One more test, PP?

OK, so sometimes a multidisciplinary approach can give a new perspective on a problem.  The 5-day dexamethasone test seems to have thrown up some unexpected results and if some miracle occurs, it may require some eating of words by Dr A.

The purpose of the test was finally spelled out – it was an attempt to suppress the adrenal androgens (in much the same way that the overnight test suppresses cortisol production if the adrenal-pituitary feedback is working properly). All but one of the androgens was successfully suppressed (even Androstenedione, which went down from over 23 to less than 1) – this time the miscreant appeared to be 17-hydroxyprogesterone. It would be somewhat premature to bring up Dr A’s previous assertion that my problem was definitely not CAH, but even so, the human pincushion known as PP will be having more blood tests. A modified short synacthen test, to be more precise and back next month for the result.

~ by me on 18 January 2007.