Recently Answered Questions
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In what conditions can a person have cyclical Cushing's syndrome?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 21 years now. I weigh 60 kg and was diagnosed with cyclical Cushing's syndrome at the age of 20. I had an MRI scan for a pituitary tumor in my brain. But, the clinical findings did not match up. I went to a top end endocrinologist who is a professor in endocrinology. I have beard ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. No, there is no other pituitary in the brain and sometimes urinary test fails to detect hormones. In cyclical Cushing's, the cortisol levels fluctuate over time, making the diagnosis even more difficult. The source of ectopic hormone production should be... Read Full »
I am experiencing uncontrollable crying and weight gain. How to control the symptoms?
Query: Hi doctor,While looking for diverticulitis, my CAT scan showed a 1.4-centimeter nodule on my adrenal gland. What should I do to control the symptoms of uncontrollable crying and weight gain? Could I take any herbal remedies? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. You could be suffering from an excess of cortisol secretion from the weight gain and the fact that you have an adrenal nodule. Although just two symptoms are not much to go by, Cushing syndrome is likely. Please tell me if you have other sym... Read Full »
Do high cortisol and insulin levels indicate insulinoma?
Query: Hello doctor,I have always had issues with fasting hypoglycemia (not diabetic). I recently had blood work done which also showed abnormally high cortisol and insulin levels. Any ideas on what could cause these things together? Sudden weight gain about a year ago of 15 lbs. Already healthy person. I ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. What about random and post-prandial blood sugar levels? Cortisol and insulin have opposing actions. Cortisol and growth hormones could be elevated as a compensatory mechanism to counter insulin release. We need to rule out insulinoma. It is a rare tumor of the pancr... Read Full »
Should I use Progesterone cream for elevated estradiol values?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 50-year-old female in good health. I am not on any medication, and I eat well. 5'4" 140 pounds. I have an irregular period, fatigue, cyclical migraine headaches, anxiety, panic attacks, and dry eyes. My basal temperature does not indicate ovulation, and the blood report came bac... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Three things are important in your case- 1) High cortisol. 2) High estradiol. 3) Low vitamin D. The most common cause of high-level cortisol is Cushing syndrome (pituitary adenoma) and stress. Treatment- MRI to rule out pituitary adenoma. Release your stress with t... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor,I am suffering from hypercortisolism and my morning cortisol level is high. I am taking oral medicine for cortisol levels and the tablet Mirtazapine. The doctor says that the Dexamethasone suppression test is worthwhile, but I am worried the results would not be accurate due to the medi... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have read your concern in detail and will surely help you out. Yes, the medicines that alter cortisol levels can cause abnormal results of the Dexamethasone suppression test. The best way to make the test stand true to its value is to stop these medications for thr... Read Full »
My cortisol levels are high, and I have gained weight. What could be the reason?
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 norm... Read Full »
Answer: 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 t... Read Full »
What can be done for my daughter's pernicious anemia?
Query: Hello doctor, I hope you will be able to help me with my daughter's health. The summary of her health is as follows: She was born prematurely at 25 weeks. She had to undergo PDA surgery soon after. She had Hashimoto's hypothyroidism when she was 8 years of age. She had urticaria and angioedema for m... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I just read your query and the medical history of your daughter. I have seen the detailed reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) as well. Let me answer each one of your questions. Her raised cortisol is likely to be due to exogenous steroids use, ... Read Full »
I have elevated testosterone and cortisol levels. Should I be concerned?
Query: Hello doctor, I am a 35-year-old male. I have an elevated testosterone and cortisol levels. My testosterone reading is 50 nmol/L, three months ago it was 37.5 nmol/L. Should I be concerned? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I just read your query, and from what you have mentioned, it appears that your testosterone levels are normal and that the high cortisol could be because of stress and does not appear to be pathological. You can recheck the cortisol early in the morning. Avoid alcoho... Read Full »
Query: Hello doctor, A patient suffers from the following symptoms; -Worsening fatigue, muscle weakness, malaise, for the past three months, though it was present to a smaller extent over several years. -Unintentional 30 lb weight loss over one year. - Headaches over the past month. -Tremors, eye flas... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query, and I can understand your concern. The symptoms do have some elements suggestive of Adrenal insufficiency. Fatigue, weight loss, poor appetite, orthostatic hypotension are suggestive whereas anxiety, depression, muscle twitches, eye flashes, insomnia,... Read Full »
Is my cortisol levels considerably high for stress?
Query: Hi doctor, I am wondering about my cortisol levels because my last 2 AM cortisol levels were 998 nmol/L and 838 nmol/L (reference range is 125 to 536 nmol/L), and PM (Post meridiem) cortisol level was 371 nmol/L (reference range 50 to 300 nmol/L). My 24-hour urine-free cortisol was in the normal ran... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Some of the symptoms of hypercortisolism can overlap with neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, stress, and obesity. The laboratories can also be misleading. Having said that, if you have symptoms and strong clinical suspicion, we should proceed with more ... Read Full »