How is Adrenal Insufficiency diagnosed?

Bloodwork for low cortisol

Initially it will depend on symptoms which will direct the Doctor to do basic blood tests, blood pressures and ask pertinent questions This will lead to a Short Synacthen Test, which could reveal your steroid levels as being too low. An Endocrinologist will study your case and you will attend a clinic where you will be tested again and a treatment formed depending on the results. This is a life threatening problem that will need careful management and regular reviews.

AM Cortisol and baseline ACTH are used to determine adrenal insufficiency. More testing will be required to determine whether the condition is primary, secondary or tertiery and possibly the cause

Most have an 8am morning cortisol with acth measured. Followed by am ACTH stim test to help determine whether the issue could be primary or secondary Adrenal Insufficiency. It helps determine if the adrenal glands can still make sufficient cortisol when stimulated to tell if the issue is from ACTH not being sent or the glands themselves. Sodium, potassium, comprehensive metabolic panels, renin, 21-hydroxylase antibody, and DHEA should also be ran with a scan of the adrenals id primary AI is indicative during scan. If it indicates secondary AI, the. All pituitary functions should be tested. Sex hormones, prolactin, igh-1, gh, fsh, lh, testosterone, Estridol, vasopressin, TSH, T4 free, T3, free, tpo antibodies, etc. Pituitary protocol scan should be conducted along with general brain scan. Thyroid scan, if indicated by thyroid panels. Parathyroid scan if indicated by low calcium on metabolic panels.