Annie
I've given this same reply to others on the list---1)Every BODY is different---what may be high levels for you may not be high levels for me---and none of us will fit perfectly on "THEIR" charts!! 2) Even tho I had extreme classic symptoms, no found cause, and levels not "significant"---I got out photos of when I was "healthy", of progressive changes in appearance, and the set timer on camera & took photos of self in leotard to show my classic cushings body, face, "hump" and darkened skin ring across back of neck. Put them together w/ caption, made color copies and sent them to all my Dr.'s. They all agreed I have C's syndrome---but have siad or done little to help me, past removing an ovarian tumor. 3)READ-READ-READ---Go to all the reputable sources you can to learn WHAT'S happening to your body---look up everything mentioned and find out about each thing---don't rely on "them"---educate yourself---it's eye-opening. ONE GOOD BOOK---Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom, by Dr. Christiane Northrup, MD . She's been a GYN for 25 years, and she 's the most help I've ever had. She covers adrenal disorders, and endocrine dysfunctions. Tells you what to do!!!!! 4) If you're over-producing Cortisol you're UNDER-producing DHEA which keeps cortisol in balance. "THEY" don't tell you you canbuy it over-counter and take it to help. Begin w/ 1/4 of 25mg tab-- 2X/day building up to 25mg 2X/day for 6 mo. 3) "THEY" don't tell us to avoid sugar,sweets,starches(white breads, potatoes,rices,chips,crackers,etc) because of the affect they have on insulin resistance in cushings. AVOID them---it'll really help. 5) "THEY" don't tell us that SOY products slow metabolism---which is like shutting off the electricity for us!! (It's well documented---inspite of the SOY "craze") AVOID SOY--read labels. 6)Another medically documented fact "THEY" 'forget' ---AVOID LICORACE!!! It's a plant form of cortisol!! READ labels--- 7)Stress increases a whole mess of "sub-hormones" that get our cortisol pumping-Change whatever you can ti alleviate the stress in your life. I'm learning more everyday---and I've improved in small increments--but improved none-the-less----you can too. God be with you.-