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Original poster

Low cortisol

3 replies

Myusername2015 · 20/02/2023 05:01

Hi all; I’ve been in hospital now for 9 days originally with pneumonia; infection markers over 150. I’m well enough now to go home other than the anomaly that my cortisol level has been low on 3 blood tests. I’ve read up on Addisons and I don’t seem to fit the profile. Any other idea ?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 20/02/2023 05:15

Have you been on steroids? They can suppress the adrenal system.

ds he “secondary cortisol insufficiency caused by steroid use”

Original poster
Myusername2015 · 20/02/2023 05:33

Yes!!! I’ve been on them all week here. The doctor didn’t even mention that as a possible reason.

OP posts:
Wildernesstips · 20/02/2023 21:53

I was found to produce almost zero cortisol after a spell in hospital after pneumonia (unrelated- it was just that I kept getting sicker). They eventually found, via an MRI that there was something wrong with my pituitary gland. I now take replacement steroids, and will do for life. It is pretty rare though. My cortisol readings are too low to be accurately measured.

I didn’t realise how ill I had been feeling until I started taking hydrocortisone and felt like I had the energy of someone 20 years younger.

Have you seen an endocrinologist?

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