Low Cortisol levels 6 year old

[nicciw87]

Hi there my wee man is 6 and has small stature had bloods recently to check hormone levels and consultant phoned me today to get him in next week to get a sst blood test. Has anyone been through this before or any one had a child with low cortisol levels in a blood test and it not amounted to anything?

No experience in a child but I’ve got Addison’s disease and if that turns out to be what your son has it’s very easily managed and doesn’t really restrict your life at all once you are correctly medicated . Good luck with the tests .

How much shorter is he than he should

@GrumpyHoonMain he's is on the 1st centile now and at very least considering mine and dad's levels lowest limit should be 9th centile.
@Floralnomad thank you I don't know anything about it just was googling after consultant phoned not sure if you can just have cortisol levels low for a bit of time for various reasons or whether it usually indicates a problem

1st when he should be on the 9th as a minimum isn’t too bad. He’s on the curve at least. Definitely go with the tests but don’t worry too much. Lower cortisol levels can be natural if you’re not white-British depending on your background!

I have Addisons and find this group really helpful- lots of people with children with it here too-

www.facebook.com/groups/175948922471395/?ref=share

@Bagelsandbrie thank I will have a look
@GrumpyHoonMain thank you but we are white British obviously I don't know what levels blood test showed but least consultant is being pro active

If his growth isn’t on track and he has cortisol issues that could indicate a problem with his pituitary gland. Are they doing a cortisol stimulation test? Cortisol levels rise and fall through the day so there’s limited information to be gained from a one off test. If he really does have an issue with cortisol levels then he should also have an MRI.
There could be different causes for this.
The pituitary gland controls the production of cortisol and growth hormone.

@DailyCandy yes had phone call Thursday and he is in 9th December for the cortisol test was just wondering if a one off blood test showing low levels which was at 10am could just be a one off or if it normally does indicate a problem

I don't know what a normal 10am level would be. But it's a good thing they're doing the stimulation test if they think it's low. Keep us posted on how you go. Fingers crossed for you.

Our DS is in a similar situation but it’s a consequence of oral, topical and inhaled steroids (secondary adrenal insufficiency). Is your DS on any similar types of meds?

@Bubnomore no nothing like that so if he does fail sst think it might be primary or wlse maybe something to do with pituitary gland from the research iv done

Hi OP how did you get on?

@DailyCandy yeh he was a wee star getting the cannula in. All finished by 11am yesterday but no word on results yet. I assume the paed will phone when the results are in but not sure

Glad he managed it well, what a brave little one. Fingers crossed for you.

@DailyCandy it's a strange one cuz on one hand I'm praying he doesn't have a life long condition but on the other it would be good to finally have answers and be able to do something to help him

I understand. At least you will know soon - try not to deal with the what ifs right now. Sorry I'm prob not helping! I hope they don't keep you waiting too long.

Hi @nicciw87 i know this post is more than 5 years old but was wondering what the outcome was for your little one regarding low cortisol level? My 2 year old has to do a follow up test to check his levels again as it came out being on the lower end. Would love to hear how you guys got on since the results. Thanks in advance.