The Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) Test
Below you will find four ASI tests of actual patients that will give you some idea of how this test is able to assist the physician in making a proper diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Syndrome. But even more useful than a diagnosis, this test is able to tell the physician the exact Selye phase and DHEA - Cortisol "Key" of the patient, thereby allowing him to institute the correct treatment for that specific phase. Finally, by the use of ongoing tests the physician is able to ascertain that his therapy is correct and effective.
Test #1
In test #1 we see a classical example of a patient in the Selye "resistance phase." While the DHEA is at the bottom of the normal range, all the Cortisol levels are elevated, indicating the efforts of the body to stimulate an exhausted adrenal gland. If this patient is not soon treated correctly for this phase, the reserve DHEA will become exhausted, the Cortisol levels will drop and she will enter the far more serious "exhaustive phase."
Test #2
In test #2 we see what could happen to the patient in test #1 if she is not treated properly for her Selye phase. Here we find the DHEA levels are almost completely exhausted and because of this the morning and noon Cortisol levels are below normal. If you look at the patient level on the right, you will see that it is on the borderline between 4 and 7. If this woman was not treated she could easily drop down into adrenal failure. Fortunately, she was treated properly and as tests #3 and #4 show she has made an excellent recovery.
Test #3
We see in this test taken only six weeks after test #3 that she is making good progress. She has moved from a near 7 in her DHEA - Cortisol Correlation to a 3. All of her cortisol levels have risen which is a good sign in this phase. (In the patient in test #1 we will want the DHEA to rise, but the Cortisol levels to drop.) She is well on her way to having a life again.
Test #4
Finally, in this test taken about six months after test #2 we find that the patient's Cortisol levels have come into the normal range except for the noon one. The very important (symptom wise) morning and midnight levels are excellent. While the DHEA has not risen since test #3, she has moved from a frank 3 on the DHEA - Cortisol correlation chart to 2-3 borderline and is on the edge of the normal zone. Test #4 was just taken 1/23/97 and with continued treatment we expect all her levels to continue to improve.
As you can see, the proper use of the ASI test takes much of the guesswork out of treating CFS & FMS. If you would like to know more concerning this test and our treatment of these conditions feel free to contact us.