Pituitary tumor

Hi   I,m 48 yr old woman...was  diagnosed at least 10 years ago with microadenoma pituitary tumor.....have taken parlodel and dostinex over the years but not always consistently....I have REALLY been noticing my hair thinning.....Its getting  frightfully thin and dermatologist seem to shrug when I mention the pituitary tumor  or meds as a possible reason....

Can someone please help!!!!

[SarahB79]

my pituitary tumor caused some thyroid problems and hair loss.  Have your dr. run some test for thyroid function.  Be sure they include thyroid antibodies.  I have Hashimotos.  :-)

[rumpled]

Agree - it seems that with one hormone issue, you tend to get others (like potato chips only not as nice?)...

It can also be a male/female hormone issue - the off balance of testosterone. That will make your hair go nuts.

I went to the derm to ask questions and specifically asked for one that knew endocrinology. I just got paired with the next open doctor and the doc had no clue when I said my tan was from high ACTH, not from being in the sun (it was December, hello!) and trying to get answers about what to do about the age spots was just the response - *stay out of the sun* Grrrrrr... They had no clue about pituitary tumors. Told me to come back in a year.

[pattysb]

Thanks for your feedback.....yeah...its beyond frusterating.....I actually work in sales for a pharmacuetical company so you think I would have a better insight as to who's on top of things...but not the case... Ive have had my endocrinologist run blood work but everything seems to be in the "normal" range...  (by the way...he looks like a bowling ball!) so I don't think he gets it at all!!!!

Another possible pituitary issue I have had....is approx 7-8 times over the last several years is that I would start feeling "off"  for a few days...then I would start to feel shaky and trembling throughout my entire body.....this would continue for probably a week....sort of like a an anxiety or panic attack..but not one....very hard to explain...I am the non complaiant patient I tell all my doctors about, so I ,m not sure if its related to taking or not taking my parlodel on a regular basis....

[rumpled]

Hormones can cycle. Although, I have been told by many endos that it does not happen and one booted me for responding *what about periods*? LOL...

I had cyclical pituitary Cushing's disease with a bonus prolactinoma. I was told that I had neither - to ignore it all and that maybe I had a thyroid problem. I was given diet pills, and every color thyroid pill* and acne pills and anti-depression pills and anti-fungal pills and this pill and that pill... somehow I never got better but the docs said it was me. I was a compliant patient and my job at work was, get this, compliance officer. But I was called a liar and all sorts of things which was annoying when my career was ethics and compliance.  

* I took all my colorful pills lately and glued them to a tray I painted - it looks pretty... heh heh heh...

[pattysb]

oh god.....you cracked me up with the pill tray.....i,m actually not supposed to be laughing right now but that was good....you see on top of the pituitary thing...the end of oct I was dignosed with breast cancer...thank god early stage...but still....had mastectomy and immeadiate reconstruction with my own tissue (they take it from your lower stomach)on left breast...got out on xmas day...cant barely move...boob hurts, stomach hurts lower back hurts...but the chuckle was well worth it!!!!.....yeah I think my md thinks I,m a bit of a nut case sometimes...i think i,m just very intune with my body and I know when something is not right....the breast cancer thing i have to admit came as a complete shock....not a symptom, lump or bump!

[rumpled]

Oh Geez! I am sorry! I will keep my humor in check!
Glad you are in tune with the body - yowza!
Recovery bites... hope yours is fast!