Guest guest Posted May 19, 2006 Report Share Posted May 19, 2006 In a message dated 5/19/06 8:05:46 PM, frand.2@... writes: Does anyone know anything about carcinoid tumors? I had a urine 5-HIAA test done twice and both times the 5-HIAA was 11. The upper limit of the range is 6. I also had a Chromogranin A test done twice. The first one was 72 and the second was 35. The reference range is 0 - 51. Does anyone know anything about the test like what things can affect it? My endo has told me that he thinks I have a carcinoid tumor but I had an octreotide scan and nothing showed up. He said most of them are in the stomach but I don't have any digestive problems at all. He also thinks I have a parathyroid tumor and has done a PTH test 3 times but so far no scan. Would a pth tumor show up on an octreatide scan? If I have a carcinoid tumor do I just have to wait a few more years for one to show up. Although my doctor said they aren't always cancer, the only info I can find on them is on cancer web sites. Fran Do you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia or has it been mentioned by anyone? May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 It may have been mentioned as a possibility but not definate diagnosis. So far no one has confirmed that I have a tumor anywhere. My Dr. just thinks I have one because my urine 5-HIAA is too high. It was 11 and the upper range is 6. Also my face and neck get very red sometimes when I start sweating. The doctor calls it flushing, but a flush is a lot different than severe sweating which is what I have. I had an octreotide scan and nothing showed up. So far, no one has confirmed that I have anything. My aldosterone is suppressed by saline and therefore it is secondary. Is there a test for MEN? They also tested my Chromogranan A twice and one time it was high and the second time it wasn't. Is there anything else that could cause elevated 5- HIAA? One time I took it I was off of beta blockers, caffeine, tylenol and bananas for three or 4 days before the test and the other I wasn't and both results were the same. Fran > > > > Do you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia or has it been mentioned by anyone? > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 aldo suppressed by saline? That sounds like " fire suppressed by gasoline " How does that work? Or is this for a venous study, and local? Dave On May 20, 2006, at 2:06 PM, pagirl1946 wrote: > It may have been mentioned as a possibility but not definate > diagnosis. So far no one has confirmed that I have a tumor anywhere. > My Dr. just thinks I have one because my urine 5-HIAA is too high. It > was 11 and the upper range is 6. Also my face and neck get very red > sometimes when I start sweating. The doctor calls it flushing, but a > flush is a lot different than severe sweating which is what I have. I > had an octreotide scan and nothing showed up. So far, no one has > confirmed that I have anything. My aldosterone is suppressed by saline > and therefore it is secondary. Is there a test for MEN? They also > tested my Chromogranan A twice and one time it was high and the second > time it wasn't. Is there anything else that could cause elevated 5- > HIAA? One time I took it I was off of beta blockers, caffeine, tylenol > and bananas for three or 4 days before the test and the other I wasn't > and both results were the same. > > Fran > >>> >> >> Do you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia or has it been mentioned by > anyone? >> >> >> >> May your pressure be low! >> >> CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. >> Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension >> Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC >> Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure >> Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 Tell us more about your spells of sweating. Have you been screened for Pheo with NE and E? May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2006 Report Share Posted May 20, 2006 In a message dated 5/21/06 3:18:03 AM, dave@... writes: aldo suppressed by saline? That sounds like "fire suppressed by gasoline" How does that work? Or is this for a venous study, and local? Dave Standard part of the older Grim Weinberger Protocol for salt loading and salt depletion. May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Dr. Grim: I wish other doctors talked and spoke your language. You tell a doctor something about the sweating spells he'll tell you to dress appropriately instead of figuring if there are medical conditions or drug reactions causing it. Farah > > Tell us more about your spells of sweating. Have you been screened for Pheo > with NE and E? > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2006 Report Share Posted May 21, 2006 Thanks. If you dont listen and ask you won't know what the patient is experiencing and cannot figure out what is going on. May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 One of the tests that I have read about is saline suppression where the give you a lot of salt and see what happens to your aldo level. My endo did this test and said that saline lowered my aldo level therefore, I have secondary aldosteronism. From what I have read, if you have a tumor, saline will not lower your aldo level, at least not much. I read somewhere that if your salt intake is low, your aldosterone level will go up. In blood tests done in Feb, my NA level is 136 and my cloride level is 99 (low). My dr didn't give me any reason why my aldo was high, just said that it was secondary. Now that I know that, I am guessing that my high aldo level (aldo 20; renin .9) could be because of the very heavy sweating that I am doing. If anyone has been told that both adrenals are overproducing aldo but have a tumor, you should have a saline suppression test if you haven't had one. I do have a " nodule " on my left adrenal gland but my endo says that it is harmless because the saline suppressed my aldo level. In order to do the test, you have to be off of spiro for 6 weeks. I guess my step would be to find out what is causing the sweating. I cannot tolerate heat but my thyroid has been checked by an endo and is fine. My endo also thought that I had a parathyroid tumor but the last pth and calcium levels were OK, however my calcium has been high for years. That is the last I have heard from him, no suggestion of what to do next or anything. Does a parathyroid tumor cause sweating? I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start sweating. It will happen even in the winter when the temp in my house is 68 and I am wearing a tee shirt. I cannot tolerate anyting with sleeves. Often I can feel the heat go down my back. Also when I am in the shower with cool water on my chest and stomach, when I turn around, it feels warm on my back. From what I could understand from my endo, my urine 5HIAA was a little high which indicates a serotonin-producing tumor which they could not find. Does anyone know if anything else can cause you to produce serotonin? The sweating any rise in bp started around the same time - 7 years ago. Fran > > > It may have been mentioned as a possibility but not definate > > diagnosis. So far no one has confirmed that I have a tumor anywhere. > > My Dr. just thinks I have one because my urine 5-HIAA is too high. It > > was 11 and the upper range is 6. Also my face and neck get very red > > sometimes when I start sweating. The doctor calls it flushing, but a > > flush is a lot different than severe sweating which is what I have. I > > had an octreotide scan and nothing showed up. So far, no one has > > confirmed that I have anything. My aldosterone is suppressed by saline > > and therefore it is secondary. Is there a test for MEN? They also > > tested my Chromogranan A twice and one time it was high and the second > > time it wasn't. Is there anything else that could cause elevated 5- > > HIAA? One time I took it I was off of beta blockers, caffeine, tylenol > > and bananas for three or 4 days before the test and the other I wasn't > > and both results were the same. > > > > Fran > > > >>> > >> > >> Do you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia or has it been mentioned by > > anyone? > >> > >> > >> > >> May your pressure be low! > >> > >> CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > >> Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > >> Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > >> Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > >> Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > >> > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2006 Report Share Posted June 7, 2006 I had a parathyroid adenoma (taken out in '99) and do not remember sweating as an issue. Menopause certainly does. Have you had an estradiol test? Val -----Original Message-----From: pagirl1946 Does a parathyroid tumor cause sweating? I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start sweating. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 In a message dated 6/7/06 3:33:04 PM, frand.2@... writes: One of the tests that I have read about is saline suppression where the give you a lot of salt and see what happens to your aldo level. My end did this test and said that saline lowered my aldo level therefore, I have secondary aldosteronism. Well guess he hasn't studied many Primary ones. Aldo can go down in PA as well. Just not to normal for the renin. What was the renin? This is also called part of the Grim, Weinberger Protocol of testing. From what I have read, if you have a tumor, saline will not lower your aldo level, at least not much. I read somewhere that if your salt intake is low, your aldosterone level will go up. In blood tests done in Feb, my NA level is 136 and my cloride level is 99 (low). My dr didn't give me any reason why my aldo was high, just said that it was secondary. Secondary to what? What was the renin? If it is secondary the renin must be high. Now that I know that, I am guessing that my high aldo level (aldo 20; renin .9) could be because of the very heavy sweating that I am doing. No you have primary aldo of one type or another. See my article. If anyone has been told that both adrenals are overproducing aldo but have a tumor, you should have a saline suppression test if you haven't had one. I do have a "nodule" on my left adrenal gland but my endo says that it is harmless because the saline suppressed my aldo level. In order to do the test, you have to be off of spiro for 6 weeks. I guess my step would be to find out what is causing the sweating. I cannot tolerate heat but my thyroid has been checked by an endo and is fine. My endo also thought that I had a parathyroid tumor but the last pth and calcium levels were OK, however my calcium has been high for years. That is the last I have heard from him, no suggestion of what to do next or anything. Does a parathyroid tumor cause sweating? Not usually. I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start sweating. It will happen even in the winter when the temp in my house is 68 and I am wearing a tee shirt. I cannot tolerate anyting with sleeves. Often I can feel the heat go down my back. Also when I am in the shower with cool water on my chest and stomach, when I turn around, it feels warm on my back. From what I could understand from my endo, my urine 5HIAA was a little high which indicates a serotonin-producing tumor which they could not find. Does anyone know if anything else can cause you to produce serotonin? The sweating any rise in bp started around the same time - 7 years ago. 5HIAAs are not very reliable-esp if only a little high. Ask about your risk of stroke by increasing estrogens and read about the Women's Health Study. Fran May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I guess I haven't since I have never heard of it before. What is it for? Years ago an internist (who I only went to for a couple of months)tested my estrogen levels and when I called for results, they said that I was thru menopause. I had pretty much figured that out but was hoping the test would give them a clue as to why I was having these abnormal hot flashes. I started having hot flashes shortly after I turned 50. I went to my gyno and he put me on .625 mg Premarin and about 3 weeks later, they went away. I was fine for a couple of years then started having these hot flashes. I called my gyno and he said I could double the dose so I did. That seemed to work for a couple of months and then they came back again. Doctors have tried to get me off of estrogen because of my bp and triglyceride levels. When I went back to .625 mg, I did not notice any change in the hot flashes. The two times I have gotten off of estrogen completly, the hot flashes seemed to trigger the real hot flashes or vice versa and I was having them every few minutes. Now I am on .3 mg 3 times a week. If they are related to menopause, it is something abnormal. Fran > > I had a parathyroid adenoma (taken out in '99) and do not remember sweating > as an issue. Menopause certainly does. Have you had an estradiol test? > > Val > > -----Original Message----- > From: pagirl1946 > > > Does a parathyroid tumor cause > sweating? I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from > menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be > just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start > sweating. > . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 2006 Report Share Posted June 8, 2006 I am at least five years post-meno and flash terribly w/o estradiol. I think they will have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands when I die. An estradiol test is simply a test of the estradiol you have. I keep mine just high enough for bone protection since I lost significant bone with the (for 14 years) undiagnosed hyperparathyroidism. Val -----Original Message-----From: pagirl1946 I guess I haven't since I have never heard of it before. What is it for? Years ago an internist (who I only went to for a couple of months)tested my estrogen levels and when I called for results, they said that I was thru menopause. I had pretty much figured that out but was hoping the test would give them a clue as to why I was having these abnormal hot flashes. I started having hot flashes shortly after I turned 50. I went to my gyno and he put me on .625 mg Premarin and about 3 weeks later, they went away. I was fine for a couple of years then started having these hot flashes. I called my gyno and he said I could double the dose so I did. That seemed to work for a couple of months and then they came back again. Doctors have tried to get me off of estrogen because of my bp and triglyceride levels. When I went back to .625 mg, I did not notice any change in the hot flashes. The two times I have gotten off of estrogen completly, the hot flashes seemed to trigger the real hot flashes or vice versa and I was having them every few minutes. Now I am on .3 mg 3 times a week. If they are related to menopause, it is something abnormal. Fran<val@...> wrote:Have you had an estradiol test?> .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 In a message dated 6/12/06 10:33:22 AM, frand.2@... writes: I will look for your paper, but you must understand that most of these papers are two technical for me to understand. In 20 words or less, what does it say??? big tumors come from small tumors. May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 In a message dated 6/12/06 10:33:22 AM, frand.2@... writes: I will look for your paper, but you must understand that most of these papers are two technical for me to understand. In 20 words or less, what does it say??? Also as long as you can be controlled on Sprio or Eplerenone and DASHing then I would not push for AVS either. You have early primary aldo perhaps what I call individual or personal hyperaldosteronism. May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 2006 Report Share Posted June 12, 2006 My renin was not checked when I had the saline suppression test, just the aldo. The last time I had renin/aldo checked, the aldo was 20 and renin was .9. When I had the saline suppression test, my aldo was 19 before and 5 after. The Dr said I had secondary aldosteronism but didn' say what was causing it. He refuses to do AVS because he said it isn't indicated. He said that the nodule/tumor or whatever it is that showed up on the CT scan is harmless and not producing aldo I will look for your paper, but you must understand that most of these papers are two technical for me to understand. In 20 words or less, what does it say??? > > > In a message dated 6/7/06 3:33:04 PM, frand.2@... writes: > > > > One of the tests that I have read about is saline suppression where > > the give you a lot of salt and see what happens to your aldo level. > > My end did this test and said that saline lowered my aldo level > > therefore, I have secondary aldosteronism. > > > Well guess he hasn't studied many Primary ones. Aldo can go down in PA as > well. Just not to normal for the renin. What was the renin? > This is also called part of the Grim, Weinberger Protocol of testing. > > > From what I have read, if > > you have a tumor, saline will not lower your aldo level, at least not > > much. I read somewhere that if your salt intake is low, your > > aldosterone level will go up. In blood tests done in Feb, my NA > > level is 136 and my cloride level is 99 (low). My dr didn't give me > > any reason why my aldo was high, just said that it was secondary. > > > Secondary to what? What was the renin? If it is secondary the renin must > be high. > > > Now that I know that, I am guessing that my high aldo level (aldo 20; > > renin .9) could be because of the very heavy sweating that I am > > doing. > > > > No you have primary aldo of one type or another. See my article. > > > If anyone has been told that both adrenals are overproducing > > aldo but have a tumor, you should have a saline suppression test if > > you haven't had one. I do have a " nodule " on my left adrenal gland > > but my endo says that it is harmless because the saline suppressed my > > aldo level. In order to do the test, you have to be off of spiro for > > 6 weeks. > > > > I guess my step would be to find out what is causing the sweating. > > I cannot tolerate heat but my thyroid has been checked by an endo and > > is fine. My endo also thought that I had a parathyroid tumor but the > > last pth and calcium levels were OK, however my calcium has been high > > for years. That is the last I have heard from him, no suggestion of > > what to do next or anything. Does a parathyroid tumor cause > > sweating? > > > > > Not usually. > > > I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from > > menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be > > just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start > > sweating. It will happen even in the winter when the temp in my > > house is 68 and I am wearing a tee shirt. I cannot tolerate anyting > > with sleeves. Often I can feel the heat go down my back. Also when > > I am in the shower with cool water on my chest and stomach, when I > > turn around, it feels warm on my back. From what I could understand > > from my endo, my urine 5HIAA was a little high which indicates a > > serotonin-producing tumor which they could not find. Does anyone know > > if anything else can cause you to produce serotonin? The sweating > > any rise in bp started around the same time - 7 years ago. > > > 5HIAAs are not very reliable-esp if only a little high. > > Ask about your risk of stroke by increasing estrogens and read about the > Women's Health Study. > > > > > Fran > > > > > > > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 In a message dated 6/13/06 8:26:47 PM, frand.2@... writes: Dr. Grim, My endo said that since saline suppressed the aldo that meant that it was secondary, something other than an adrenal tumor was causing it but he didn't give me any idea as to what it was. He just said he would be happy to reevaluate me. I e-mailed him after the test to get the results so I have not seen him and see no point in going back. Fran Guess he hasnt seen many or done many Grim-Weinberger studies. May your pressure be low! CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2006 Report Share Posted June 13, 2006 Sorry, I had computer problems for a while and am trying to catch up but it takes time. Dr. Grim, My endo said that since saline suppressed the aldo that meant that it was secondary, something other than an adrenal tumor was causing it but he didn't give me any idea as to what it was. He just said he would be happy to reevaluate me. I e-mailed him after the test to get the results so I have not seen him and see no point in going back. Fran > > > In a message dated 6/7/06 3:33:04 PM, frand.2@... writes: > > > > One of the tests that I have read about is saline suppression where > > the give you a lot of salt and see what happens to your aldo level. > > My end did this test and said that saline lowered my aldo level > > therefore, I have secondary aldosteronism. > > > Well guess he hasn't studied many Primary ones. Aldo can go down in PA as > well. Just not to normal for the renin. What was the renin? > This is also called part of the Grim, Weinberger Protocol of testing. > > > From what I have read, if > > you have a tumor, saline will not lower your aldo level, at least not > > much. I read somewhere that if your salt intake is low, your > > aldosterone level will go up. In blood tests done in Feb, my NA > > level is 136 and my cloride level is 99 (low). My dr didn't give me > > any reason why my aldo was high, just said that it was secondary. > > > Secondary to what? What was the renin? If it is secondary the renin must > be high. > > > Now that I know that, I am guessing that my high aldo level (aldo 20; > > renin .9) could be because of the very heavy sweating that I am > > doing. > > > > No you have primary aldo of one type or another. See my article. > > > If anyone has been told that both adrenals are overproducing > > aldo but have a tumor, you should have a saline suppression test if > > you haven't had one. I do have a " nodule " on my left adrenal gland > > but my endo says that it is harmless because the saline suppressed my > > aldo level. In order to do the test, you have to be off of spiro for > > 6 weeks. > > > > I guess my step would be to find out what is causing the sweating. > > I cannot tolerate heat but my thyroid has been checked by an endo and > > is fine. My endo also thought that I had a parathyroid tumor but the > > last pth and calcium levels were OK, however my calcium has been high > > for years. That is the last I have heard from him, no suggestion of > > what to do next or anything. Does a parathyroid tumor cause > > sweating? > > > > > Not usually. > > > I am going to see a gyno on Mon to see if it could be from > > menopause although increasing my HRT does not help it. I will be > > just sitting and all of a sudden I start getting hot and start > > sweating. It will happen even in the winter when the temp in my > > house is 68 and I am wearing a tee shirt. I cannot tolerate anyting > > with sleeves. Often I can feel the heat go down my back. Also when > > I am in the shower with cool water on my chest and stomach, when I > > turn around, it feels warm on my back. From what I could understand > > from my endo, my urine 5HIAA was a little high which indicates a > > serotonin-producing tumor which they could not find. Does anyone know > > if anything else can cause you to produce serotonin? The sweating > > any rise in bp started around the same time - 7 years ago. > > > 5HIAAs are not very reliable-esp if only a little high. > > Ask about your risk of stroke by increasing estrogens and read about the > Women's Health Study. > > > > > Fran > > > > > > > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 In a message dated 6/16/06 3:52:54 PM, frand.2@... writes: I saw the new gyno on Mon and she said that the hot flashes are not caused by menopause since estrogen does not help them, even at the highest dose. That is what my current gyno said, too. She also said that I should not be taking estrogen at all because I have had a stroke. She agreed with me that the stroke was caused by my extremely high blood pressure. She said that estrogen can causse blood clots and therefore cause a stroke. To me it is apples and oranges. Since the hot flashes that I have when I go off of estrogen seem to trigger the other kind making my life pure Hell, I will keep taking it even if it kills me. It should be my decision, not hers. I am taking .3 mg 2 times a week so I doubt if there is much chance of it causing a stroke. It is amazing to me that just a couple of years ago, doctors thought that we had to take estrogen to prevent heart attacks. That is one reason I don't trust any medical studies. Fran Yeah and we used to take everyones tonsils out. Information changes every day it seems like. Suggest you read everything you can from the Women's Health Study on Estrogen and stroke. Then you can make a more informed decision. "That is one reason I don't trust any medical studies." So you think we cant learn anything new? May your pressure be low! C.E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D. Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 I saw the new gyno on Mon and she said that the hot flashes are not caused by menopause since estrogen does not help them, even at the highest dose. That is what my current gyno said, too. She also said that I should not be taking estrogen at all because I have had a stroke. She agreed with me that the stroke was caused by my extremely high blood pressure. She said that estrogen can causse blood clots and therefore cause a stroke. To me it is apples and oranges. Since the hot flashes that I have when I go off of estrogen seem to trigger the other kind making my life pure Hell, I will keep taking it even if it kills me. It should be my decision, not hers. I am taking .3 mg 2 times a week so I doubt if there is much chance of it causing a stroke. It is amazing to me that just a couple of years ago, doctors thought that we had to take estrogen to prevent heart attacks. That is one reason I don't trust any medical studies. Fran > Have you had an estradiol > test? > > > . > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 Dr. GrimSpiro does NOT control my bp, nothing does. It is usually around 150/75. I am not trying the new drug because of the headaches several people have reported. I am miserable enough now and don't need any more pain. Also I can't take any pain meds except Tylenol. I cannot believe that you don't know anything about secondary aldo. When my doctor told me that is what I had, I did some internet research to find out what causes secondary aldo. The causes that were listed are heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. I have had this for 7 years now and I assume if anything were failing, doctors would have discovered it by now. My endo is Dr. Carey at UVA, do you know him? I think it is the heavy sweating that I am doing all the time that is raising the aldo. One reason I believe this is that my NA level is always low. My question is what is causing the sweating? I guess that is what I will emphasize when I go to Hopkins next month. Fran > > > In a message dated 6/12/06 10:33:22 AM, frand.2@... writes: > > > > I will look for your paper, but you must understand that most of > > these papers are two technical for me to understand. In 20 words or > > less, what does it say??? > > > > Also as long as you can be controlled on Sprio or Eplerenone and DASHing then > I would not push for AVS either. > > You have early primary aldo perhaps what I call individual or personal > hyperaldosteronism. > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math), MS(Biochem), MD. > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 In a message dated 6/17/06 11:38:01 AM, frand.2@... writes: Dr. GrimSpiro does NOT control my bp, nothing does. It is usually around 150/75. I am not trying the new drug because of the headaches several people have reported. I am miserable enough now and don't need any more pain. Also I can't take any pain meds except Tylenol. I cannot believe that you don't know anything about secondary aldo. When my doctor told me that is what I had, I did some internet research to find out what causes secondary aldo. The causes that were listed are heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. I have had this for 7 years now and I assume if anything were failing, doctors would have discovered it by now. My endo is Dr. Carey at UVA, do you know him? Yes I do know him and I know about as much to know about 2nd aldo as anyone. What was your question? Secondary aldo does NOT occur with low renin. I think it is the heavy sweating that I am doing all the time that is raising the aldo. One reason I believe this is that my NA level is always low. My question is what is causing the sweating? I guess that is what I will emphasize when I go to Hopkins next month. Fran > > > In a message dated 6/12/06 10:33:22 AM, frand.2@... writes: > > > > I will look for your paper, but you must understand that most of > > these papers are two technical for me to understand. In 20 words or > > less, what does it say??? > > > > Also as long as you can be controlled on Sprio or Eplerenone and DASHing then > I would not push for AVS either. > > You have early primary aldo perhaps what I call individual or personal > hyperaldosteronism. > > > > May your pressure be low! > > CE Grim, BS(Chem/Math) CE Grim, BS(Chem/ > Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics and Hypertension > Former Epidemiologic Intelligence Services Officer (Lt. Comdr.), CDC > Specializing in Difficult to Manage High Blood Pressure > Clinical Professor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin > May your pressure be low! C.E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D. Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 In a message dated 6/17/06 8:08:14 PM, frand.2@... writes: > > He refuses to do AVS because he said it isn't > >indicated. He said that the nodule/tumor or > > whatever it is that showed up on the CT scan is > > harmless and not producing aldo Interesting. How does he know that? > > The report of my MRI was "small bilateral adrenal > masses that demonstrate the characteristics of > nonfunctioning adenomas". This report was one of the > reasons my Endo waffled so long on a diagnosis of PA, > despite the fact that I had most of the symptoms and > abnormal labs. But the Dr. at U of M told me that > there is no way to tell from a CT or MRI if an adenoma > is functional or not. The AVS proved that I had > bilateral hypersecretion. Go Blue! > > a May your pressure be low! C.E. Grim, B.S., M.S., M.D. Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2006 Report Share Posted June 17, 2006 a, Did you have a saline suppression test? Fran > > > He refuses to do AVS because he said it isn't > >indicated. He said that the nodule/tumor or > > whatever it is that showed up on the CT scan is > > harmless and not producing aldo > > The report of my MRI was " small bilateral adrenal > masses that demonstrate the characteristics of > nonfunctioning adenomas " . This report was one of the > reasons my Endo waffled so long on a diagnosis of PA, > despite the fact that I had most of the symptoms and > abnormal labs. But the Dr. at U of M told me that > there is no way to tell from a CT or MRI if an adenoma > is functional or not. The AVS proved that I had > bilateral hypersecretion. > > a > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2006 Report Share Posted June 18, 2006 No. The last time I saw the Endo he wanted to do oral salt loading tests which I guess is basically the same. He told me to go off all meds for 6 weeks except for Norvasc (which of course did nothing for my BP), take three 1 Gm salt pills three times a day for 3 days then repeat all the tests. After 3 weeks off meds my BP was sky-high, I had muscle cramping and weakness and was having a lot of premature heart beats. Of course I must have been hypokalemic and I'm amazed that he didn't even bother to monitor my K+ during this time. I called my Primary, who didn't know what the Endo had ordered, and told him I felt so bad I didn't think I could do this for another 3 weeks. He basically said - this is ridiculous, go back on all previous meds immediately and you're going to U of M for an evaluation. Why doctors are so hesitant in diagnosing PA is a mystery to me. The Endo knew that I: 1. Had a long-standing history of HTN uncontrolled by multiple meds. 2. Became hypokalemic when I was off spiro 3. BP went >200 when I was off spiro 4. Had bilateral adrenal adenomas per MRI 5. Had a aldosterone/PRA ratio >20 twice 6. Had a high normal aldosterone/PRA ratio once, and that seems to be what he focused on. If I had know then what I know about PA I could have diagnosed myself. In retrospect, this seems to be a very dangerous test to order on someone who is a suspected PA, at least to me. Six weeks of a sky-high BP and hypokalemia could have fatal consequences. I am thankful that my Primary insisted that I go to U of M, I have the feeling that I'd probably still be having " just one more test " if I was still seeing the Endo. The doctor there looked over my test results and talked to me for over an hour. He's one of the few doctors took the time to listen to what I was saying. He said I didn't need any more tests, that by looking at what I'd already had and listening to what I was saying that he knew I had PA. I can't tell you what an overwhelming sense of relief I felt just to get a diagnosis and to know that what I had actually had a name. He recommended AVS with the rationale that it might be a unilateral thing that could be helped by surgery but it showed a bilateral hypersecretion. Everyone's story here is so similar. Years of improper treatment and lack of a diagnosis, multiple repeated expensive tests and multiple doctors. No wonder the cost of health care is so high. It's unfortunate that we have to keeping going from doctor to doctor until we find one that knows something about PA. I sincerely hope the guy at Hopkins can help you. If the only rationale for not doing AVS is that your adenoma appeared non-functioning on CT, that is wrong. Good luck, a --- pagirl1946 <frand.2@...> wrote: > a, > > Did you have a saline suppression test? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2006 Report Share Posted June 18, 2006 > > > In a message dated 6/17/06 11:38:01 AM, frand.2@... writes: > > > > Dr Grim, Apparently Dr Carey doesn't know that secondary aldo doesn't occur with low renin. I will take that up with the endo at Hopkins next month. I am starting to get the idea that NO ONE knows much about aldo. Everybody seems to have an opinion but they don't all seem to agree on the facts. Hopkins will be the third medical school I have gone to and if I am losing any hope of answers there. I am seriously thinking about accupuncture. Why not, I have tried conventional doctors (over 20) with no help. Frn > > I cannot believe that you don't know anything about secondary aldo. > > When my doctor told me that is what I had, I did some internet > > research to find out what causes secondary aldo. The causes that > > were listed are heart failure, kidney failure or liver failure. I > > have had this for 7 years now and I assume if anything were failing, > > doctors would have discovered it by now. My endo is Dr. Carey > > at UVA, do you know him? > > > Yes I do know him and I know about as much to know about 2nd aldo as anyone. > What was your question? > > Secondary aldo does NOT occur with low renin. > > >> > Fran > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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