ask: i RECENTLY HAD A 24 HR. URINE FOR FREE CORTISOL. MY RESULTS WEWR 5.3 THIS IS HIGHER THAN THE NORMS FOR OUR HOSPITAL PERAMETERS. I WORK IN THE ER THERE WHICH IS A SUPER HIGH STRESS JOB 40 HRS A WEEK. I HAVE BECOME VERY FORGETFUL PLUS A LOT OF OTHER THINGS

Hi Susandiane - Did your physician give you a reason for testing for cortisol? Were any other tests run at the same time? Given the volume of stress you're dealing with, as well as the problems you're encountering, a full physical exam and work up would probably be helpful.

As far as the cortisol test, you can find a lot of helpful information from labtestsonline which is a nonprofit site run by laboratory professionals. The site says cortisol testing is typically done when your doctor suspects excess or deficient cortisol production, and to help diagnose Cushing's syndrome or Addison's disease.

The listing also includes common questions, including - How do I tell if a high cortisol level isn’t just from stress? The answer is - There are several approaches that your doctor can take. The simplest involves repeating tests at a time when you feel less stressed. Your doctor can also give you varying doses of a medicine that replaces cortisol (usually dexamethasone) to see if this decreases your cortisol level. Multiple tests are often needed to tell if stress or disease is causing a high cortisol level.

You can find the full report here: http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cortisol/glance.html

Please review this information and then let us know how this fits, or doesn't fit, with what you and your doctor are thinking. I hope this is helpful. Take care, Pat