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Adrenal Fatigue- Help Interpret Results

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Posted 4/9/2017 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all! I got the results for my Adrenocortex Stress test, it looks like they are pretty normal to me, but there is a paragraph at the bottom that sounds confusing. Can anyone provide insight? thanks!

1st sample- 0.286 (ref range 0.097-0.337)
2nd sample- 0.239 (ref range 0.027-0.106) - this one is high
3rd sample - 0.032 (ref range 0.013-0.068)
4th sample- 0.021 (ref range <=0.034)

DHEA in AM is 348 (ref range 71-640)
DHEA: Cortisol Ratio- 1,127 (ref range 358-2,538)

The confusing paragraph at the bottom reads
"A pattern showing one or more elevated cortisol levels, while the level of DHEA is within reference range, is clinically significant. Elevated cortisol suggests adrenal hyperfunction of the zona fasciculata (the primary source of cortisol). At this time there is no evidence of hyperfunction of the zona reticularis (the primary source of DHEA). This profile may present in the presence of increased physiological or psychological stress, anxiety, hypertension, and/or dysglycemia."

So, is it telling me that I may have adrenal hyperfuncion of the zona fasciculata? And the end sentence is basically saying I am stressed..?? duh.

thanks for any help you can offer.
Posted 4/9/2017 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
bump

I'ld like to hear some wisdom on this too.
Posted 4/9/2017 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi cindy -

I agree your levels look good. And I agree the paragraph is very poorly worded and confusing. This is how I read it:

"A pattern showing one or more elevated cortisol levels, while the level of DHEA is within reference range, is clinically significant. Elevated cortisol suggests adrenal hyperfunction of the zona fasciculata (the primary source of cortisol)." <—I read this as a general description of how elevated levels should be recognized and what they could indicate.

"At this time there is no evidence of hyperfunction of the zona reticularis (the primary source of DHEA)." <—this is a statement referencing your specific results. In other words, your results do not indicate hyper function of the zona reticularis.

"This profile may present in the presence of increased physiological or psychological stress, anxiety, hypertension, and/or dysglycemia." <—this statement explains what might cause the irregular levels (if you had them, which you don't.)

Hope that's helpful?

-p
Posted 4/10/2017 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Pirouette,

Thank you! I agree with what you said- thats how I first read it. Except this-

"A pattern showing one or more elevated cortisol levels, while the level of DHEA is within reference range, is clinically significant. Elevated cortisol suggests adrenal hyperfunction of the zona fasciculata (the primary source of cortisol). At this time there is no evidence of hyperfunction of the zona reticularis (the primary source of DHEA)."

The first part is talking about the zona fasciculata, and the second part is zona reticularis- Since the first statement (A pattern showing one or more elevated cortisol levels, while the level of DHEA is within reference range, is clinically significant. Elevated cortisol suggests adrenal hyperfunction of the zona fasciculata) says that, I feel like they meant that applies to me.

Either way, thanks!
Posted 4/10/2017 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I agree - at first glance, it seems like they are making a statement about your results but I think it's just poorly worded. From what you posted, your results don't show any elevated cortisol levels. So, I think it's a poor attempt to explain what it would mean, if the results were irregular.

Why don't you call the lab tomorrow and verify it? And then ask them to update their reports! ;)

-p
Posted 4/10/2017 12:32 AM (GMT 0)
Yep! I have a follow up with my LLMD who ordered it also, I was just impatient and it was confusing smile thanks!!
Posted 4/10/2017 12:54 AM (GMT 0)

cindy22706 said...
Hello all! I got the results for my Adrenocortex Stress test, it looks like they are pretty normal to me, but there is a paragraph at the bottom that sounds confusing. Can anyone provide insight? thanks!

1st sample- 0.286 (ref range 0.097-0.337)
2nd sample- 0.239 (ref range 0.027-0.106) - this one is high
3rd sample - 0.032 (ref range 0.013-0.068)
4th sample- 0.021 (ref range <=0.034)

DHEA in AM is 348 (ref range 71-640)
DHEA: Cortisol Ratio- 1,127 (ref range 358-2,538)

The confusing paragraph at the bottom reads
"A pattern showing one or more elevated cortisol levels, while the level of DHEA is within reference range, is clinically significant. Elevated cortisol suggests adrenal hyperfunction of the zona fasciculata (the primary source of cortisol). At this time there is no evidence of hyperfunction of the zona reticularis (the primary source of DHEA). This profile may present in the presence of increased physiological or psychological stress, anxiety, hypertension, and/or dysglycemia."

So, is it telling me that I may have adrenal hyperfuncion of the zona fasciculata? And the end sentence is basically saying I am stressed..?? duh.

thanks for any help you can offer.

Actually your second sample of the day does show high cortisol levels

Top end of range is 0.106 and you have 0.239 .
Posted 4/10/2017 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
So the interpretation is you have adrenal hyper function of the zona fasciculata.
That's how I read those results:

Take a look at this:

/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zona_fasciculata


/en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zona_reticularis

And I think it's saying this means your higher level could be from stress - physiological, psychological, anxiet, etc - as opposed to a malfunction adrenal gland??? - because your dhea was in range.
Posted 4/10/2017 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
Girlie- This makes sense... lol thanks! I already knew I was stressed though :/
Posted 4/10/2017 1:34 AM (GMT 0)

cindy22706 said...
Girlie- This makes sense... lol thanks! I already knew I was stressed though :/

But that's better than having a malfunctioning adrenal gland.(if I've interpreted that right)
Hopefully your Dr will confirm that.
Please post an update after you've seen your LLMD..okay?

I had high cortisol before I was diagnosed with Lyme and my Dr sent me for more tests - then to an Endocrinologist , who ordered another test, and then a scan of my adrenals.
By this time I was so keyed up about it (and was already distraught about what might be causing all these symptoms I had)...that after all the further testing came back normal - I paid for an MRI of my pituitary gland to make sure I didn't have a tumor on the gland.

I swear I have PTSD from that time when I was undiagnosed for 15 months with new symptoms showing up every few weeks.
Posted 4/10/2017 1:41 AM (GMT 0)
You tested high on the second test because you were experiencing a larger than normal amount of cortisol output, which is the hormone response to fight or flight. Do you remember what had been going on before your first and second time you gave a sample? I'm guessing the 2nd was around lunch time?
Posted 4/10/2017 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
oh - duh! I have no idea why I missed that. The 2nd sample IS high… says it right there.

Anyway, I agree w/ Girlie - it's better at that time a day that the level is too high than too low… and probably better than the levels being too high at the end of the day, which signal more serious adrenal fatigue.

Now's the time to take action and reduce your stress triggers. Lots of herbal options.

-p
Posted 4/10/2017 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Pain can cause the higher cortisol as well...and I had high pain levels at the time I was testing high for high total cortisol.


I can't remember - the second sample is at noon?
Posted 4/10/2017 11:32 AM (GMT 0)
July- I did it on a Sunday, I don't remember exactly, but normally Sundays I either prep for the week (which isn't doing much) and do laundry, or just sit around and my bf does most of the prepping. I want to say I didn't so much, so not much stress.

Girlie- Yes I think it was from 11am-1pm. I will let you know what my LLMD says.

I googled and I saw someone with the same results (only the second test was high but dhea was normal) and they said their doctor recommended an adrenal supplement. I do feel overly stressed. I don't know why, but for example, little things like someone driving up and tailgating me will bring my BP up, or me wondering if I am driving too slow for THEM. things like that.... never used to bother me before.
Posted 4/10/2017 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Chances are pretty good that you will need to use an adaptogenic of some type to help your adrenals level out. Our bodies are under constant stress with these infections, and it can increase our issues with adrenals.

My adrenals crashed hard - I was very low on cortisol all day long. I had to go into treatment for severe adrenal fatigue, and hypothyroidism because when my adrenals crashed it took my thyroid for the ride as well. That's when I got reinfected too - and I've been struggling with both since that time. Having and treating these infections puts stress on the adrenals, add a little stress from anywhere else and you have too much stress on adrenals that need to heal.

I don't know if you are interested in naturals for your treatments or not, but there are a lot of good options, as you will likely only need something like an adaptogen to avoid further issues.
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