Posted by Anonne on August 7, 2003, at 23:38:10
In reply to tests to check CORTISOL levels - Anonne, posted by BekkaH on August 7, 2003, at 20:15:42
Thanks, Bekka. I didn't exactly pry on her specific knowledge of tests when I brought it up, as consults cost over $4-5 a minute.
But, yes, now that you bring up those spec. test names, some of them do sound quite familiar, esp. the tests w/ -"17" attached to them. What compounds the problem is that some offices differ in names of what each test involves, and as a novice, I don't always know the proper questions to ask (i.e, "thyroid panel". Well, does it involve more than just the TSH levels, such as T3, T4, or Reuptake T4, or even free T7? I hope that example made sense).
I have gone to a few endocrinologists in my life, but none specifically for HPA dysregulation.
Isn't ACTH stimulation test the same as my aforementioned 'dexamethazone suppression test'?
Thanks again, A.
> Hi. I think it would be helpful for you to consult with an endocrinologist. I'm surprised that your psychiatrist said that she is not getting information from the psychiatric community on this topic. Cortisol and HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) dysregulation are among the most important issues in biopsychiatry and psycho-neuroendocrinology today. There are many tests for HPA axis dysfunction; to mention just a few, there are tests for plasma cortisol, 24-hour urinary free cortisol, urinary 17-ketosteroids, urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids, ACTH stimulation tests, and others.
poster:Anonne
thread:248197
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/249180.html