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Short Synacthen Test

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Matt Cycle

Matt Cycle

Well-Known Member
Relationship to Diabetes
Type 1
After my clinic visit on Tuesday they've sent my blood test results through. My HbA1c has dropped back to 49 (6.6%) from 52 in December so I'm pleased about that. 🙂 The rest seems pretty normal.

They have also asked me to go for a short synacthen test, er what's that was my initial reaction. o_O After looking it up it seems it's an adrenal insufficiency test. Anyone else had it, is it a common test?
 
Hi Matt, I had the test as part of my diagnoses for Addison's disease, so obviously your cortisol was tested and found to be low. Do you have more hypos than normal or feel fatigued and hypos hard to treat?
Make sure the test is done as early in the morning as possible other wise it's a waste of time.
 
Matt Cycle said:
They have also asked me to go for a short synacthen test, er what's that was my initial reaction. o_O After looking it up it seems it's an adrenal insufficiency test. Anyone else had it, is it a common test?
Click to expand...
Yes,I have and no, I don't think it's all that common. If you have it, you'll be in excellent company. JFK and Jane Austen for two. But I hope you don't

I had 'acquired' Addison's as a result of huge doses of cortisone taken over many years for various medical purposes. The test was administered several times over the years - they couldn't make up their minds if I had Addison's, an adrenal insufficiency or nowt wrong. They eventually decided on Addison's. I was taken off all the steroids a few years ago and my Adrenal glands eventually recovered.
 
Hi Sue, have a few hypos but they are treatable and I don't really feel fatigued at all. The clinic visit was my first one after asking the surgery for a referral to consider a pump. I mentioned hypos and lack of awareness but I wonder if they are just considering everything and trying to rule things out? My BMI is on the lower side (19.4) but it's been that sort of level all my adult life but they mentioned coeliacs in spite of the surgery testing for it and it coming back negative. Anyway they tested this time and it was negative, again.

I saw that about doing the test early and my appointment is at....................2pm. 🙄

Hi Alison, yes I'm hoping it's nothing.
 
Matt Cycle said:
I saw that about doing the test early and my appointment is at....................2pm.
Click to expand...
Then give them a ring and tell them the test needs to be done first thing. The test takes about an hour and some people do feel a tad unwell afterwards so make sure you set a couple of hours free.
 
They wanted me to have Synacthen test based on the fact that I test positive for antibodies to adrenal, but I refused it because my Cortisol levels are normal and it could be problematic with my ME. But yes, absolutely no point having it unless you can be there first thing in the morning (that was one of the reasons I didn't, because I couldn't) so do ask them to change the time.

Er - do you eat wheat? If not I believe the Coeliac test will always come back negative whether you have it or not.
 
TheClockworkDodo said:
They wanted me to have Synacthen test based on the fact that I test positive for antibodies to adrenal, but I refused it because my Cortisol levels are normal and it could be problematic with my ME. But yes, absolutely no point having it unless you can be there first thing in the morning (that was one of the reasons I didn't, because I couldn't) so do ask them to change the time.

Er - do you eat wheat? If not I believe the Coeliac test will always come back negative whether you have it or not.
Click to expand...

There's a number on the letter to call the Endocrine Dept if you have any queries. I'll have a word with them.

Yes, I do eat wheat so I suppose that confirms the negative coeliacs result.
 
I've had that test a number of times, nowt to do with diabetes as it happens, adrenal insufficiency is part of my other condition and they do seem quite determined I will have it, I do have odd levels in blood tests fairly often but the longer test always comes up normal (well on the edge of normal hence the number of tests). It always makes me feel very peculiar for around an hour afterwards, generally palpitations, lightheaded, and quite hot, so make sure you find somewhere you can sit for a little while if you need to before starting the journey home. Probably best to avoid the coffee afterwards though, I discovered the first time that caffeine didn't help with the palpitations 😱
 
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