Anyone had test for Addison's?

[MrJohnsonAteMyCustard]

Just wondered if anyone has had a test for Addison's disease? I have to have a blood test (or something) in a few weeks and wondered what it was like?

I didn't ask the doctor any questions when he told me I'd have to go in at 9am and that it was a fasting test.

Is it just like a blood test or something more involved?

Thanks in advance!

I've not long had this test - first I had a normal blood test, which tested my natural cortisol levels (and lots of other stuff). This came back with a low result, so he sent me for a short synacthen test (also like a blood test, except they inject you with synthetic ACTH after the first baseline draw, then re-draw blood at 30 mins and an hour to see whether your cortisol levels rise and if so, how quickly). My GP said it came back normal, but I'm none the wiser as to whether this means I don't have a problem, or may have a secondary form of Addison's. It's quite complicated!

I have.

I had a blood test for something else, I can't remember what, and was called back to the hospital on the back of that. I had to be at the hospital really early in the morning and had been fasted.

They took blood then gave me the synacthen. They re-took the blood after 30 and 60 minutes to test the reactions. I got a letter a couple of weeks later to say it was normal. I still don't know what triggered me having to have the test.

It's absolutely fine. The worst bit is all the hanging around.

Did you have any more follow up after the synacthen Fairy?

Only the two blood tests, one after half an hour and the other half an hour later. The results came back normal so they didn't see me again.

My kids both had synacthen tests, DS had to have a long test (over 48 hours I think) as his short one came back positive, DD's showed her adrenal glands were working just about. DS collapsed and was found to be acidotic after picking up what we thought was a normal tummy bug. He came home from school feeling sick, threw up a few times then had a seizure, he was blue lighted to hospital where he was found to be very unwell indeed. His was medically induced as a side effect of his asthma medication. He is fully recovered now (and my memory is slightly hazy as it was almost 20 years ago).

His collapse was what led to the testing and the diagnosis, sorry my brain is mush tonight.

I've had the short synacthen test. It showed I have secondary Addison's as I didn't respond to the injection. I now carry emergency hydrocortisone injection in handbag. Both me & DP have been shown how to inject if I collapse again.

I took a book to read while hanging around in between blood tests. Its not so bad as you know when you go for it you will have to wait. Good luck OP.

Thanks all - interesting to hear your experiences. I'm still waiting for the appointment to come through. The aspect I'm least looking forward to is having to fast No breakfast! Still, if it shows up anything I guess it'll be worth it.

It's the short synacthen test - just seen it in the doctor's referral letter.

Yes. Lots of hanging about with a canula stuck in. Think I was monitored for 8 hours (other stuff as well as the short syn test though).

8 hours!!!! Noooo! I'd rather not know....I'll have lost four stone by then if I don't eat

Mine was done at 10am, so not too late. Mine went like this...

1. Take tube of blood (no canula as need clean line for 2nd blood test later, so just a normal blue butterfly needle that is one use.)
2. Inject with synacthen
3. Wait 30 minutes
4. Another blood test to see response to synacthen.
5. Eat breakfast at about 10.30am. Late but doable on a one off.

They did keep me in for another hour but that was to have a chat with consultant due to my result being very low.

Also the synacthen is injected into muscle, so just a normal jab into upper arm. Hope that helps OP.