Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
High BP, Throbbing In Head, Swollen Feet. Having High Cortisol, Low TSH Levels. Should I Change Medicine?
I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND AM ON MEDICATION BUT LATELY FEEL THROBBING IN MY HEAD, HEADACHES, FEET HAVE BEEN SWOLLEN, VERY VERY TIRED. COULD THIS BE A SIGN MY MEDICATION IS NOT WORKING OR NEED ADDITIONAL MEDICINE. I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH MANY BLOOD WORK UPS DUE TO VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AND HIGH CORTISOL LEVELS AND LOW ACTH LEVELS!
Tue, 23 Jul 2013
Dear patient,
Elevated cortisol levels are certainly not normal, particularly with low ACTH, which could be suggestive of hypercortisolism of tne adrenal glands (excessive steroid production by the glands), which in turn can be a cause of difficult to control blood pressure. My advise would be to see an endocrinologist who can evaluate the situation and decide further workup tests and treatment. Keep on taking the medications as prescribed.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
Elevated cortisol levels are certainly not normal, particularly with low ACTH, which could be suggestive of hypercortisolism of tne adrenal glands (excessive steroid production by the glands), which in turn can be a cause of difficult to control blood pressure. My advise would be to see an endocrinologist who can evaluate the situation and decide further workup tests and treatment. Keep on taking the medications as prescribed.
Yours truly,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Cardiology
Mayo Clinic MN
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Adrenal gland disorder
Loading Online Doctors....