I assume you mean the ACTH stimulation test? They can do a spot test of your ACTH level also. ACTH is the prehormone that your pituitary puts out to tell you adrenal glands to make cortisol. The doctor is going to test your blood for cortisol first, then give you a dose of ACTH, then check your blood again in 1/2 and 1 hour after the ACTH to see if your adrenal glands responded and put out cortisol. They often use this test to evaluation your adrenal gland function and to see if a previously low cortisol level is primarily from the adrenal glands, or perhaps is an ACTH deficiency instead. It usually involved 2 or 3 blood tests and one IV injection of medication. Hope that helps.

Thank you both. That was a good site. yes it is stimulation test.
Did either of you have Addison's?
Brendaq

My doc has not committed me to Addison's disease yet. He says I have adrenal failure and will probably have to be on lifelong treatment for it. My own research and my condition makes me think that my adrenals have been slowly failing for a long time and I think they will continue to fail until they don't work at all as we have yet to find out why they are failing. Once they have failed completely, I suppose then it could be labeled Addison's disease. My thyroid does not work either. The problem with adrenal glands is as soon as you start to supplement for them, you in effect shut them off by doing that. Its a catch 22. So, once you start treating, it becomes difficult to stop and regain any function. I have been completely unable to stop supplementing. Its a royal pain in the butt.

My thyroid has been partially removed so i take medicine so what do you take for adrenal failure?
THANK YOU
Brenda

The main thing to supplement is cortisol, which is hydrocortisone. I take prednisone and hydrocortisone as I seem resistant to the stuff and don't get much response. I also take DHEA, progesterone, and aldosterone - 3 other hormones my adrenals either don't make or make too little of. We've tried supplementing some of the precursors of the hormones too but got no response to that either. The cortisol is such a juggling act. YOu have to figure out how much to take for maintenance, you have to supplement extra for any stress. You have to take as little as possible to avoid the bad long term side effects. It is very hard to do - at least I have found it nigh impossible. I hope for your sake that your adrenals are working ok. RIght now I am taking a fairly hefty dose of the steroids and I think its too much as I'm putting on weight - but I don't feel better either. I wish someone could figure this out and give me the magic cure. That would be such a relief.

Does the prednisone keep you awake? I hope I don't have to take that. My friend has a problem that she has to take that and she hates it.
Oh well, got to do the test first.
Brenda

Prednisone can keep you awake if you take it at night. Most of the time it is not the first drug they use for adrenal replacement. They use hydrocortisone which is more like the natural cortisol. And you take the bulk of the dose first thing in the morning. Taking these steroids for replacement is different than taking them for diseases also, the doses are much smaller and if dosed properly you should not get the bad side effects that people get from larger doses. It is tricky figuring that out though.

Vanyel
Thank you so much for your help. How long does this test take?
Brenda

When I did it it took about an hour and a half total. They draw blood and give you the ACTH. Then you have to wait an hour. They may draw blood at half an hour too, and at one hour. Then you done. Its pretty simple. When is yours?

Hey Venyel, my test is this morning. I read on line where it said to fast and I picked up a call i missed last night and I thought she said to eat. I will call my dr office this morning. If yu get this before 10 am CST let me know.
Brenda

I meant Vanyel

I had the test today so I hope to hear soon. Did you all know you had something wrong or did it show up on blood work? I do not feel i have any problem.
Thanks
Brenda

OH I know something is very wrong. Without cortisol you feel like crap. Exhausted all the time, weak. It messes with everything your body does, so not having it is really a mess. You would have symptoms. I'm glad you don't, that is great. I wonder why they are pursuing this testing for you. Sorry I didn't get your other message in time. I take it the test itself went well. Good luck

Hello,
I have a back problem and I have been taking lortab 10 for six months. My friend told me to look up side effects and it does say causes adrenal problems. oh lordy, one thing causes another. Have you all heard that?
brenda

I have been taking armour thyroid for many years and one of the harmones in it is levothyroxine and could cause adrenal insufficiency.
b

I am going to quit reading