I was diagnosed with adrenal insuffiency about 20 mos. ago...have been on 20 mg. of cortef a day since then. I also have experienced severe hypoglycemia at times. (5 hr. test dropped sugar level to 28)... Since the hypoglycemia test, I have avoid sugar...on orders from my endo. Dr. But, my sugar levels drop at times, and I am not aware of it happening until sugar is in 60's or much lower ---44 last time. I do not understand the relationship of sodium & potassium???? I do feel better when I have "salt"...chips are my way of obtaining extra salt. The endo. tried to wean me off of cortef last Jan...but my ACTH level fell from 30 (which was great!!) to 13... and I felt lousey.. He said he would try weaning me off cortef again in May... BUT, I still don't understand this test??? And why??? Can anyone explain it??

Thanks for any help!!

Sage

Sage
I am new here and don't know your history, so sorry if this question seems redundant but, how were you diagnosed with AI, and why is your endo trying to wean you off of the Cortef?
I can understand why he is testing your sodium and potassium. With AI, one of the tell-tale signs of your adrenals not producing aldosterone is your body's inability to absorb sodium, thus having low sodium, high potassium. Most people with primary Addisons need to be on Florinef as well as the Prednisone/Cortisone for this very reason. But I am confused as to why he is trying to wean you off. Does he think he made an error in diagnosing you, or does he think the meds are not working?

And your blood sugars dropping, are you diabetic? I am wondering if you are not getting enough Cortef, if your blood sugars are dropping so dramatically! Cortisol helps regulate the cells use of insulin, so a lack of cortisol usually means there is little to no 'regulating mechanism' which keeps the cells from going hog wild and using up all the insulin and glucose, thus dropping blood sugar levels. I find you story fascinating. I hope you are feeling well soon!

Thanks for the reply Making..
My endo diagnosed my with AI..after he diag. me with hypoglycemia..I had been going through a lot of stuff... I was admitted to the hospital with a supposed heart attack..(trophyn level was 69)..tests came out ok...supposedly had afib...but then after a year it went to SVT (tacacardia..)..but...I was really having hypoglycemia...majorly..nobody checked my sugar levels...no, I do not have diabeties.. Endo. Dr. did acth test...said I had AI....& hypoglycemia (29 on 5 hr. test, scary.)...He put me on 20 mg. of cortef a day..and things got a lot better. He had me on cortef for 1 year....and said he wanted to wean me..because sometimes the adrenals recover.. and I seemed to be ok...some problems with tacacardia/hypoglycemia etc... but got sick..and cortisal level dropped from 30 to teens... so back on 20 meg. a day. Now he says my estrogen level is 7...should be 30...just posted a question on this... I am wondering if maybe there is something wrong with my pituatuary gland???
This is all scary for me too...and I've been dealing with it for over 3yrs. now..

Sage