Cortisol

[Honey671]

Just had my cortisol blood test results which are 1243. High. Anyone had this high and can I take anything to help my stress levels? I’m on antidepressants and beta blockers and still anxiety is bad

Was this a morning 8-9am blood test? If so your doctor should be referring you to endocrinology for tests for Cushing’s syndrome. (I have Addisons disease which is the opposite- low cortisol).

Normal morning cortisol should be around 400 (mine is zero).

Yes I had it done yesterday at 8.40am. I’ve been under lots of stress and being referred to mental health department in a few weeks. I reckon my doctor will just say it’s stress. I’d like it looking into though

Did they prescribe anything for your low cortisol?

Yes, if you have Addisons like me (low cortisol) you have to take daily life long steroids to replace the cortisol otherwise it’s fatal. Cushings (very high cortisol) is more complex - they have to find out the reasons for the high cortisol; often pituitary related or sometimes a nodule on your adrenal glands that stimulates them too much. You need to have a google about cushings and push for a referral. Don’t pay any attention to the stuff in the media at the moment about lowering or raising cortisol, it’s absolute nonsense and doesn’t relate to medically diagnosed cortisol issues.

Thank you. I’m hoping my doctor contacts me and does more tests. They know I have panic attacks and bad anxiety right now so they will probably say it’s stress. I hope they look into it though because I suffer so bad with anxiety I’ll not get those levels down myself. Something else could be the cause so I want more tests. They tested my hormone levels which were also very low, they said it’s down to contraceptive pill. No further tests needed. I just feel somethings going on somewhere

Sorry you’re having such an awful time. I would definitely think with cortisol levels that high (and non existent hormone levels, even on the pill) that they should be referring you to endocrinology. I hope you get some answers soon. The Pituitary Foundation have a specialist endocrine nurse helpline that may be useful to you -

www.pituitary.org.uk/helplines/

Thank you. I’ve been told it’s my pill giving me low hormones and haven’t heard anything about the high cortisol. I know somethings wrong so I want some help, if I don’t hear anything I’ll make an appointment. I’m noticing my anxiety and panic attacks are worse, my hairs really thinned and I have so much blonde facial hair appeared, so much is going on.

Oh my gosh! I have the EXACT same symptoms as you.
My oestrogen and serum LH came back extremely low, and I’ve just had cortisol blood tests which came back at 991.

Did you have any luck finding out what is wrong? Hope you’re feeling a bit better!

my Oestrogen and progesterone was extremely low and they told me it’s due to contraceptive pill, but my levels are ridiculously low. I’m seeing my doctor on Monday to see what she says about the cortisol being high. I feel like I need things looked into because I feel so low with anxiety, my hairs thinning and lots of peach fuzz is growing all over my face