Possible pituitary problems

I have a compressed sella that was diagnosed incidental to an MRI for Pseudo Tumor Cerebri that I have had for two years now.  The doctor says more than likely the increased CSF is compressing the sella and there seems to be no tumors apparent on the MRI.  All the reading I have done tells me that I have hypothyroidsim which can be caused by a pituitatry problem but the doctor says my thyroid test come back normal.  I have almost every symptom of hypothyroisim and we are waiting on a 24hr cortisol urine test to come back.  So far I have lots of symptoms and no diagnosis.  Do you have any suggestions or insight?  The doctor said he thinks the cortisol test will come back normal as well.  What is wrong with me?

[rumpled]

Are you seeing a regular endocrinologist or a neuro-endo?

If you are seeing a regular endo - the endo has no idea what he is doing perhaps - what thyroid tests are being done? TSH and T4? If that, then that is useless.

When your pituitary is compressed - and it probably is, then the pituitary is being impacted. Growth hormone is often the first hormone to go - has that been tested? That has a lot of the same symptoms of Cushing's.

Nice that the doc is predicting the results - plus you need do several sets of tests in order to diagnose Cushing's.

Get copies of what you have, and find a competent neuro-endo.

[enzymelover]

Hi! I wanted to tell you both about something I recently read concerning blood hormone levels and growth hormone deficiency.

This statement is from Dr. Paul Cheney, the Chronic Fatigue doctor in NC., and is based on the research of a Greta Moorkins of Antwerp, Belgium. Her work is entitled "Endocrine and Metabolic Aspects of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". Dr. Cheney states that lack of growth hormone can cause all other hormones to be ineffective, even though they are AT NORMAL LEVELS in the blood. This happens because growth hormone is necessary for the proper functioning of the cell receptor sites, where the other hormones take effect.

I think this is a very profound statement. If it is true, then all those people who still feel sick and still have symptoms, even though their blood tests are in the normal range, may have undetected or untreated growth hormone deficiency as a factor in their continuing illness. With pituitary dysfunction, patients are more likely to get a GH test than others with other causes of endocrine dysfunction.
This finding suggests that GH testing is imperative with all hormone blood testing, and if found to be low, GH replacement needs to be considered as part of treatment.

[enzymelover]

I just want to add that the above info about GH and hormone blood test levels is not new. That research was done over 10 years ago.
Giving growth hormone is being considered now by many doctors, who feel it does lead to better recovery of many conditions. It's definitely "food for thought".

[rumpled]

Ranges are ranges - and a good doc will or at least should evaluate what you should be at - like thyroid should be at the bottom for TSH and top for the others, and GH should be a bit higher on replacements, etc. Alas, few do - it seems so many ignore the ranges (why have them!) or want results way above or below in order to act, rather than open their eyes, look at the patient and see what the results are on the patient in question.

Cortisol suppresses GH and so when you have Cushing's you often get both diseases - it is a double whammy. However, some of us on GH replacement love it, others are eh... not worth it - did not feel a difference. I do.