Cortisol

[Mommers 2]

My Doc thinks my cortisol, stress hormone, is out of whack. He thinks that cortisol and my low Iron problems are the reason my weight loss has stopped. I lost 135 initially but have 50 more to go and can't seem to lose it. Anyone else have this problem?

[jess9395 5,450]

Cortisol problems usually come from a problem with your adrenal glands. Either a tumor or a hyperplasia. Have you seen an endocrinologist and been evaluated? It's usually found in a 24 hour urine collection, that's how they found mine. I have a true "gland issue" and that is how they assessed it. I do have excess cortisol and it did cause low Iron and several other more serious issues including racing heart, cold sweats, headaches.... but my weight loss didn't slow.

[Mommers 2]

I go next week for a catscan of my stomach. My thyroid was fine, but from what I read my adrenal gland could be the problem. My doc seems to think that once the cortisol is under control the rest of my weight should come off!! I am hopeful!!

[jess9395 5,450]

Yes the adrenal glands are next to the kidneys. A cortisol problem would likely be from them. But they can do a lab test that looks for excess cortisol. A cat scan will find adenomas or hyperplasia, but you can have increased cortisol in the absence of those but it wouldn't show up without a 24 hour urine collection.

Are you experiencing other symptoms that makes him think it's cortisol?

[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

No necessarily just adrenal glands as the culprit. My wife had a tumor on her pituitary gland which was causing Cushing's disease-like symptoms. Removal of the tumor cured the issue and she lost over 50 pounds in 2 months. I only point this out because it took over 2 years to diagnose this issue.

[Mommers 2]

I go next week for a catscan of my stomach. My thyroid was fine, but from what I read my adrenal gland could be the problem. My doc seems to think that once the cortisol is under control the rest of my weight should come off!! I am hopeful!!

Thank you for letting me know this!! I will pass it on to my doc!! Hope your wife is well!!

[Mommers 2]

I have Hair loss, cannot lose weight no matter what I do and also my bloodwork shows possible pre-diabetes. Since they got my Iron up, my hair loss has stopped.

[jess9395 5,450]

Yes a pituitary adenomas can cause cortisol problems as well.

I'm glad your stomach is getting a cat scan and that would find an adrenal hyperplasia or adenoma, but not a pituitary one (that's in your brain).

Have they actually MEASURED your cortisol though? They can do that with a 24 hour urine test. That will also measure other endocrine functioning and determine if they also need to look at your pituitary glands or elsewhere in your endocrine system.

[Mommers 2]

I had to take the pill at 11:00 and then do a blood test the next morning at 8. I plan on asking about the 24 hr. urine test.

What were your wife's symptoms!

[jess9395 5,450]

Google Cushing's symptoms, they are very distinct and specific.

[Mommers 2]

Done! I have Hair loss, unexplained weight gain, and muscle weakness. Ready to find out if I have it or not!!! Don't want to drink that barium though!!! Yuck! Thursday is the day of the catscan! If it means that I can finish my weight loss and get my hair back I'll pretend that barium is a Sonic shake!! Chalk flavored of course!!

[Mommers 2]

Ok...so catscan came back normal!!! So now I need to ask about a 24 hour urine test correct?

[Navigating the Wilderness 824]

That's great to hear!! Yes, the 24 hour test would be the next step.

[jess9395 5,450]

Seems backwards to me I had the 24 hour test first which showed the high cortisol then they looked for the cause with the cat scan. But I'm sure your doctor is on top of it.

Just don't assume the problem is cortisol without proof, otherwise you could be missing the real problem