Cortisol levels

[Jukebox55]

Hello everyone,

I have recently finally come off pramipexole after 6 months weaning off and I appear to be one of the lucky ones that the iron oral therapy has significantly helped my restless legs. However, I am still not sleeping well and have dipped into the hormonal debate… I think I have high cortisol levels at the wrong time with low progesterone. I have had a 9am blood test for cortisol and it came back at 521. I know that cortisol levels change throughout the day and it would be better to have the four times a day urine test, which I am going to organise. Does anyone know whether this level is high or low for a 9am test. The GPs just said it was normal… Any help would be much appreciated.

[SueJohnson]

Searching on the internet, that is a normal result. Normal includes up to 690.

[RLSgirl]

I believe your cortisol levels are highest in the AM.

Ive had saliva cortisol testing done. I don't know how that compares to urine testing.

[teakabeagle]

Cortisol levels vary through out the day. There is a cortisol silence around 3 am which awakens a lot of people and they can’t get back to sleep.

Meditation is very useful in lower cortisol levels, I used to have levels above 1000. I started meditation regularly and my hot levels are now half that.

[Jukebox55]

thanks, good to know! I have started taking a plethora of supplements to reduce it eg vit C, B5, radiola, ginseng, l-tyrosine etc… What medication has helped you?

[Hidden]

jukebox, can you please explain your oral iron therapy that has helped you

[Jukebox55]

hi Salem,

I followed all the crucial advice on here. I took six months to come off pramipexole and at the same time took 40mg of gentle iron, on alternate nights on an empty stomach . My ferritin levels gradually increased from lie 20s to almost 100. A long slow process but worth it! Look up all the articles on iron therspy on here. Good luck!