Very very very low cortisol, less than 1 in the morning, what does this mean?

[oliviamarie12345]

I have had symptoms for two years of severe fatigue, headaches, muscle pain, muscle weakness, very thirsty all the time, etc. Exercise makes it worse, not better. My endo just tested my cortisol and it is less than 1 when tested in the morning. She said normal is at least a minimum of 6. What does this mean? She thinks I could have hypopituitarism. My pituitary is a little enlarged on an MRI. She just had me go friday for an ATCH stimulation test. What does this low cortisol mean? Please help!

[ariesmom75]

Got my results from yesterday and my cortisol fasting am level was 0.54, prolactin and tsh levels elevated with MRI showing 4mm pituitary adenoma.  Endocrinologist still running more tests.  I'm praying for you.  No treatment given to me yet.  Praying all works out for the best.

[rumpled]

It is good you are going to another doctor. One test is not diagnostic - so you need more. Sodium testing would also help.

There are lots of tests you need to have a good doctor to cover them all.

[Ginny69]

I went to the doctor, I felt something was going on with my body. I thought it might be my thyroid. He ordered blood test, it came back normal. I told him it might be a false reading since I was on HRT, I had a complete histroectomy in 2000. I have been gaining weight and nothing I do diet, exercise nothing helps, I noticed dark skin pigmets on my face, I was always so tired. I also have Hidradenitis suppurativa and i get infections easy. I get cronic UTI's . I have been having dizzy spells latley. Woke in the middle of the night with severe stomach pain with no know reason. My doctor sent me for a radioactive scan of my thyroid it came back normal. My doctor sent me to an endo doc and he said he was baffled and he didn't know what was wrong, he said the only thing he could thing of was to do a cortisol test but he didn't think it would show anything. I agreed to the test. My morning level came back at .7% very very low. I didn't like the doctor i was sent to so there finding me another doctor. What do you guys think is going on, i am scared.

[pumpkinsun05]

Hi. I am having symptoms of major mood swing, I am exhausted all the time, my neck hurts and hard to keep head up when exhausted. I have diarrhea after I eat anything. I am losing weight. I have muscle aches. My white and red cells are high, I have anemia, I sweat really bad, I get headaches and joints hurt. They said my cortisol is low. I have hallucinations. And my memory is bad. I am just concerned. I gotta get blood work done.

[rumpled]

Agree! I have met thin people with high cortisol. I had many symptoms with my high cortisol that were in the lower percentile - e.g. no blood sugar, cholesterol or blood pressure issues. I did not gain for years. So I try to say *typical* instead of *always*... there are norms but people certainly do not fit into the boxes. I know I did not.

I don't have as much experience with un-diagnosed low cortisol people as I have only met post-diagnosed people for the most part. I know post-diagnosis, weight is an issue with replacements. But thyroid issues can play a part if you have them for sure. However oddly doctors think that is not a factor... :(

[Buckupnow]

I make no cortisol and have gained 50lbs with adrenal insifficiency and hypothyroidism.  There is no "one size fits all".