Secondary Hypothyroid, possible Cortisol concerns

Posted , 6 users are following.

So last year, after 2 years of being told that my symptoms were “impossible” (20lb weight gain in a couple months), from pregnancy, then postpartum...I was finally diagnosed with Hypothyrodism once my T3 came out low.  Started seeing an Endo, who did labs and my cortisol came back at 5.75. I was concerned but he wasn’t, saying it was in low-normal range. I requested a test to check my adrenals. Did another cortisol lab last week and now it’s at 5.5. My ACTH lab is tomorrow to check my adrenals. My therapist has been concerned about my cortisol levels for a year, and is not happy that my Endo keeps suggesting antidepressants. Anywho...this all seems a little too weird added onto the fact that 18 months ago, when I delivered my youngest, I had a secondary surgery during my csection to remove a brick sized ovarian tumor, my ovary, Fallopian tubes and appendix. They found a 1mm Neuro Endocrine Tumor (NET) on my appendix and that my ovarian tumor was benign. No further treatment was needed because it was caught early. I’ve experienced weight gain, with extremely difficulty losing, fatigue/exhaustion, irritability/mood swings, very heavy periods, low blood sugar (get clammy, hot, feel horrible), feel like death after very hard exercise and exhausted, days of mental fog where I feel like I can barely talk/remember words or my tongue doesn’t move right. It feels like I can’t even think. I also have some intolerance to stress...which is the main indicator for my therapist. I THRIVE on stress normally. It’s ingrained in my basic personality traits to problem solve, but lately I have a total break down when I get stressed. I just don’t feel “good” or right. I am thinking that it’s possibly due to my pituitary, particularly since I have secondary hypothyroid, with only my T3 being low. Any input would be appreciated. I have doctors that don’t believe me...never have. My giant ovarian tumor was ligament pain. My shoulder pain was arthritis for a year until it turned out to be my gall bladder and still took over 3 weeks of excruciating pain to get surgery.  I can’t just find another doctor either because I’m military.  Any input or advice would help. TIA!

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  • Posted

    I agree with Maureen

    Most doctors, nurses and endos

    May not recognize the symptoms for cushings as Cushings but might say it is because of your diey, etc...

    Realistically , they are going with the odds

    But as we know medicine is not a roulette table

  • Posted

    Sometimes also , you have to go see a specialist

    Even in another country

    I know john hopkins in the US has some if the best pituitary specialists

    and there are hospitals in Boston

    Called Mass General- which is a subdivision of Harvard

    Where you can order what is called a second opinion

    For pituitary problems

    You give them all your info and they will try to diagnose

    You.

    It may be your best option

    Good luck

  • Posted

    I'm surprised because it sounds like you had

    a gallbladder attack but they didnt treat it

    with morphine right away

    I have had those 2-3 day gallbladder attacks and

    it was brutal

    You would think because your military you would get better treatment

    my advise would to be to either pay

    a pituitary hospital like Massachussett's General

    for a remote second opinion

    or visit a pituitary center like UCLA

    good luck

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