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What Causes Elevated Cortisol Levels?
Question: Had regular blood work done and got a call my cortisol was high...was an early fasting AM test. Never have
I ever had one or knew I had one. I am 62 and have a mass (benign) on my thyroid but blood work never showed it dysfunctional. I recently had two steriod epidurals (in the last 2 months) for back issues, could this be a reason for it to be high? I also recently found a small pea size know in the flank of my back and waiting for a CT scan. It appears to be in the muscle. I am very concerned and frightened. What tests can be done or redone. Is any of the other ailments related?
I ever had one or knew I had one. I am 62 and have a mass (benign) on my thyroid but blood work never showed it dysfunctional. I recently had two steriod epidurals (in the last 2 months) for back issues, could this be a reason for it to be high? I also recently found a small pea size know in the flank of my back and waiting for a CT scan. It appears to be in the muscle. I am very concerned and frightened. What tests can be done or redone. Is any of the other ailments related?
Brief Answer:
Cortisol
Detailed Answer:
I understand your concern over these tests.
1 A high morning cortisol will require further testing to see if there is a real problem.
If the epidurals you received contained Hydrocortisone, and your blood test was done the next day then it can raise the blood cortisol levels.
2 There is likely a typo in your note '.......pea size know....'
Were you trying to say 'lump' instead?
3 I see your thyroid mass has been evaluated. It appears your TSH blood test is normal. You must have undergone an ultrasound for the thyroid too, havent you?
Cortisol
Detailed Answer:
I understand your concern over these tests.
1 A high morning cortisol will require further testing to see if there is a real problem.
If the epidurals you received contained Hydrocortisone, and your blood test was done the next day then it can raise the blood cortisol levels.
2 There is likely a typo in your note '.......pea size know....'
Were you trying to say 'lump' instead?
3 I see your thyroid mass has been evaluated. It appears your TSH blood test is normal. You must have undergone an ultrasound for the thyroid too, havent you?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I said I had the epidurals in the "last 2 months" so of course blood work was not done the next day. Blood work was done recently....epidurals 2 months so obviously not related? Yes, typo. "pea sized knot" in the lower back flank area.
Could thyroid and knot in my lower back have anything to do with the cortisol being high? Please answer my question on that and what tests can be done to see if any of my other issues are related.
Could thyroid and knot in my lower back have anything to do with the cortisol being high? Please answer my question on that and what tests can be done to see if any of my other issues are related.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
1 So I see the epidurals were not immediately followed by cortisol blood test.
Well you need further tests to rule out a condition of cortisol excess called Cushing's syndrome.
There are several ways to go about doing this but I prefer the Midnight Saliva cortisol test.
I suggest you undergo this evaluation under the direct care of an endocrinologist in person because tests to detect this condition require experience in performing and interpreting them
2 It is quite unlikely that the thyroid and knot in lower back have any thing to do with the cortisol being high.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
1 So I see the epidurals were not immediately followed by cortisol blood test.
Well you need further tests to rule out a condition of cortisol excess called Cushing's syndrome.
There are several ways to go about doing this but I prefer the Midnight Saliva cortisol test.
I suggest you undergo this evaluation under the direct care of an endocrinologist in person because tests to detect this condition require experience in performing and interpreting them
2 It is quite unlikely that the thyroid and knot in lower back have any thing to do with the cortisol being high.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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