MEDICAL MATTERS

  • Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
  • Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
  • Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
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Questions in the Category: Synacthen stimulation test

Test: Synacthen

ME Essential Spring 2023

A blood test has shown that I have a low level of the hormone cortisol. As a result I am now being referred to hospital to have a synacthen test to assess my adrenal gland function. As this test involves the use of a drug that stimulates steroid production is it likely to cause any problems for someone with ME/CFS? Or could the use of a steroid be a way of treating ME/CFS?

Addison's Disease

ME Essential Summer 2020

I was interested to see the item on Addison’s disease in the Winter issue of ME Essential as I have a close friend with this rare disease and it obviously has some interesting symptom overlaps with ME/CFS. So is there any evidence that adrenal gland failure, and steroid hormone production, could also be involved in ME/CFS? If so, would it be worth looking at steroids as a possible form of treatment for ME/CFS?

Charles Shepherd

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