctor until you are satisfied with your knowledge and their reasoning behind using it.
Never be afraid to question a doctor. They won't think you are questioning their ability.
I am starting C2 of Clomid 100 mg -- on 50 mg CD3-7, I had no positive OPKs and my progesterone level was low on days 19 and 28. I started to have light bleeding on day 34 with a negative pregnancy test. I'm wondering what experiences people have on the higher dose -- I didn't have many side effects at the 50 mg dose. Also wondering if my chances of ovulation are better this time around.
Thanks!
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