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Does High Dose Of Steroids Cause Difference In Adrenal Function?
Question: Hi, i need some help with my adrenal function , have developed issues after high dose of steroids thanks :)
Hi
excessive and long term steroids will cause adrenal suppression by decreasing ACTH in the body
so this problem can be over come by slow tapering of the dose
this need to be done by a endocrinologist
relax this is a reversible condition
reply with thanks
Dr srilatha
excessive and long term steroids will cause adrenal suppression by decreasing ACTH in the body
so this problem can be over come by slow tapering of the dose
this need to be done by a endocrinologist
relax this is a reversible condition
reply with thanks
Dr srilatha
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi there i have posted a more detailed of what has happened originally ... If you could please kindly read that ... I think i should be put back on it and tapper properly as i am really struggling ... I have a hatd tome convincing my gp
Brief Answer:
Steroids
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your challenges regarding this medical issue.
I have perused your previous query in detail.
Somehow the gender in the first query is mentioned as male while here it says female.
It will be helpful to know the correct answer.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:
CBC
Electrolytes
Glucose
Calcium
Kidney function tests
Liver function tests
TSH
Free T4
25 hydroxy vitamin D
8 am serum cortisol
I understand what you are complaining of,and the above tests will help rule out other potential causes for these problems such as
thyroid problems
vitamin D deficiency
Calcium-glucose-electrolyte imbalance
And certainly a repeat morning cortisol will be of considerable help.
This is assuming you sleep at night and wake up in the mornings as your normal routine
Steroids
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your challenges regarding this medical issue.
I have perused your previous query in detail.
Somehow the gender in the first query is mentioned as male while here it says female.
It will be helpful to know the correct answer.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:
CBC
Electrolytes
Glucose
Calcium
Kidney function tests
Liver function tests
TSH
Free T4
25 hydroxy vitamin D
8 am serum cortisol
I understand what you are complaining of,and the above tests will help rule out other potential causes for these problems such as
thyroid problems
vitamin D deficiency
Calcium-glucose-electrolyte imbalance
And certainly a repeat morning cortisol will be of considerable help.
This is assuming you sleep at night and wake up in the mornings as your normal routine
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My gp has done most if these tests but nothing shows up the obly thing was that midnight salaiva test was 3.8 which exceeded the cut off of <3.2 ... The purple atrech marks are developing on my face legs and arms and they just cant give me any answer ... Do you think i should do the dexametazone suppression test? The acth stimulation test was normal ... I had minir vitamin d deficency which they have put me on high dose of it ... But i have quiet thin skin .. My complection has fully changed and i have become sun sensitive ... Can strech marks develope with low level of cortisol in body? Specialist wants to put me back on steroid for few months and i am worried i will have far more strech marks ... Its real upsetting :( ... Sodium and potassium was within limits and glocuse as well ...no thyroid problem was shown ... The strech marks started developing rapidly after i developed a bought if diareah ... Oh and i am female and 33 years old ... Thanks again
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I have noted the elevated midnight saliva test result. based upon this, it would be worthwhile screening for the possibility of 'endogenous' cortisol excess. Endogenous refers to inherent over-production of 'steroids' by the body as opposed to the effects of taking steroids from outside ie as medications.
You clearly have some symptoms of this.
There are several ways to go about this. One is the midnight saliva test. The other, as you have surmised, is the Dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Another example is the 24 hour urine test for cortisol and creatinine.
I strongly suggest you undergo these tests with an endocrinologist because they can be complex to perform and interpret. For instance there are different types of DSTs, a 1 mg overnight one and a low dose/high dose DST too. The choice of test depends on the clinical judgement of the endocrinologist
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I have noted the elevated midnight saliva test result. based upon this, it would be worthwhile screening for the possibility of 'endogenous' cortisol excess. Endogenous refers to inherent over-production of 'steroids' by the body as opposed to the effects of taking steroids from outside ie as medications.
You clearly have some symptoms of this.
There are several ways to go about this. One is the midnight saliva test. The other, as you have surmised, is the Dexamethasone suppression test (DST). Another example is the 24 hour urine test for cortisol and creatinine.
I strongly suggest you undergo these tests with an endocrinologist because they can be complex to perform and interpret. For instance there are different types of DSTs, a 1 mg overnight one and a low dose/high dose DST too. The choice of test depends on the clinical judgement of the endocrinologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I saw an endo which fully dismissed me dispite all the symptoms i have had ... He paused when he saw the midnight saliva test and said thats kind if close to XXXXXXX ... I live 8 hours away from my eno and will be a big trip to see him again but i can get my gp to order this test ... The gp has put me on steroid for 3 days now for sever croup caugh and i noticed the strech marks are developing much more rapid ... My back pain and energy is back to normal and i can function real well ... My question is how many days after stop of the steroids i can do this test? Thanks ... Its very upsetting as strech marks and purple streaks have come to my chin and my cheeks .. I never had any issues with my skin ... Thanks again and do you prefer for me to have a low dose test or high dose? My morning cortisol level have been wirhin fhe normal range and 24 hour urine test has never been doen ... Thanks again
Brief Answer:
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
I suggest you undergo such testing after you have been off steroids for several days.
Then 24 hour urine cortisol/creatinine might be a useful test to consider.
Endocrinology and cortisol problems are very complex for a non-expert to manage. I understand you live far from your endo but I do hope you are able to establish regular follow ups with him/her
Second follow up
Detailed Answer:
I suggest you undergo such testing after you have been off steroids for several days.
Then 24 hour urine cortisol/creatinine might be a useful test to consider.
Endocrinology and cortisol problems are very complex for a non-expert to manage. I understand you live far from your endo but I do hope you are able to establish regular follow ups with him/her
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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