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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can High Level Of Cortisol Cause Weight Gain And Fatigue?

My physician believes that I have cylical Cushings. I have had two MRI s of my pituitary which were tumor free. However, I display most of the symptoms that are typical of Cushings and I have had about 7 UFC s that have all come back high. I also did the saliva test a year ago and that came back on the high side of normal. I have just done yet another UFC and the doctor is making me do another one because of high urine output (3000mL) This time he wants me to restrict fluid intake as much as possible. I read on WWW.WWWW.WW that cortisol levels would only become distorted in this test if the output exceeded 5L. I am concerned that restricting my intake will also distort my results. The pituitary is the only source that the physician has checked and refuses to check other less obvious sources. The latest UFC (that I am re-doing) was because I gained thirty pounds in one month, renewed and worsened stretch marks and I was so fatigued I could not keep my eyes open. I am also concerned that since the last UFC was two weeks ago that we missed the high in the cycle and will have to now wait for the next one. This is very frustrating because I am only 23 and I feel held-back in everyday life. I should also mention that my thyroid has been tested many times and it has always come back normal although my grandfather has hypothyroidism. Lastly, my white blood cell count has come back high a few times, but my pcp said that it s probably just normal for me. Is it possible that I normally produce too much cortisol too? I have gotten substantially weaker and am concerned about the overall damaging effects of too much cortisol on my tissues. Thank you for your help!
Fri, 7 Aug 2015
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Dietitian & Nutritionist,  's  Response
Hello and nice to hear from you. Regarding your concern about the fluids, I can provide you some guidelines about obtaining sufficient fluid and reasons why the doctor may have wanted them restricted. With cortisone the suggested diet is low sodium supplemented with calcium citrate. Cortisone will drain your calcium and cause weak bones. Calcium supplementation to counteract the cortisone is a minimum of 800 mg/day. Other recommendations for diet while taking cortisone are vitamin D supplements (1,000 IU is safe) and obtaining a sufficient quantity of lean protein. Cortisol can cause muscle wasting. NO Grapefruit juice.

Cortisol can induce a diabetic change in metabolism I think patients do better on a Heart Healthy Weight Controlled Meal Plan adapted for Blood Sugar Control.

It would be best to consult with an Endocrinologist regarding your question about producing more cortisol. We produce more when stressed, but if you are referring to something else, the doctor will need to run tests.

Do you know about Google Scholar? You can do a lot of your own medical research online. I encourage patients to pursue their questions such as the one you have on your white blood cells.

In the meantime, do everything you can to keep healthy until your clinical puzzle is figured out.

I hope the nutritional directions I provided point you in the right direction to avoid complications. Sincerely, Kathryn J. Shattler, MS,RDN Nutritional Clinician
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Can High Level Of Cortisol Cause Weight Gain And Fatigue?

Hello and nice to hear from you. Regarding your concern about the fluids, I can provide you some guidelines about obtaining sufficient fluid and reasons why the doctor may have wanted them restricted. With cortisone the suggested diet is low sodium supplemented with calcium citrate. Cortisone will drain your calcium and cause weak bones. Calcium supplementation to counteract the cortisone is a minimum of 800 mg/day. Other recommendations for diet while taking cortisone are vitamin D supplements (1,000 IU is safe) and obtaining a sufficient quantity of lean protein. Cortisol can cause muscle wasting. NO Grapefruit juice. Cortisol can induce a diabetic change in metabolism I think patients do better on a Heart Healthy Weight Controlled Meal Plan adapted for Blood Sugar Control. It would be best to consult with an Endocrinologist regarding your question about producing more cortisol. We produce more when stressed, but if you are referring to something else, the doctor will need to run tests. Do you know about Google Scholar? You can do a lot of your own medical research online. I encourage patients to pursue their questions such as the one you have on your white blood cells. In the meantime, do everything you can to keep healthy until your clinical puzzle is figured out. I hope the nutritional directions I provided point you in the right direction to avoid complications. Sincerely, Kathryn J. Shattler, MS,RDN Nutritional Clinician