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Atrophy of the Pancreas but all my blood work normal

Posted , 12 users are following.

Shortie79
Shortie79

I have been feeling stomach pain since mid July 2016. I had blood work drawn for pancreatitis, an ultrasound performed and both came back normal. I then went to a GI doctor who performed an endoscopy and that too came back normal. I kept telling my doctor "I know my body, I KNOW there's something wrong" (I have a history of adhesions, so I thought maybe something in my stomach was adhered). My doctor ordered a CT Enterography and the results stated "atrophy of the pancreas" … I don't understand how ALL my blood work can be normal and then apparently I have chronic pancreatitis. I don't drink, I don't eat fatty foods (actually I hardly eat at all anymore because of the pain, nausea and on a good day after I take a couple bites of food I feel full). Since all this started I have lost 30 pounds or more. I had an abdominal surgery back in June 2014 because my intestines were adhered together and I have been bedridden ever since due to a nerve disease I have. I would like to know if anyone has atrophy of their pancreas and what has helped for you please?

2 likes, 36 replies

36 Replies

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  • shannon15641
    shannon15641 Shortie79

    Posted

    What I am curious about is whether sugars can be high but show in the normal ranges because of the pancreas being atrophic.  What kind of doctor do I need to diagnose my pancreas issues. I swear I have severe attacks a couple times a month these are different yhan my normal abdominal pain from my gastroparesis. My sugars show at risk but not diabetes level. I am wondering if they are showing this because of the lack of insulin being produced. 
    • Shortie79
      Shortie79 shannon15641

      Posted

      I don’t really have the information you’re looking for. It took me over a year to get where I’m at now with the doctors. I started with my primary doctor which she referred me to a GI specialist and when I didn’t agree with the GI specialist I asked to see the pancreas specialist. However, I don’t get pancreatitis attacks because of the standard reasons, I get them because I have two narrow ducts. It’s been quite hard for me to find information about how to prevent anything when you’re born with something. I wish I had the answer you wanted, I’m sorry. 
  • Ron59
    Ron59 Shortie79

    Posted

    Hi...new here. smile

    I've recently had an abdominal/pelvic CT scan at my local VA hospital (Harry Truman Memorial VA Hospital -- one of the top rated VA hospitals in the nation). I just downloaded the images and report of my CT scan and it mentioned "pancreas is severely atrophic/fatty replaced". I've read through the replies of everyone else on here, and I'm a bit different issues.

    My general health issues go back 18 years ago when I was required to have a Hep-B immunization as a work requirement (I was the head of the IT Dept. at a small town hospital). Within 3 months or so, I suddenly developed Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and had to be put on synthroid. Up until then, I was probably leaning towards hyperthyroidism, but then I suddenly started gaining weight, and my hair (which used to be quite thick and long, down to my belt in back when braided) started to thin and become brittle. I've recently had a DNA test done and it shows that I have a decreased chance for thyroid autoimmune conditions, and some other items such as heart disease, certain cancers, etc. Yet, I suddenly developed, quite out of the blue, an autoimmune thyroid issue. On Friday, 13 Jan 2012, I woke up with heart problems, and ended up suffering v-fib sudden cardiac arrest. Now, I have been in the military, I've exercised a lot, have been an avid cyclist and participated in several cycling events ("century rides", MS-150 Bike Tour, etc.), and I eat lean meats, fairly healthy diet, never smoked, rarely drink any alcohol (a 1/2 glass of wine or some mead on occasion), and don't mess with drugs. I was told that if I hadn't been in as good health as I was at the time, I wouldn't be here (Sudden Cardiac Arrest has a 75%-98% chance of not surviving it). I had to be shocked 5 times to be brought back, and spent 9 days in the hospital--thankfully, the VA took great care of me.

    Now up to the present. I've been on carvedilol for my heart (it has both an alpha and beta blocker in it), not so much to lower my blood pressure, which has been great (now averages 84/50 though, due to the med), but to keep my heart rate down below 150 bpm (they want it preferably below 140). The major side effects of beta blockers are (1) general weakness, (2) lightheadedness, (3) dizziness, and (4) persistent diarrhea -- all of which I've been putting up with since being on the med. I'm on other meds, including prescription B12, D3, and Folic Acid (my DNA test said that I have a decreased ability to utilize those vitamins). I have a MRTHFR gene mutation which (from what I've found on it so far) probably made it a bad idea to get that fool Hep-B vaccine 18 years ago. (Wish I had known at the time!)

    My doctors at the VA have been trying to find the cause of the persistent diarrhea I've been having (they put me on loperimide to slow things down), so they had me get 'scoped, do a CT scan, give all sorts of blood and stool samples...everything has been coming up "normal"...except for the CT scan report, which said, 

    Findings:

           

          The partially imaged lung bases are grossly clear. The liver,

          spleen, adrenal glands, kidneys, and gallbladder are unremarkable

          in appearance. The pancreas is severely atrophic/fatty replaced.  

          No hemodynamically significant stenosis or aneurysmal dilatation

          within the partially imaged aorta and its major branching

          vessels.  

           

          No pathologic bowel dilatation. No free intra-abdominal air or

          abnormal fluid collection. The appendix is not inflamed. Very

          small fat-containing umbilical hernia. The prostate and

          noncontrasted urinary bladder are grossly unremarkable in

          appearance. By size criteria, no radiographically significant

          lymphadenopathy is identified. Mild multilevel degenerative

          changes of the partially imaged spine.  

           

        Impression:

           

          1. Severely atrophic/fatty replaced pancreas.  

           

          2. Other chronic/incidental findings as described above.  

        Primary Diagnostic Code: NO ALERT REQUIRED

    I was losing weight, but since January of this year, I've gained from 174 to 192, and can't seem to work it off. I've been having what feels like "heartburn" only below my stomach. Various test show that I don't have bacterial infections (such as c. diff.) and my pancreatic enzymes are normal (no PEI). Personally, I think they should try taking me off the heart med and see what that does. The University of Leeds in the UK concluded a study last year after following 54,000 people who have had at least one heart attack but no congestive heart failure, that beta blockers were statistically useless, and provided no benefit. They are going to do another study with over 100,000 people. Now, it's important to know that I had cardiac arrest, and not a heart attack -- they're two different things. So, what does this have to do with my pancreas? Well...I'm thinking it's the meds that are causing the problem. I wish I could be off that synthetic thyroid med, off the statin, and off the heart med (stress tests and wearing halter monitors showed no further abnormal heart rhythms). I don't have congestive heart failure, so why am I on this stuff? I can guess, but that would get into a political mess, and I'll avoid that here. smile

    Anyway, I think I'll agree with others in that possibly the medication(s) caused some to have pancreas issues, and it looks like the same is happening to me. It bites, but at least I'm still around for a little while longer.

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine Ron59

      Posted

      Hi Ron, I feel the synthetic thyroid medications worsened my thyroid disease and caused a bunch of other problems including chronic pancreatitis, liver lesions, gallbladder problems, severe bone loss to bame a few. Pancreatitis often hies in diagnosed and can kead to every gut issue imaginable as well as malnutrition. The malnutrition wpuld of course worsen ghyrpid disease...

      Better off without the meds.

    • Ron59
      Ron59 MtViewCatherine

      Posted

      Just curious--by chance have you ever had a Hep-B  vaccine? The reason why I ask is because you mentioned that you have a thyroid disease. A friend of mine who is on a big thyroid support group told me that a large number of the people in that group had suddenly come down with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition) within 2-4 months of having had a Hep-B vaccine shot. From what I've read so far on here is that people on synthroid have ended up with pancreas problems. I've learned that natural desiccated thyroid is superior to synthroid, but the Big Pharma drug companies demanded (and got) a moratorium on the natural desiccated thyroid just because it is natural and they can't get a patent for it, so they can't make money on it. It seems to me that their mantra is "natural = bad, artificial = good". I've noticed over the years how often I keep getting asked on forms if I take natural supplements or not, and I see lots of things trying to steer people away from natural remedies or supplements. But that isn't surprising since the US is one of only two countries in the world where it is not illegal for drug companies to market direct to consumers (New Zealand is the other). Drug company ads are everywhere--TV, radio, magazines.

      Anyway, I wish I could be taken off the synthroid, statin, and carvedilol, though I really wish I never had to have that fool Hep-B vaccine...I think that started a snowball effect in my body. My doctor is concerned about me being dehydrated all the time, even though I drink lots of water (I carry a water bottle with me everywhere), and supposedly my kidneys may not be working right (I have no trouble urinating, and that seems normal when tested--except when I was put on altorvastatin for a short while, and ended up getting told to go to the nearest ER immediately because of the symptoms I had at the time; I was promptly switched to another one that was less damaging).

      Oh, one more thing about my thyroid issue -- I supposedly have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which should eventually kill my thyroid gland, and necessitate me being on a 100% hormone replacement supplement. Thing is, though, the levels have leveled off and haven't changed for several years, meaning it's not getting any worse like it should.The antibodies should be continually attacking it, mistaking it for a foreign body, until they kill it. Well, that hasn't happened, it's still working, though at a reduced level that has been constant. This is leading me to think it's not actually Hashimoto's, but hypothyroidism--unless it's in a sort of remission or something. Everything is all connected in some way or another--mess up one thing, and other stuff gets knocked out of kilter.

    • MtViewCatherine
      MtViewCatherine Ron59

      Posted

      Hi Ron, interesting. Many vaccines vontain mercury, which can cause hypothyroidism and increased rT3.

      You CAN get off the Synthroid- in my case it likely caused the pancreatitis, definitely caused liver lesions and tons of other problems.

      I weaned of the synthetic thyoxin with NDTs. The NDTs seem different niw than when I took them in 2012 and seem like they’re cut with synthetics.

      Weened off the NDTs with OTC bovine glandular. Weaned off the glandular with supplements essential amino acid complex and  phenylalanine. 

      The amino acids are more effective than any of the meds. 

      I also do herbs as needed, acupuncture, chiropractic and visceral massage.

      For every illness, there is a natural cure with little or no side effects. You have unlimited information at your fingertips. Use it to inform yourself and find a way to truly heal!

  • KellieA
    KellieA Shortie79

    Posted

    Shortie79, how badly atrophied is it and what diet and medication has your GI put you on?

    I have also a moderately to severe atrophied pancreas of the head and tail, this was picked up on a CT Enterorrhaphy last month. Never had any symptoms , although I am Coeliac, hence having my CT Enterorrhaphy to check the gut. The same as you my bloods are perfect and so was my faecal test. I also don't drink and thought I had a reasonably healthy diet, and am quite thin. I am booked in to have an MRI next month.

    Its now 4 years for you since you found out..has it atrophied any further and what has the GI done for you?

    • andrea64883
      andrea64883 KellieA

      Posted

      I don't think Shortie has been on for some time now, but if you look at her posts she ended up having an operation to try to fix/alleviate her issues.

  • ally884
    ally884 Shortie79

    Posted

    Hi there,

    im so glad you raised this concern. ive been diagnosed on my CT with atrophy and fatty pancrease but ALL blood work is normal and my doc told me that means i dont have it?

    Ive read that chronic pancreaitis means significant reduction in life expectancy? can anyone help me understand? So scared x

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