Dr. Mukherjee Koushik
General Practitioner
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I took a serum cortisol test four years ago, and it was very low. I had low blood pressure, and the doctors said it was addison's disease, so I took a tablet of Hostacortin medication for two weeks or more and felt better, and I had more tests. Finally, the serum cortisol levels were normal, and I took the tablet Hostacortin when I was tired, with low blood pressure and fatigue over the last three years.
I got married five months ago, and I used to take the tablet Gynera. I took it for two months, then stopped for a month. Then, I retook it for two months but gained 15 kilos during these five months. I was on a diet before marriage, and now I have gained a lot. I have done TSH tests, T3 and T4. The TSH levels were high, and T3 and T4 levels were normal, but the cortisol level was high. What could be the reason? And what should I do?
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
The involvement of the adrenal glands causes Addison's disease. It Is also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is a type of adrenal insufficiency that occurs due to a different mechanism. It could be due to the involvement of the pituitary gland, which is known as our body's master gland because it controls secretion from many glands. Do you have a history of head injuries? As a result of pituitary gland involvement, secondary adrenal insufficiency often includes hypothyroidism. Your reports are suggestive of hypothyroidism. As a result, you must take Levothyroxine (Synthroid) supplements along with hydrocortisone (Cortef). In addition, I recommend a paired ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), cortisol test, and a brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to rule out pituitary gland pathology.
Investigations to be done
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General Practitioner
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