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Hello, My Whole Life I've Gained Weight Very Easily And
Question: Hello, my whole life I've gained weight very easily and struggle to lose it, have fatigue, tremors, irritability, weather sensitivity, anxiety mostly.
At first I thought it could be hypothyroid or Cushing's, but I took a 24 hour cortisol saliva test and my saliva tests showed that my cortisol levels were on lower part of the normal range, and my morning saliva was in the low range. My DHEA was normal range.
Last month I took a comprehensive thyroid test and my numbers were all normal, though some numbers were on the lower end of normal like T3 Uptake, T4 Free, and TSH.
At first I thought it could be hypothyroid or Cushing's, but I took a 24 hour cortisol saliva test and my saliva tests showed that my cortisol levels were on lower part of the normal range, and my morning saliva was in the low range. My DHEA was normal range.
Last month I took a comprehensive thyroid test and my numbers were all normal, though some numbers were on the lower end of normal like T3 Uptake, T4 Free, and TSH.
Brief Answer:
Addison's disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your query and your attached reports.
I can understand your concern.
Your test results show low and borderline-low levels of cortisol in your blood and in your saliva.
Lower than normal cortisol levels may indicate that you have Addison's disease or hypopituitarism.
Addison's disease occurs when the production of cortisol by your adrenal glands is too low.
In Hypopituitarism the production of cortisol by your adrenal glands is too low because the pituitary gland is not sending proper signals.
Weakness and fatigue, irritability, weather sensitivity, and weight gain can be symptoms of low cortisol in your body.
To confirm the diagnosis apart cortisol levels it is necessary to measure even your blood levels of sodium, potassium, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Sometimes an ACTH stimulation test may be necessary to clarify the situation.
Apart from blood tests, I suggest doing even a CT scan of your abdomen to check the size of your adrenal glands and look for other abnormalities.
You may also undergo an MRI scan of your pituitary gland if testing indicates you might have secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wish you good health.
Addison's disease
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your query and your attached reports.
I can understand your concern.
Your test results show low and borderline-low levels of cortisol in your blood and in your saliva.
Lower than normal cortisol levels may indicate that you have Addison's disease or hypopituitarism.
Addison's disease occurs when the production of cortisol by your adrenal glands is too low.
In Hypopituitarism the production of cortisol by your adrenal glands is too low because the pituitary gland is not sending proper signals.
Weakness and fatigue, irritability, weather sensitivity, and weight gain can be symptoms of low cortisol in your body.
To confirm the diagnosis apart cortisol levels it is necessary to measure even your blood levels of sodium, potassium, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).
Sometimes an ACTH stimulation test may be necessary to clarify the situation.
Apart from blood tests, I suggest doing even a CT scan of your abdomen to check the size of your adrenal glands and look for other abnormalities.
You may also undergo an MRI scan of your pituitary gland if testing indicates you might have secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Wish you good health.
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. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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