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Re: PCOS or Cushings?From: Zowie (anonymous@obgyn.net)Wed, 28 Mar 2001 18:48:28 -0600 (CST)
Hello again :) I have some medical books here that I've been flipping through to get some info. There are apparently a LOT of tests that can be done to test for Cushings--the 24 hr. urine one is common (although sounds like a PAIN), as is the Dexamethasone pill test---that's what I was supposed to have done. You take these 2 pills with a meal at night, and go to the lab the next morning for blood work. To explain before I continue: The hypothalamus is part of your brain that makes a hormone called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone), which casues the pituitary gland (also in the brain) to release adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which causes the adrenal glands to make cortisol. When they check your cortisol levels--if your cortisol levels are LOW--you are fine. This means (and I'm typing per my medical book) "the dexamethasone will, through negative feedback, cause the hypothalamus to produce less CRH, the pituitary gland to produce less ACTH, and the adrenal glands to produce less cortisol." If they are HIGH, that is an indication of Cushings--"if you have Cushings syndrome caused by a tumor (in the pituitary gland or in another organ such as the lung) that is making ACTH, the tumor will continue to make ACTH. In the morning, your blood levels of ACTH and cortisol will be high because the tumors doe not respond to the negative feedback of dexamethasone; they continue to make ACTH". Ok, now if that confused you, I'll explain. Ok, the positive and negative feedback--the higher the level of a substance in the blood, the more the production of a hormone is turned ON--positive feedback. The higher the level of a substance in the blood, the more the production of a hormone is turned OFF is negative feedback. So ON is positive, OFF is negative. That's at least the test I'm supposed to have taken, but there are MANY they can choose from. If it sounds easier, ask for it. I'd hate to have to "collect" my urine for a 24 hr period! Good luck, and I'll keep you posted on me. :)
-- -- Zowie :)
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