What is a Day Curve?

To get an accurate measure of your cortisol (hydrocortisone) levels throughout the day, it is often preferable to carry out a "day curve" test. This involves a series of blood test over an 11 hour period. In the UK, they can usually be carried out by a major hospital.
 
In a healthy person, cortisol production is governed by several factors. The most important are:
- a diurnal variation, peaking at 7 to 9 am and falling to almost zero by midnight.
- the level of stress to the body. In particular, surgery or illness can cause the level to rise manyfold.
 
 
Another blood sample is taken from my arm
 

What is it like to go for a Day Curve?

       In hormone replacement therapy, the aim is to mimic the body's natural production of cortisol

Read my diary

Short presentation about hydrocortisone diurnal cycle

Day Curve Results

 

Relevant links

go to links page for all links
Abstract from Department of Endocrinology, Christie Hospital, Manchester, UK. Reproducibility of cortisol day curve in monitoring patients on long-term Hydrocortisone Replacement Therapy
ADSHG manual Section on medication
An assessment of optimal hydrocortisone replacement therapy report
Assessment of optimum hydrocortisone therapy and its relevance to weight gain Report- Medical & Clinical Research Articles for Nurses
Is the cortisol day curve a useful tool? report - Department of Endocrinology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK
Lab Tests Online Renin testing
Patient self-monitoring of hydrocortisone replacement Is it possible for patients to carry out their own tests?
Report from City Hospital Nottingham "Assessment of Corticosteroid replacement in adults with adrenal insuffiency"
webMDhealth Renin
Home | search database | view guestbook | RSS feeds | links | Living with Addisons | News | Forum
website by quodvide