Does this look like a pituitary tumor? (images inside)

[lowbrainpower]

I have been having blurry vision, debilitating fatigue, and extreme brain fog/cognitive problems for several years.  I am in such bad mental shape that I can't even remember where I am half the time, since I have no sense of time or space, and all of my senses are dulled.

I have been tested for low testosterone several times, and I want to figure out WHY.

I have attached a link to five photos on 'imageupper.com' of my pituitary from a recent MRI.  I am too confused at the moment because my eyes can't seem to focus, and was hoping someone could tell me if this was pituitary related or not.

http://imageupper.com/g/?S020001008L1357534803218568

Thank you so much,

lowbrainpower

[rumpled]

Your endo seems to not be able to put together some basics - low T and high cortisol is pretty standard for Cushing's syndrome.  It IS a problem - but for some reason, most endos cannot and will not diagnose the disease like there is a weird limit that they cannot because the quota has been reached for the year...

They have to test more to find the source and it can take quite a bit of testing to find the source and the diagnosis. It is quite complex. I had Cushing's myself. I know a lot of people with it - and most of us take years and many doctors to get to the bottom of it. You do have to find an expert.

[lowbrainpower]

Still struggling with crippling fatigue as well as all other symptoms.  I had a 24 hour urine cortisol test which came back extremely high.  I did this test 3 times and the endo said that it was nothing to worry about.  What an idiot.

I've since seen 2 other endos and none of them can give me a solid answer on why my cortisol is so high.  They seem to not think this is a problem.

When a patient comes into your office complaining of symptoms that make his quality of life zero, you'd think that you'd go a little deeper!

Do you have any idea on what could be causing cortisol levels to be this high?

[rumpled]

It is tough to battle this when you least feel like it. Been there, done that.

[lowbrainpower]

Thank you for your help.  I'm dumbfounded at the lack of intelligence that seems to be foundation of the medical profession.  I was smart and booked four different endo appointments this week with four different doctors in order to doctor shop.

Let's just say that when I asked the first endo why he kept insisting on TSH when it clearly doesn't show the whole picture, he ignored me.  I kept asking for Free T3 and Free T4 and he didn't give me an answer.

I don't know.... but in my experience with life, usually when you don't know something you get fired.  I guess this doesn't work when it really matters (the health of other human beings).

It doesn't help that I am so strung out and too tired (ie. don't have the right hormones) to be a man and fight him.  I guess it's back to high doses of adderall to get to my appointments and have the strength to fight for my life (literally).

Thanks again for the help, I really do appreciate your time.

[rumpled]

Your case is too difficult??? They have not even done enough to determine that? Wow...

They should check all adrogens - estrogen, LH, FSH, and the full bio-available testosterone which should include sex binding hormone and dhea so that covers all forms and sources.

TSH alone is pretty useless - that only tests what the pituitary is telling the thyroid to do - not what the thyroid is doing with it - so bleah IMHO. I know for some odd reason the docs think it is the gold standard, but it just seems like half (or rather 1/3) the pic - you also need the storage (t4) and usage (t3) of what the thyroid does in order to get a full picture and the Free tests are better if you read up.

So it takes a bit of testing and more complete testing to really know what is at fault. Some of the health pages links can help you as well.

[lowbrainpower]

LH and FSH have not been tested.  When I mention a full hormone panel the doctor says this case is too difficult and I should be referred elsewhere.  I'm tired of other people being an authority over my health when they are too incompetent to do basic bloodwork.

Here are the tests I've had:
MRI
MRV
TSH test

Currently waiting on others.  I have seen countless doctors of all specialties.  

Thank you for your help.  I am going to push for the LH and FSH testing today.

[rumpled]

With the low T - has LH and FSH been tested - as those are pituitary tests and would give you a clue if the pituitary is involved. There is also cortisol that can lower T as well. In other words there can be several sources in the pituitary to cause low T as well as other reasons. It could also be other hormones of other issues. What testing has been done besides the MRI?

We are patients - so unless it is a really obvious one, probably cannot pick it up. I did not see anything.

Have you seen an eye doc - had visual fields?