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Pituitary Dynamic Test
Can someone please tell me what to expect when I go have my Dynamic Test? It is the first time that I get one and I had never heard of one. I was just told by the Dr's secretary that it would be a test that would take the whole day and that I had to be fasting. I am a very anxious person...and I just learned through the internet the purpose of this test. I looked everywhere to read about what it is like while a person is getting it done or something to help me get ready for that day. I have not been able to find a single thing. Please I would appreciate anyones help.
Take a magazine or book. Puzzles or things.
At the time I had it, I did not have a cell that texted - so I got a few magazines and just talked with my hubby.
They will not give you results for a week or so.
My tests all came out weird. I failed all stim tests for cortisol - yet that was my main problem, and failed the growth hormone test - so I have that too. So the tests are not perfect.
Relax - for the most part - most people feel cold, alas, some people do get sick to the stomach but it does depend on the stim agent and I have no idea what they are giving you.
At the time I had it, I did not have a cell that texted - so I got a few magazines and just talked with my hubby.
They will not give you results for a week or so.
My tests all came out weird. I failed all stim tests for cortisol - yet that was my main problem, and failed the growth hormone test - so I have that too. So the tests are not perfect.
Relax - for the most part - most people feel cold, alas, some people do get sick to the stomach but it does depend on the stim agent and I have no idea what they are giving you.
Thank you so much:) I will accept that my husband goes with me:) It will kill me just the fact that I won't have my cellphone with me so at least I could text to my friends!And you are right...if I'm not doing a single thing to keep me busy my head starts thinking too much;most of the times I tend to be thinking on negative things; so it is best if I am distracted:) Oh well...16 days until I get the test done. I will be posting back with my experience.
Thank God that I found this webpage and for you being here Rumpled, at least now I know what I will be experiencing:) Thanks again:)
Thank God that I found this webpage and for you being here Rumpled, at least now I know what I will be experiencing:) Thanks again:)
I would take a bit of food with you so you can eat right afterward. If you are getting this in the hospital, you may be able to get food there, but I would take a granola bar and/or some fruit to get your blood sugars back up.
They should have the blankets.
It may be best if your husband is there. They are supposed to have someone in the room with you at all times - but sometimes that does not work out, so it is best to have someone with you so he can get the nurse/doctor to get the draws on time, get water, etc. My hubby went with me, too. Besides, then you have someone to talk too - it is boring to sit there wondering what is going on!
They should have the blankets.
It may be best if your husband is there. They are supposed to have someone in the room with you at all times - but sometimes that does not work out, so it is best to have someone with you so he can get the nurse/doctor to get the draws on time, get water, etc. My hubby went with me, too. Besides, then you have someone to talk too - it is boring to sit there wondering what is going on!
Thanks so much...maybe that is what they will do to me. But the only different this is that I was told that I would be in the hospital the whole day. Thank you for the advice that I might get cold....I already get cold for no reason:( My husband told me he would take the day off from work to go with me, but I guess its better I just tell him to go to work and meet me after the test. We move around by subway here in Montreal, I guess its best if that day we take the car. If they use glucose it will stress me out more of what I am already? I already suffer from post-traumatic stres...I am hanging from a cliff:(
No...I've had my Mri's already. The secretary described this test that they take out blood and put in blood with certain hormones to see how the gland reacts. I was so confused. I looked on the interned and this is what I found that the test is:
Dynamic pituitary testing is a time consuming and high cost investigation.
The pituitary gland is often called the "master control gland" because it regulates the activity and function of most other glands in the body. The primary hormones produced by the pituitary gland are adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. (For information on each hormone's role within the body, visit the Overview.)
To determine if the pituitary gland is functioning correctly, measurements of the hormones it produces are taken. This is a complicated process in which hormones are assessed using a variety of tests that add, block, or remove hormones from the bloodstream. This is known as dynamic pituitary testing. Our endocrinologists perform these tests to aid in diagnosis as well as to measure pituitary function before and after surgery. The tests can also help physicians devise a plan of treatment. The type of treatment depends upon whether the tumor is functional and, if so, which hormone it secretes. Treatment options may include surgery, medication, and radiation therapy, either alone or in combination.
One important function of the pituitary gland is the ability to secrete, or release, excess hormones in times of stress. Examples of this are when the body is fighting infection or when a person needs to elevate his or her blood pressure quickly. This function is called "reserve capacity." Determining the pituitary gland's reserve capacity for specific hormones is one of the main reasons for performing dynamic pituitary testing.
And I found other pages that explain it...but so far I haven't found a single article of someone's personal experience with this test. oh yes! I also found out that it also takes the name of "triple bolus test."
Dynamic pituitary testing is a time consuming and high cost investigation.
The pituitary gland is often called the "master control gland" because it regulates the activity and function of most other glands in the body. The primary hormones produced by the pituitary gland are adrenocorticotropic hormone, growth hormone, prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone. (For information on each hormone's role within the body, visit the Overview.)
To determine if the pituitary gland is functioning correctly, measurements of the hormones it produces are taken. This is a complicated process in which hormones are assessed using a variety of tests that add, block, or remove hormones from the bloodstream. This is known as dynamic pituitary testing. Our endocrinologists perform these tests to aid in diagnosis as well as to measure pituitary function before and after surgery. The tests can also help physicians devise a plan of treatment. The type of treatment depends upon whether the tumor is functional and, if so, which hormone it secretes. Treatment options may include surgery, medication, and radiation therapy, either alone or in combination.
One important function of the pituitary gland is the ability to secrete, or release, excess hormones in times of stress. Examples of this are when the body is fighting infection or when a person needs to elevate his or her blood pressure quickly. This function is called "reserve capacity." Determining the pituitary gland's reserve capacity for specific hormones is one of the main reasons for performing dynamic pituitary testing.
And I found other pages that explain it...but so far I haven't found a single article of someone's personal experience with this test. oh yes! I also found out that it also takes the name of "triple bolus test."
I have heard of a dynamic MRI - but that just means the MRI is normal with and without contrast but that instead of pulling you out to give you the contrast, you get the contrast in the machine so they can take the images of the uptake. This way smaller tumors can be detected. But I never had to fast for that, and they want you to drink due to the contrast as it helps cleans the kidneys of the contrast.
A pituitary MRI also does not take all day.
I have had, what I thought, most pituitary tests (I had a couple pituitary tumors myself) and I have not heard of that. I think they have told you the wrong name. I know some tests take a long time - but if they do, then you would have had to take some medications ahead of time, like dex, every six hours for days ahead of time. Even that takes a few hours.
What does the script say?
A pituitary MRI also does not take all day.
I have had, what I thought, most pituitary tests (I had a couple pituitary tumors myself) and I have not heard of that. I think they have told you the wrong name. I know some tests take a long time - but if they do, then you would have had to take some medications ahead of time, like dex, every six hours for days ahead of time. Even that takes a few hours.
What does the script say?
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What they usually do is put you in a room and let you sit and relax. They put a line in so they can take multiple draws. They take a couple of baseline draws and later they give you an *agent* to stimulate the pituitary, then every 30 minutes, take another draw. It can last 2 hours or so.
I went for mine on different days for different hormones as one agent may/will interfere with the other tests - once the pituitary is up and going, it is hard to see how they can do multiple tests. As well, they have to do different agents - unless they use glucose and just stress you out. Be sure to bring someone who can drive you home.
You are supposed to fast for the test - and not exercise the day before stimulation tests.
Some people feel ok, some get sick - depending on the agent used. Some get cold - so ask for a blanket. Ask for something to drink - you can have water during the test. Eat after the test. Rest after the test.