Question: My last ACTH was normal at 19.6 and I was taken off cortisone. I had severe adrenal insufficiency and was put back on small doses of cortisone for two months. It has now been almost a year and I suffer symptoms such as generalized pain/aches/soreness, loss of appetite, lack of energy, etc. My understanding… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Doctor’s Answers
Why is Replacement Steroid Needed After Successful Surgery?
Question: Why does a patient who has been overproducing steroids due to Cushing’s need to take steroids following curative surgery? Answer: When a patient has been cured of Cushing’s, their normal hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system is not producing any cortisol because the high circulating levels prior to cure have suppressed the normal system. The normal hypothalamic- pituitary… Continue Reading
White Blood Count and Steroid Replacement
Question: I am taking replacement Cortisone following bilateral adrenalectomy. For years now I have had elevated white blood cell count, which my doctors say are steroid related. Why is this and does this mean that I am immunosuppressed? Answer: Steroid replacement above physiologic can be associated with a high white blood cell count, Cortisol and… Continue Reading
When to Use Emergency Steroid Injectables
Question: I recently had an episode of adrenal insufficiency and it is now suggested that I carry an emergency syringe. When exactly should I use the syringe? Answer: In a patient who has adrenal insufficiency, and normally takes steroid replacement, the replacement dose should be increased in the setting of stress (such as fever or… Continue Reading
Twice versus Three Times Daily Hydrocortisone
Question: I am on permanent cortisone and florinef replacement. I have heard that some people take their cortisone 3 times per day rather than twice. Is this beneficial and how would I divide my current dose of 25 mg into three doses? Answer: Patients with primary adrenal insufficiency (disease of the adrenals themselves rather than… Continue Reading
FIND THE RESOURCES YOU NEED AT EVERY STAGE
Connect
Contact Us