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Author Topic: Another Day Another Test  (Read 5333 times)

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Offline AndyArrow

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,197
Another Day Another Test
« on: April 28, 2009, 06:19:45 pm »
I just found out my cortisol level was low.  I just a voicemail so I don't exactly know how low.

Too be honest, until I had this blood test done I didn't know I even had a cortisol level.  ::)  So, I have no idea what is considered low.

Now, I'm set to have an ACTH stimulation test.  I've looked it up and it sounds pretty routine but I wondered if anyone else has experienced this. 

Thanks!
AA
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It is not the arrival that matters.  It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne

Offline aztecan

  • Member
  • Posts: 5,530
  • 36 years positive, 64 years a pain in the butt
Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2009, 06:39:09 pm »
Hey Andy,

Those are both new ones for me!   ???

You'll have to fill us in when you find out more.

HUGS,

Marik
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"May your life preach more loudly than your lips."
~ William Ellery Channing (Unitarian Minister)

Offline BT65

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Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #2 on: April 28, 2009, 07:01:47 pm »
Hey Andy,

I've heard of Cortisol, but I can't remember when or exactly what it is.  Isn't it like a hormone, like your thyroid or something?  Anyway, I'll be waiting to hear (in other words, please let us know what's going on). :-*
  Luv,
Betty

Edited to add:  Found it!  Yeah, it's the stress hormone.

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cortisol-14668
« Last Edit: April 28, 2009, 07:04:23 pm by BT65 »
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Offline rondrond

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,729
  • 22 years HIV+ yet a yard could be the death of me
Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2009, 02:01:19 am »
Andy,

Leave it to you to increase our knowledge of the body and it's mysteries. I never heard of Cortisol either. After reading the article:  it seems to be pretty important.

Good luck on your test.
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"I'm not done yet"....Glen Campbell

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Diagnosed/HIV
1993
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Crixivan/Epivir/Zerit
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04jul07/DVT-right leg/Bi Lateral PE's     
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Offline AndyArrow

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  • Posts: 1,197
Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2009, 10:56:35 am »
Leave it to me to find something weird.   

I'll have the test tomorrow afternoon (30 May) and will give everyone an update when I know anything else.

Hugs,
AA
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It is not the arrival that matters.  It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne

Offline AndyArrow

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Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2009, 12:29:00 am »
So, I went for big test on the 30th and saw my doctor's nurse coordinator before I went in area where they do the testing.  She confirmed that my gastric emptying test (where you eat radiated eggs and they take pictures) was abnormal.  The ACTH test would determine if there was something wrong with my adrenal gland (that produces cortisol) and this would explain why it took so long for the food to go through my stomach.

The test is pretty straight forward.  They take some blood to get a baseline level for cortisol and then inject you with ACTH and check your levels on the 1/2 hour and hour.  Simple right?!   NOPE!  Nurse #1 tells me I have lovely veins.  I explain that while they look good they move and she should use the vein in the middle of my arm that you can't see but you can feel.  After 2 unsuccessful attempts in locations other than were I told her to try she gives up and call in Nurse #2.  I repeat my story but of course she's the nurse and knows better.  After she tries twice and fails both times to draw blood it's time for Nurse #3.  With now 4 band aids on my arms and still no IV, Nurse #3 is told she has no choice but to in certain the not so little needle where I tell her.  What a surprise ... blood!  I was right all along!  :o >:( 

Now a couple of days later and several very LARGE bruises the results are in ... and good news!  Well, sort of.  There is nothing wrong with my adrenal gland!!!  Now, the question remains whats wrong with my stomach.  At this point they don't know.  I'll see the doc again in June and hopefully they'll have some ideas then.  If they tell me I have to go for another blood test I think I'll draw my own!

Ugh!
AA
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It is not the arrival that matters.  It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne

Offline bear60

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  • Posts: 4,105
Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2009, 10:39:35 am »
Andy
Sorry about the bruises.  I feel for you. But hey.....sounds like positive news in regard to the test.
Hope you find out whats going on with the tummy.


Joel
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Poz Bear Type in Philadelphia

Offline BT65

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  • Member
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Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2009, 08:27:14 pm »
Andy, I get very irritated with medical people who think they know better than the patient in regards to where to draw blood.  I have actually asked phlebotomists if I could "do it."  Anyway, good news on the adrenal.  Now I hope they find out what's going on with the stomach.  Keep us updated.
 Luv,
Betty
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I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Condom and Lube Info https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/safer-sex
Please check out our lessons on PEP and PrEP. https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/pep-prep

https://www.poz.com/basics/hiv-basics/treatmentasprevention-tasp

Offline AndyArrow

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,197
Re: Another Day Another Test
« Reply #8 on: May 04, 2009, 01:08:12 am »
Thanks!

Two bruises arent' bad looking at all ... smaller than a dime.  The other two look NASTY -- Blue/Black/Purple and you can see the vein leading up to it and away from it!  But neither hurts so I'll stop complaining.

I really don't know what I'll find out when I see the doc in June but if for right now my biggest complaint is more flatulence than normal and LOTS of belching things are pretty good.

Even more good news when I got the results of my regular labs.  After being down to 147 3 months ago I'm not back up to 314!!!  I could get used to receiving good news when I go to the doctor.  The ID doc wants to see me again in 3 months but if things are good he wants to consider pushing out the time in between visits!!!

Hugs & Kisses to everyone since I'm in such a good mood!!!  :-*
AA
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It is not the arrival that matters.  It is the journey along the way. -- Michel Montaigne
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