Dexamethasone Suppression test- what is it for?

Just_Jenn · 01-07-2007, 09:56 PM

Pretty self explanatory really...what is this test for and did your GP perform one?

Any input greatly appreciated!

SianCat · 01-07-2007, 11:32 PM

is this the one where you take the dexamethasone at night and then get blood drawn in the morning for cortisol? If yes then I had this test for cushing's disease. the pill to suppress the hormone production of ACTH in your pituitary that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol. if there is a certain level of cortisol in your blood it possibly means there is a benign, hormone secreting tumor elsewhere in your body causing the high cortisol.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/003694.htm

Just_Jenn · 01-08-2007, 08:49 AM

Yeah, that's the test. Eek, my Endocrinologist never told me he was testing me for cushing's though! I'm not even completely sure what it is *toodles off to NHS Direct website*

Thanks for your help!

SianCat · 01-08-2007, 09:47 PM

yeah funny, my endocrinologist never told me either what any of these tests were for until I got the results in a letter. It said "based on your most rescent results, you do not have Cushing's disease, this is very good news. Now in regards to managing pcos...." Trusty internet. Let us know how your tests go. Best wishes.

~copacabana~ · 01-09-2007, 03:36 AM

Does it say what amount of dexamethasone? Was it 1mg? This is a test for Cushing's, however if you are still questioning your symptoms, it would be good to do a few other tests, such as a 24UFC, serum cortisol, ACTH, because the dex isn't a perfect test, and some with Cushing's have normal test results. If you want more info, feel free to message me or go to www.cushings-help.com . I have Cushing's, so I'm not sure if I really have PCOS or not, but until my tumor is removed, we really won't know for sure. It is possible to have both though. I hope this helps

SianCat · 01-09-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~copacabana~

Does it say what amount of dexamethasone? Was it 1mg? This is a test for Cushing's, however if you are still questioning your symptoms, it would be good to do a few other tests, such as a 24UFC, serum cortisol, ACTH, because the dex isn't a perfect test, and some with Cushing's have normal test results. If you want more info, feel free to message me or go to www.cushings-help.com . I have Cushing's, so I'm not sure if I really have PCOS or not, but until my tumor is removed, we really won't know for sure. It is possible to have both though. I hope this helps

hi copacabana,
I hope your recovery from this goes well and i also hope it turns out as you recover that you do not have pcos.
what other tests other than the mri did you have and how soon did you notice the symptoms of cushing's? i am curious because i have high am and pm cortisol with little variation and still do not know what is causing it. i had many tests for cushing's including an utrasound of my kidneys and adrenal gland, repeat serum cortisol, urgent mri of the pituitary. i had many other hormone tests as well which revealed high testosterone and slightly elevated prolactin, but the final tests were a 24- hr urinary cortisol test, followed by a request for me to have the low-dose dexamethasone test. I am also curious because I imaginge having high cortisol is not a good thing, so is this imabalance going to be restored as I take care of my pcos symptoms?

~copacabana~ · 01-10-2007, 02:35 AM

Hi! It's sounds like to me you need more testing. Cushing's is SO SO hard to catch, and many are misdiagnosed with PCOS, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and so on. Was the MRI of your pituitary a dynamic one? Were there any cysts on your adrenals? Okay, a lot of questions, but are you diabetic or IR? Well, I first notived MAJOR hormonal changes in first grade. They diagnosed me with Precocious Puberty, however I had a normal onset of menarche at age 13. However, my weight was mostly in the trunk, which is the stomach, chest and upper back. My numbers aren't enough to diagnose me just yet, because they only think it affects 2 people per million per year. Well, for a Cushing's patient, the average amount of time it takes to get diagnosed it 15 years. It's a very bizarre thing, and most doctors will never see a patient with it. However, I believe and so do others with Cushing's that it is more common, just underdiagnosed. So, I have done a couple UFC's, however the Endo's I have seen have blamed my weight for everything. However, I have red and purple stretch marks all over my body, and this is consistent with Cushing's. I did a midnight saliva which showed dangerously low levels of cortisol, which is adrenal insufficiency(AI). This is because I either have WAY too much or NOT enough, it never evens out properly. With your high am and pm cortisol, it sounds like you lack diurnal variation. Most people with Cushing's have a messed up variation, and also have an abnormal circadian rhythm. The symptoms I have are massive weight gain in the past 3 years, over 90 pounds, severe fatigue, bufallo hump, excess sweating, stretch marks, weak muscles, frequent urination at night, IBS, inability to sleep at night... Most people get their cortisol surge early in the morning, this is what keeps people going throughout the day, however those with Cushing's surge at the wrong times, like I do in the evenings, which makes having a normal sleep schedule impossible. I know this is all over the place, there are so many aspects to this. If you need to send me an e mail or PM with your symptoms, please do so. I also have pictures of me on www.cushings-help.com Look under ~nicole~ for my photos, and you can see the "look" of Cushing's. Yes, PCOS can "look" like that, but Cushing's causes a moon face, which is what you can see in some of my pictures. Also, if you have the numbers and the dictation of the MRI and the cortisol levels, I can try to help you understand them, and compare them to what a normal persons should be. Do you have a family history of a pituitary disorder or adrenal disorder? Kidney failure or cancer? I hope this helps somewhat, and don't hesitate to ask more