Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Secondary adrenal insufficiency

Hi everyone.

I have been doing research online and am very confused about how you determine secondary adrenal insufficiency.

I did a Cosyntropin (Cortrosyn) Stimulation Rapid 250 mcg test last week and am awaiting to speak to an endocrinologist. There are no established values in the lab report.

My cortisol baseline: 6.9  mcg/dL  
30 min: 17  mcg/dL  
60 min: 22  mcg/dL  

Low sodium - 134

Lots of fatigue, dizziness, visual disturbances, cognitive functioning, pain issues. Just diagnosed with fibromyalgia and had previous head injury.

Could this be secondary AI?

Thanks!
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Your cortisol is very low.....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
There are a few other reasons the pituitary can dysfunction like Sheehan's syndrome,etc. but just know that a tumor isn't the only reason the pituitary may be the cause of secondary adrenal insufficinecy
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Adrenal insufficiency can be caused from damage to the adrenal glands, a non working pituitary gland due to tumor or infection, or hypothalamic dysfunction which prevents a signal going to the pituitary gland to in turn signal the adrenal glands to work.  Adrenal insufficiency has many faces and differing symptoms with different causes but overall the end result is the same.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It could be secondary - if your ACTH tests hold that up and you have a pituitary tumor.

Primary means the source is adrenal, secondary means pituitary source.

Think of the pituitary as the radio tower and the adrenals as the radio. In primary, the radio is shut off and the tower then tries harder to reach the radio. Pituitary tests are then higher and cortisol tests lower. Stim tests show no increased result as the adrenal is diseased.

If the pituitary is at fault, the tower is not signaling the radio. Both can be low but a stim can can, as it is the simulated pit hormone, make the cortisol rise if the adrenals have not atrophied.

Both are treated the same way.
Does this help?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Adrenal Insufficiency Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
Avatar universal
MI
Avatar universal
Northern, NJ
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.