Tests For thyroid/adrenal problems??

[SunnySmile501]

I finally had my appointment with the endo that I waited 8 months for, because she is supposed to be the best. It was a very thorough exam and everything went okay except for the "it's calories in calories out" lecture.

My question is about the urine collection tests she has me doing. They gave me two big jugs that have boric acid in them. I am to collect all urine over a 24-hour period. I started by emptying my bladder first thing this morning at 6:00 a.m. and not keeping that void. I write down the date and time on the tag. After that I catch every void in a 'hat' like they use in the hospital, pour it in the jug, which I have to keep in the refrigerator. Tomorrow morning at EXACTLY 6:00 a.m., I have to catch the last void and write down the date/time.

I was told I couldn't drink any caffeine, so I had to quit coffee and my green tea, cold turkey!

Within a few hours of taking the last sample, I have to take this to UVA and have more blood tests done. Already had some at the appointment. UVA is a big deal teaching hospital, but she said that they couldn't process these tests and they have to be shipped (refrigerated) to the Mayo Clinic and it will be at least two weeks before we get results.

Have any of you had tests like this??? What exactly does it test??? She didn't tell me anything but that they would do tests and a nurse on the way out gave me the package and instructions, so I couldn't ask questions.

Sunny!

[hrgillespie]

I have been seeing an endo for 11 years now and have never had this test so I have no information for you BUT I am very curious ............ keep us posted on resutls and anything you find out.


Heidi

[SunnySmile501]

Thanks! I sure will keep you updated.

Sunny!

[SunnySmile501]

This appears to be the test and what it's about. I leave shortly to take my jugs to UVA.

Comprehensive 24-Hour Urinary Steroid Hormone Panels

COMPREHENSIVE PANEL OF TESTS

• Adrenal Hormones
  • Precursor: PREGNENOLONE
  • Glucocorticoid: CORTISOL, CORTISONE
  • Mineralocorticoids: ALDOSTERONE
  • Adrenal sex steroid precursors: DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE (DHEA) ETIOCHOLANOLONE, ANDROSTERONE
• Sex hormones: ESTRONE, ESTRADIOL, ESTRIOL, PREGNENEDIOL (progesterone metabolite), TESTOSTERONE
• CREATININE

OPTIONS AVAILABLE




Testing can be tailored to include adrenal hormones only, sex hormones only, or both.

• Adrenal steroids: DHEA, cortisone, cortisol, pregnenolone, aldosterone, etiocholanolone, androsterone
• Sex hormones: DHEA, estrone, estradiol, estriol, pregnenediol, testosterone, etiocholanolone, androsterone

INDICATIONS

• Anorexia nervosa
• Hypertension
• Emotional stress
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Idiopathic hirsutism
• Carcinoma
• Endocrine disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• 5-alpha reductase deficiency

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

• Adrenal gland functional assessment--ACTH Adrenal Stimulation Test
  • Thorough assessment of adrenal functional capacity can be achieved by conducting 24-hour urinary assays before and after (PRE AND POST) adrenal stimulation with adrenal cortico-tropic hormone (ACTH)

BIOCHEMICAL BASIS

• Steroid hormones are prepared for excretion by metabolic processes in the liver.
• Liver enzymes reduce unsaturated bonds and add hydroxyl groups.
• Conjugation with sulfate (sulfation) renders the converted molecules more water-soluble.
• 20% - 30% of these compounds are secreted into the bile and excreted in the feces.
• The remaining 70% - 80% are released into the bloodstream.
• The kidneys filter out the metabolites and excrete them in the urine.

ADVANTAGES

• Increased accuracy because the 24 - hour test transcends the circadian fluctuation of hormone levels.
• Urinary hormone levels reflect normal physiologic processes.

[kristenv]

Sunny,
When I was at Mayo a few years ago I did the same test (among others) Obtaining a full 24hrs of "data" is a more valuable diagnostic tools than just a random sample. The panel you illustarted is looking at a variety of metobolic and hormonal components. It is a valuable test. Interestingly, I was only given 1 jug and had that filled before 8pm which skewed my results a bit, but did help with the diagnosis. Good luck with your endo. I know how frustrating this can be.
Kristen

[SunnySmile501]

Originally Posted by kristenv

Sunny,
When I was at Mayo a few years ago I did the same test (among others) Obtaining a full 24hrs of "data" is a more valuable diagnostic tools than just a random sample. The panel you illustarted is looking at a variety of metobolic and hormonal components. It is a valuable test. Interestingly, I was only given 1 jug and had that filled before 8pm which skewed my results a bit, but did help with the diagnosis. Good luck with your endo. I know how frustrating this can be.
Kristen

I, too, was only given one gallon jug the first time, and like you, I had it full before bedtime. I didn't know what to do, so when it was almost full, I started only putting a little bit in. I tried to wait all night to go, but finally had to go at 2:30 a.m. and completely filled the catch basin up. I had no room for it, so I flushed it. I knew how important the last catch was, so I put it in a sterile bottle and took it along.

Well, they said it was not acceptable, they had to have every drop, so they sent me back home (80-mile round trip) with two bottles for a do-over!

I was determined not to have to do it a third time, but I had to go to choir practice because we were having an extra special music service today. We ran way over, and my eyeballs were floating by the time I got home! But I made it.

Thanks for responding and you look fantastic!

Sunny!

[ssMarilyn]

I've never done the urine test, but have done the saliva test where you spit in test tubes 4 times a day to check cortisol levels.