Hi M.,

 

Ditto to what Megan and Mary have said:

 

• “u” is the symbol for micro, so those two units of measure are the same;
• You would have to measure blood dexamethasone levels, not blood cortisol levels, if you are taking dex; and
• DHEA levels have often been found to be low in CAH patients after treatment.  (Somewhere I have a copy of a paper that says this…can dig it up for you, if you’re interested.)

 As for whether to reduce dose based on these test results or to change medication:

 

I think important questions to also consider are: “How do you FEEL on this dose of medication?”  “Are you experiencing any side effects from too much medication?” and “Are you exhibiting symptoms of androgen excess?” In my opinion, the test results are only ONE factor to consider in making decisions about medication doses.  Just as important, if not more important, is what you are seeing and experiencing in “real life.” 

 

If this were me, and I were feeling fine with no symptoms of androgen excess (hair, acne, etc.) I might also try going down in dose.  On the other hand, if I were always tired and had excess androgen issues, I might not.  So…it really all depends. (Clear as mud, right? LOL!)  I guess the point I am trying to make is—with my son--we do not always make the same decision about dose increases or decreases, even when lab results are the same (or similar) to the time before. It kind of depends on what we are seeing in my son at that point in time, and what it is we are trying most to achieve.