My sister's Cortizol level is so low that it does not even show up in blood and urine tests - even though she is taking very high doses twice a day. Does anyone know what could cause her to not retain ANY Cortizol?
Here's an article on the cortisol test your sister had; it also has information links for the conditions which may be responsible.
MEDLINEplus Medical Encyclopedia Medical Encyclopedia Cortisol level
[url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003693.htm[/url]
Jay Tor, thank you for sending this information. I have not read it all yet but I am anxious to get thru it all!! I am so worried about my sister. At this point her doctor has advised her to TRIPLE her dosage to 120 mg in the AM and 60 mg at night! On Tuesday the doctor is going to start giving the Cortisol by injections to see if it helps her to retain any of it. Her doctors do not know why she is not retaining any of the Cortisol - even at very high doses - only a trace at the most will appear in blood and urine tests. She is taking other kinds of medicines for other things and I wonder if one of the other medicines could be interferring with the Cortisol absorbtion or retention - maybe I will find info on that in the information you have provided.
Thank you so very much for taking the time to read my posting and for helping! I am off to read - thanks again!
If your sister is on multiple meds, you should check for drug/drug interactions as well as drug/food interactions. Do a search for 'drug interaction guide' - there are several databases available. IMO, the best drug databases use multum data.
In the meanwhile, check all her meds [OTC and prescription] and vitamins on the MedLinePlus drug database:
[url="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682878.html"]http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682878.html[/url]
Also research any supplements she may be taking, just in case.
[url="http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html"]http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html[/url]
BTW - also do a search for 'grapefruit effect'. There's a compound in grapefruit that is preferentially metabolized by one of the key liver metabolic pathways used to metabolize many meds. If your sister is taking any meds that are metabolized or broken down through this pathway, and if she also consumes grapefruit [juice or fruit], this may compound her problems.
Jay, thanks again! I will find out all of her medicines and check them. Today she got her first injection. If the lab work show that she is retaining cortisol this way, then she will be doing the injections herself. I am guessing that lab tests will be done this week....
Thanks again!
Penny
Low Cortizol Levels 
