Guest guest Posted May 30, 2003 Report Share Posted May 30, 2003 If you have pituitary problems, it may be the pituitary causing the suppressed TSH not the armour. I have pituitary problems - in the form of a 4mm tumor - I have suppressed TSH .06 and I am on 2 grains Armour - my doc (NOT AN ENDO) goes by Free t4 numbers & the older thyroid panels and by how I feel. (I am working on getting him to run free t3). If you aren't happy with what your Endo is doing - why don't you change docs??? (I know easier said then done - but it is doable) I tried several before I found a keeper - Dr. Hill a DO - he's my PCP and will be treating my thyroid - I will be seeing him again in July and discussing what to do and who to see about the pituitary check up at that time - usually done yearly - complete blood panel and MRI - he may do it, but if there is any changes then I'll have to see a specialist and right now I am leaning towards the specialist(there is a whole department for pituitary problems) at MD as that is who www.pituitary.org recommends. At this point if the " bleeping " thing changes - more than likely they'll recommend removal so I'll go to the best. Janie -- Re:Adrenal Testing > Dear Jan, I'm not sure if I posted my last message correctly because it didn't show up on the board. Anyway, in a nutshell, My son will be on testim, a testosterone cream. I think he took him off thyroid hormone, because his TSH was suppressed with Armour in order to bring up his Ft4 level, which was still at the very bottom of normal range. His Total T3 was high and he was uncomfortable with this. I believe this was because he was on once a day dosing. (2.5 grains in the morning. He does not test Free Levels but just uses the typical Thyroid Profile. He doesn't discuss his decision making with me, just tells us what to do. I really want copies of all of our labs, but feel too overwhelmed by all this. I mean it was just last week that I took him for the MRI to rule out the tumour. He had a reaction the valium, which increases the effect of GABA in the pit. GABA is the main regulator for the pit. He acted like he was having a total mental breakdown. I came close to taking him to the hospital. Anyway, I need to be able to cope with all this, that is why I need my adrenals tested and need to make sure I am on enough thyroid hormone. My appt. is in an hr. so I really need documentation that she will respect to justify the adrenal testing. Thanks, Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 30, 2003 Report Share Posted May 30, 2003 Dear Jan, I'm not sure if I posted my last message correctly because it didn't show up on the board. Anyway, in a nutshell, My son will be on testim, a testosterone cream. I think he took him off thyroid hormone, because his TSH was suppressed with Armour in order to bring up his Ft4 level, which was still at the very bottom of normal range. His Total T3 was high and he was uncomfortable with this. I believe this was because he was on once a day dosing. (2.5 grains in the morning. He does not test Free Levels but just uses the typical Thyroid Profile. He doesn't discuss his decision making with me, just tells us what to do. I really want copies of all of our labs, but feel too overwhelmed by all this. I mean it was just last week that I took him for the MRI to rule out the tumour. He had a reaction the valium, which increases the effect of GABA in the pit. GABA is the main regulator for the pit. He acted like he was having a total mental breakdown. I came close to taking him to the hospital. Anyway, I need to be able to cope with all this, that is why I need my adrenals tested and need to make sure I am on enough thyroid hormone. My appt. is in an hr. so I really need documentation that she will respect to justify the adrenal testing. Thanks, Carolyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Dear Janie, The reason I haven't changed doctors is because the panhypopituitary diagnosis just came about three weeks ago. I had waited 3 months to get my son in to see this doctor. Because he needs all his hormones I have felt I had to follow his advice until I could get him in to see a Pediatric Endo. The correct amt. of each hormone is too important at this point to just ignore while I get in to see a specialist. Anyway, that is why I haven't changed doctors. I did get a referral form sent to a Pediatric Endo., they have to okay it and schedule the appt. if I go with him. It has only been a week since I found out that he didn't have a tumor. I didn't even know for sure I didn't like this doc. until he got back with us last Fri. Thanks for the support, Carolyn Last w Within that period of > If you have pituitary problems, it may be the pituitary causing the suppressed TSH not the armour. I have pituitary problems - in the form of a 4mm tumor - I have suppressed TSH .06 and I am on 2 grains Armour - my doc (NOT AN ENDO) goes by Free t4 numbers & the older thyroid panels and by how I feel. (I am working on getting him to run free t3). If you aren't happy with what your Endo is doing - why don't you change docs??? (I know easier said then done - but it is doable) I tried several before I found a keeper - Dr. Hill a DO - he's my PCP and will be treating my thyroid - I will be seeing him again in July and discussing what to do and who to see about the pituitary check up at that time - usually done yearly - complete blood panel and MRI - he may do it, but if there is any changes then I'll have to see a specialist and right now I am leaning towards the specialist(there is a whole department for pituitary problems) at MD as that is who www.pituitary.org recommends. At this point if the " bleeping " thing changes - more than likely they'll recommend removal so I'll go to the best. > > Janie > -- Re:Adrenal Testing > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Carolyn Well hang in there. I do know that not all tumors show up on MRI's so you may want him retested over time. I am fortunate that mine has always shown up big as day with clearly defined borders - it's not always that way. I have corresponded with a lady with Cushing's that when she had her surgery the doctor never even knew for sure where her tumor was - it never showed on the MRI's at all - but they knew it was there somewhere - and sure enough it was. So they don't always show up - they can be very very small, but cause great havoc. Good luck - your in Houston right - later I will try to find the list of Pituitary Specialist I have and post it for you - just in case. I do know that for me if mine shows anymore changes - it did show a slight change last year from 3mm to 4mm I will get in MD Pituitary center for opinion and if it has to come out, I do have a surgeon also already picked out. Fortunately also Houston also has one of the tops for this. There is only about 8 in the US that I would ever consider with the tops in NY, LA, NIH, Memphis and Houston. See how the ped endo is, but if your not happy with that doctor either your best bet may be with a pituitary specialist. I may try to see Dr. Gagel next myself for a second (actually fifth opinion on my tumor) He is at MD and is recommended by pituitary.org. Janie iamdeterminedalso wrote: Dear Janie, The reason I haven't changed doctors is because the panhypopituitary diagnosis just came about three weeks ago. I had waited 3 months to get my son in to see this doctor. Because he needs all his hormones I have felt I had to follow his advice until I could get him in to see a Pediatric Endo. The correct amt. of each hormone is too important at this point to just ignore while I get in to see a specialist. Anyway, that is why I haven't changed doctors. I did get a referral form sent to a Pediatric Endo., they have to okay it and schedule the appt. if I go with him. It has only been a week since I found out that he didn't have a tumor. I didn't even know for sure I didn't like this doc. until he got back with us last Fri. Thanks for the support, Carolyn Last w Within that period of > If you have pituitary problems, it may be the pituitary causing the suppressed TSH not the armour. I have pituitary problems - in the form of a 4mm tumor - I have suppressed TSH .06 and I am on 2 grains Armour - my doc (NOT AN ENDO) goes by Free t4 numbers & the older thyroid panels and by how I feel. (I am working on getting him to run free t3). If you aren't happy with what your Endo is doing - why don't you change docs??? (I know easier said then done - but it is doable) I tried several before I found a keeper - Dr. Hill a DO - he's my PCP and will be treating my thyroid - I will be seeing him again in July and discussing what to do and who to see about the pituitary check up at that time - usually done yearly - complete blood panel and MRI - he may do it, but if there is any changes then I'll have to see a specialist and right now I am leaning towards the specialist(there is a whole department for pituitary problems) at MD as that is who www.pituitary.org recommends. At this point if the "bleeping" thing changes - more than likely they'll recommend removal so I'll go to the best. > > Janie > -- Re:Adrenal Testing > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 31, 2003 Report Share Posted May 31, 2003 Carolyn Well hang in there. I do know that not all tumors show up on MRI's so you may want him retested over time. I am fortunate that mine has always shown up big as day with clearly defined borders - it's not always that way. I have corresponded with a lady with Cushing's that when she had her surgery the doctor never even knew for sure where her tumor was - it never showed on the MRI's at all - but they knew it was there somewhere - and sure enough it was. So they don't always show up - they can be very very small, but cause great havoc. Good luck - your in Houston right - later I will try to find the list of Pituitary Specialist I have and post it for you - just in case. I do know that for me if mine shows anymore changes - it did show a slight change last year from 3mm to 4mm I will get in MD Pituitary center for opinion and if it has to come out, I do have a surgeon also already picked out. Fortunately also Houston also has one of the tops for this. There is only about 8 in the US that I would ever consider with the tops in NY, LA, NIH, Memphis and Houston. See how the ped endo is, but if your not happy with that doctor either your best bet may be with a pituitary specialist. I may try to see Dr. Gagel next myself for a second (actually fifth opinion on my tumor) He is at MD and is recommended by pituitary.org. Janie iamdeterminedalso wrote: Dear Janie, The reason I haven't changed doctors is because the panhypopituitary diagnosis just came about three weeks ago. I had waited 3 months to get my son in to see this doctor. Because he needs all his hormones I have felt I had to follow his advice until I could get him in to see a Pediatric Endo. The correct amt. of each hormone is too important at this point to just ignore while I get in to see a specialist. Anyway, that is why I haven't changed doctors. I did get a referral form sent to a Pediatric Endo., they have to okay it and schedule the appt. if I go with him. It has only been a week since I found out that he didn't have a tumor. I didn't even know for sure I didn't like this doc. until he got back with us last Fri. Thanks for the support, Carolyn Last w Within that period of > If you have pituitary problems, it may be the pituitary causing the suppressed TSH not the armour. I have pituitary problems - in the form of a 4mm tumor - I have suppressed TSH .06 and I am on 2 grains Armour - my doc (NOT AN ENDO) goes by Free t4 numbers & the older thyroid panels and by how I feel. (I am working on getting him to run free t3). If you aren't happy with what your Endo is doing - why don't you change docs??? (I know easier said then done - but it is doable) I tried several before I found a keeper - Dr. Hill a DO - he's my PCP and will be treating my thyroid - I will be seeing him again in July and discussing what to do and who to see about the pituitary check up at that time - usually done yearly - complete blood panel and MRI - he may do it, but if there is any changes then I'll have to see a specialist and right now I am leaning towards the specialist(there is a whole department for pituitary problems) at MD as that is who www.pituitary.org recommends. At this point if the "bleeping" thing changes - more than likely they'll recommend removal so I'll go to the best. > > Janie > -- Re:Adrenal Testing > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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