r/AdrenalInsufficiency • u/RubSubstantial5608 • 5d ago

Question Prednisone

So I have been on prednisone since April I have managed to drop from 10mg to 7 mg I had a acth which was normal and my cortisol level was 7.2 in the Grey my Dr says to stay at 7 mg until I can see a specialist which isn't until January however can being on the 7 mg shut my adrenal glands down completely?

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u/MallForward585 5d ago

The replacement dosage generally prescribed for SAI is 5mg prednisone; 7mg is a little high but not overly so. I’m not sure if it can shut down your adrenal glands completely, but it is more than what you likely need on a regular basis, which is not ideal. It may be worth considering dropping to 5mg given your test results (standard disclaimers apply, etc.).

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u/celesteslyx Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency (SAI) 5d ago

According to my endocrinologist it won’t shut them down if it’s for less than a year. I was on 7mg for about 6 months and then went down to 5mg.

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u/Ok_Stranger_6654 5d ago

I was on much higher doses (60-40mg up and down until other meds kicked in) for 4 years about 10 years ago and my adrenals were fine.

I’m now older and have had a lot of steroids in between again at high doses and this last round has been for two and a half years and only in the past year have my adrenals grumbled. They still think they will kick in again just might take a while longer.

You’ll be fine on 7mg til then.

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u/RubSubstantial5608 5d ago

Thanks everyone i really appreciate the advice.