misdiagnosed addisons - Addison's Disease Message Board

kaci1234 · 10-15-2002, 04:27 PM

All my symptoms mimic addisons disease exactly, especially the dark pigmentation, and weight. I asked to see endocrinologist, but my doctor wouldn't refer me. She did a blood test in the surgery,apparently for addisons, and it came back negative. I have heard there is a more specific test that can be done.

Is there a possibility the first test could be wrong or you can have the disease without anything showing up in the blood test, (or the stimulation, specific test). Iam desperately ill, so would appreciate any responces.

I have also thought if i have addisons symptoms, but disease not showing up, could it be something wrong with my pituitary, thats messing me and test results up? Thankyou.

Cannn · 10-15-2002, 10:08 PM

I don't know about what the tests that are out there for Addison's are exactly, BUT, I'm pretty sure that if it was Secondary Addison's - the kind caused by a pituitary problem - you wouldn't have the dark pigmentation symptom.

orion · 10-16-2002, 12:38 AM

What test exactly did your doctor do? If you don't know, phone them and find out. So as far as I know there is no immediate blood test you can do to diagnose Addisons. You need to have a provocative test done by injecting ATCH to stimulate your adrenal glands and then detect the lack of cortisol produced. That isn't something a normal doctor would do during surgery.

My guess is you need a new doctor.

kaci1234 · 10-16-2002, 01:46 AM

Thank you for replying.

I have asked what the test was for, but i could not get her to tell me. So I got a copy of my results - which at first they refused to give me. When I got my result sheet it just had a load of numbers on it, so I don't know what it means. I saw that cortisol was written on it though. It does not say 'normal' or anything on the sheet. But I doubt my doctor because I sat there weighing barely 6 stone, and she said there was nothing wrong, and told me 2 go home and take 2 paracetomol. I argued with her over this, and after 10 mins she laughed and said, 'no your weight is not normal' - but thats as far as it gets. I moved to her, because my previous doctor had a similar attitude, and when saying about the pigmentation, he said I was dirty and to go home and have a wash.

Should I insist on this other test you mentioned?

kaci

orion · 10-16-2002, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kaci1234:
Thank you for replying.

When I got my result sheet it just had a load of numbers on it, so I don't know what it means. I saw that cortisol was written on it though.

kaci

The sheet must have words or letters followed by numbers like:

ast 15 IU/L

esr 5 MM/HR

or is it a list of numbers with headings? Otherwise it would also be meaningless to doctors too. So either your doctor has only given you part of the results or you have left something out.

First, remember your doctor works for you.....not the other way around! If you went to have your car repaired and they told you they didn't know what they did or what parts they fixed but pay $500 anyway, you wouldn't pay until they explained themselves. Similarly, your doctor owes you an explanation of what she is doing and why. This is your life and you are entitled to INFORMED care. As far as I know there is NO single blood test that can show Addisons disease. If you are concerned, insist on seeing an endocrinologist if for no other reason than to ease your mind.

Phone the doctor's nurse and ask what the name of the test is and why its not on the paper they gave you.

[This message has been edited by orion (edited 10-17-2002).]