Association of hypothyroidism and pheochromocytomas

[Elisamatt]

Hello:

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism secondary to Hashimoto's thyroiditis about four years ago.  In retrospect, I had probably been episodically hypothyroid for years.  I am currently on Synthroid 150 ug/day and Cytomel 12.5 ug/day and doing better than before.  

However, I have developed extreme urinary frequency and urgency over the last several years--minimally responsive even to Sanctura XR 20 mg./day.

I had urodynamic studies done yesterday and the EMG showed episodic increased intra-abdominal pressure and an atonic bladder.  

I have no reasons to have an atonic bladder.  Urodynamic studies done about three years ago (tho' the urologist wasn't present in the room and it was read by a technician) were consistent, or so I was told, with "hyperactive bladder" syndrome.  

The urologist I recently consulted said that she had not seen this kind of combination except in paraplegic individuals--I'm not paraplegic.  

However, in 1965, my sister was found to have a pheochromocytoma--and her right kidney, adrenal cortex and medulla were removed.

I don't think that follow-up studies were done on her siblings--i.e. me.

I also have narcolepsy and intrinsic and obstructive sleep apnea--the intrinsic thought to be due to the hypothyroidism, even though I have been euthyroid for at least 2 years (TSH=0.15; Free T4=1.8; Free T3=4.44) and the obstructive thought to be due to a 30 pound weight gain due to hypothyroid induced decreased metabolism.  Could I now have a pheochromocytoma.  BTW: I am an MD. Thanks.