Anyone ever heard of a medication Metyropone? and a test? - Addison's Disease Message Board

mngirl · 02-24-2005, 10:19 AM

My endo is going to try to find some of this medication (I guess it is rare?) and then I have to stop taking my prednisone for 24 hours. Then at midnight I need to take this medication and then come in at 8 am to have a blood test. I asked her what the test was called, she said there really wasn't one. I asked her what they hoped to learn and she said that the medication should affect my adrenal glands in a fashion which should tell them whether or not my adrenal glands are working.

Anyone ever heard of this or had it done? Can someone explain exactly what the test is testing?

I have to do this until they find the medication.

Thanks!
Lisa

mngirl · 02-24-2005, 10:34 AM

Here is the only thing I found about it:

Metyropone blocks the synthesis of cortisol, and as a result there is build up of cortisol precursors, which can be measured.

BTW, it is metyrapone instead.

Thanks.

mngirl · 02-24-2005, 05:40 PM

Can you tell me why you think that about Metyropone? Why is it used so rarely?

Do you know if this test is something like I already had done? Is it like the cosytropin test?

I was only able to talk with his nurse this morning and I am not sure that she truely knew what it was about since she didn't know what the medication was or what it specifically did to give test results.

He is using this test to help him decide on whether the diagnosis of Addison's is correct given the cosytropin test stated so, but the additional tests came out normal.

Unfortuantely I don't get a lot of the stuff I am reading online, since a lot of it is in medical studies, etc.

I would just like any feedback as to why this test is not worth doing.

THANKS.
Lisa

mngirl · 02-24-2005, 05:56 PM

Now I am REALLY concerned. While looking for info on this medication I came across this:

Not to be used in:
Insufficient production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency)

AND THIS....NOTE: This test can drive a patient into adrenal crisis!!!

So if this is what he thinks I may have, why would he give this medication to me????

~Lisa

mngirl · 02-24-2005, 07:06 PM

I even found an article written by JAMA that this test should be done in the hospital due to the danger that it could cause a crisis.

This should be an interesting converstaion with the drs office.

~Lisa