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What Causes Lethargy And Low Cortisol Levels?
Hi I have been feeling very unwell and lethargic and had a cortisol test that came back that was very low. I was sent for a test for ACTH or something where I was injected with cortisol and then another test. My Dr said that the test came back normal so he did a cortisil test again. It came back normal again. My question is why would it be so low oe day and a few weeks later be normal? Does it have anything to do with my age 49 or thyroid? Thanks
Wed, 16 Jan 2019
Hello,
It is possible that you are symptoms where not due to true cortisol deficiency but due to a viral infection or similar conditions.
Cortisol level has diurnal variation so the level will also depend on the time that sample is collected. If the ACTH level and Synacthen test are normal then your adrenal gland is working normally.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Noble Zachariah,
Internal Medicine Specialist
It is possible that you are symptoms where not due to true cortisol deficiency but due to a viral infection or similar conditions.
Cortisol level has diurnal variation so the level will also depend on the time that sample is collected. If the ACTH level and Synacthen test are normal then your adrenal gland is working normally.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Noble Zachariah,
Internal Medicine Specialist
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