Posted by vince on June 4, 2001, at 23:01:46
In reply to Re: Any hypocortisolaemiacs out there?, posted by Ant-Rock on June 3, 2001, at 21:13:18
> > I have cortisol levels that are around 30% lower than the lower end of the normal range (at several times throughout the day--levels show a great degree of diurnal variation). I was wondering if anyone out there has the same problem (i.e., low, but not physically dangerously low as in addison's disease, levels of cortisol) and who has been relieved from fatigue, hypersensitivity to infections, etc by using low-dose glucocorticoids as an augmentation of treatment with antidepressants?
> > If so, did it cause adrenal suppression? Did it change the amount of antidepressant needed?
> > Thanks in advance
> >
> > John
> Hi John,
> I too had low cortisol readings, along with low-end testosterone, severe atypical depression/fatigue. The second endo-doc I saw agreed to let me try hydrocortisone therapy after I read an excellent book on the subject. Unfortunately, for me nothing dramatic happened, but this was probably due to my depression not being treated properly. Long-term Prednisone use is much more likely to cause adrenal suppression than hydrocortisone, if used in physiological doses. The case studies in the book are really fascinating.I really think this book could answer most, if not all of your questions.
> If you would like, I could post the name of the book(which I can't think of right now), but the authors name is Dr. William Jeffries.
> I must admit, Elizabeths post regarding the abstract: (prednisone augmentation) has got my attention.
> Hope this is of some help to you and
> Good Luck.
I for one would be interested in the name of the book that you mention above.I'm curious, you say that you had low testosterone levels also. Did you try testosterone replacement?
I tested low for total testosterone but I don't think that is the cause of my depression because I have had depression since I was twenty-two years old and I'm sure that at that age I didn't have low testosterone levels. At least it didn't feel like it.
I wish that I would have had my cortisol levels tested at the same time but I didn't.
Vince
poster:vince
thread:64669
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010530/msgs/65426.html