the level of serum cortisol and the result of pilocarpine iontophoresis

Question

In my adult child with suspicion of CF the level of serum cortisol at 8.00 a.m. was 570 nmol/l. The day before pilocarpine iontophoresis was done and the result was low - 33 mmol/l. The result of pilocarpine iontophoresis, which was done 3 years ago, was 77 and 6 months ago - 57. Can the level of serum cortisol influence the result of pilocarpine iontophoresis? What does the high level of serum cortisol mean in CF patient? (the level of serum cortisol was assessed for the first time).

Answer

Hello,
The level of cortisol you mentioned is a normal value and so it has no influence on the result of the pilocarpine iontophoresis. However, we didn't receive from you the complete information, what were the indications to assess the level of cortisol in your child. In order to clear all doubts, we advise you to contact endocrinologist.
With kind regards,
prof. dr. hab. Wojciech Cichy
dr n. med. Natalia Kobelska-Dubiel
(counseling: prof. UM dr hab. Marek Niedziela)

10.05.2011

10.5.11
The normal range (5th to 95th percentile) for cortiosol levels in the serum in the mornings (8-10 a.m.) is 290-770 nmol/l. A single test result is not always sufficient dependent on the question. In case there is clinically the suspicion for hypercortisolism, measurment of cortisol in the 24-hours-collected urine would be more informative as single results could still be normal.
In case there would be an abnormality of the cortisol level, it could indeed influence the result of a sweat test as hypercortisolism could reduce the values of the sweat test result, a adrenal gland insufficiency with lack of cortisol could lead to false positive results.
D. d'Alquen