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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
High levels of DHEA, ACTH, Prolactin, Cortisol and TSH
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
High levels of DHEA, ACTH, Prolactin, Cortisol and TSH
by poisontw1214, Jul 09, 2007 12:00AM
I had bloodwork done in March that showed my DHEA at 1490. My TSH was in the normal range, but went up. It was 1.5 in November and went up to 4.6 in March. I had some more recent bloodwork to try and find out why my DHEA was so high. This bloodwork showed my TSH still at 4.6 and my T4 and T3 were normal. However, my DHEA is now up to 2297 and my Cortisol, Prolactin and ACTH are within the normal range, but they are only 3 or 4 point from being high.
Prolactin 25.9 (range 2.8 - 29.2)
Cortisol 18.4 (range 3.1 - 22.4)
ACTH 45 (range 6 - 48)
My DHEA-S is 186 which is within the normal range.
I have been having multiple symptoms including weight gain and inability to lose weight, hirsutism, frequent headaches and fatique. One other symptom I have which may or may not be related is my feet turn dark purple. This is not temputure related and they return to normal color when raised.
I have been to many doctors over the past two years trying to find some answers and have only found more unusual symptoms and hormone levels. Do you have any suggestions that may help me find some answers?
Prolactin 25.9 (range 2.8 - 29.2)
Cortisol 18.4 (range 3.1 - 22.4)
ACTH 45 (range 6 - 48)
My DHEA-S is 186 which is within the normal range.
I have been having multiple symptoms including weight gain and inability to lose weight, hirsutism, frequent headaches and fatique. One other symptom I have which may or may not be related is my feet turn dark purple. This is not temputure related and they return to normal color when raised.
I have been to many doctors over the past two years trying to find some answers and have only found more unusual symptoms and hormone levels. Do you have any suggestions that may help me find some answers?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Jul 10, 2007 12:00AM
, Jul 10, 2007 12:00AM
DHEA-s is the best way to measure DHEA - so the normal DHEA-s is re-assuring. DHEA levels are unstable, and should not be measured directly in most cases.
Would check thyroid antibodies as you may have hashimoto's but most likely you have PCOS/insulin resistance as the primary cause of your symptoms. This may be related to hypothyroidism, but addressing a possible thyroid problem will help, but not solve all these issues.
Would check thyroid antibodies as you may have hashimoto's but most likely you have PCOS/insulin resistance as the primary cause of your symptoms. This may be related to hypothyroidism, but addressing a possible thyroid problem will help, but not solve all these issues.
Member Comments (2)
by cosmicsoul, Jul 09, 2007 12:00AM
FYI - a healthy thyroid has a TSH of 1.
by joan228, Apr 25, 2008 12:03PM
A related discussion, high levels of DHEA was started.
