1. < Diabetes & Endocrine System

How do I fine tune my Hydrocortisone replacement dosing?

Posted by buffy @buffywoah, May 28, 2023

My doctors instructions for my Hydrocortisone replacement is just to take 15 mg at 8 AM and 5 mg at 2 PM. I sometimes have a busy day and don’t realize it and then I get symptoms the next day. So I’m having trouble determining when to take the double stress dose. Which my doctors instructions are to take it if I have a fever or I have a dental procedure. I’m wondering how to know how much to take and when to avoid feeling terrible the day after. Anyone have experience with this?

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Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | May 29, 2023

@buffywoah welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see your post about fine tuning your hydrocortisone replacement dosing. It is posted in the diabetes / endocrine group (where I mostly hang out). Do you mind me asking what is the medication prescribed for? Also was the med hydrocortisone and it has been replaced with something else? What medication are you wondering about? I’m a bit confused about your situation, but I’d like to help if I can.

REPLY
1 reply
buffy | @buffywoah | May 30, 2023
In reply to @cehunt57 "@buffywoah welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see your post about fine tuning your hydrocortisone replacement..." + (show)
@cehunt57

@buffywoah welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see your post about fine tuning your hydrocortisone replacement dosing. It is posted in the diabetes / endocrine group (where I mostly hang out). Do you mind me asking what is the medication prescribed for? Also was the med hydrocortisone and it has been replaced with something else? What medication are you wondering about? I’m a bit confused about your situation, but I’d like to help if I can.

Jump to this post

My body isn’t making cortisol so I am taking hydrocortisone to make up for the cortisol. I think my body needs more then the prescribed dose or spread out more during the day. I’m also having hypoglycemia symptoms when my body is stressed which seems to be linked to the need for cortisol.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | May 30, 2023

Thank you for explaining about cortisol and hydrocortisone. I thought hydrocortisone was a topical medication for other ailments. I suggest you ask the prescribing physician or maybe the pharmacist to clarify the dose instructions specifically the quantity and time to take it.
Regarding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), it can be a common occurrence during times of stress, anxiety, other illnesses or injuries. Could you talk to your provider about this? What are you doing to treat these symptoms? Perhaps your provider can make some suggestions.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 30, 2023
In reply to @buffywoah "My body isn’t making cortisol so I am taking hydrocortisone to make up for the cortisol...." + (show)
@buffywoah

My body isn’t making cortisol so I am taking hydrocortisone to make up for the cortisol. I think my body needs more then the prescribed dose or spread out more during the day. I’m also having hypoglycemia symptoms when my body is stressed which seems to be linked to the need for cortisol.

Jump to this post

Hello, there is a newer, extended-release version of oral hydrocortisone available. It is intended specifically for cases i=of insufficient cortisol.
Perhaps you can ask your endocrinologist if it is appropriate for you?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
buffy | @buffywoah | May 30, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "Hello, there is a newer, extended-release version of oral hydrocortisone available. It is intended specifically for..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hello, there is a newer, extended-release version of oral hydrocortisone available. It is intended specifically for cases i=of insufficient cortisol.
Perhaps you can ask your endocrinologist if it is appropriate for you?
Sue

Jump to this post

Sue, thanks for your suggestion.

REPLY
buffy | @buffywoah | May 30, 2023
In reply to @cehunt57 "Thank you for explaining about cortisol and hydrocortisone. I thought hydrocortisone was a topical medication for..." + (show)
@cehunt57

Thank you for explaining about cortisol and hydrocortisone. I thought hydrocortisone was a topical medication for other ailments. I suggest you ask the prescribing physician or maybe the pharmacist to clarify the dose instructions specifically the quantity and time to take it.
Regarding hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), it can be a common occurrence during times of stress, anxiety, other illnesses or injuries. Could you talk to your provider about this? What are you doing to treat these symptoms? Perhaps your provider can make some suggestions.

Jump to this post

I’m talking with my provider about all this soon. I just wanted to know how others have worked through this fine tuning process.

REPLY
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