TSH staying low-Tumor?

[myohno]

Previously I was told that I just might have some thyroid issues and there was an error in antibody readings they gave me. Yesterday, I was told by my PCP, that he thinks I have a Pituitary tumor. My readings are as follows:
TSH - .24
Free T3 - 5.1                                     (2.77-5.27)  
Free T4 - .90                                     (0.78-2.19)              
LH - 57.2                                          (14.0-95.6 Midcycle)
Prolactin - 17.2                                 (2.8-26)
Thyrobglob AB - .9                            (0.0-14.4)
TPO AB <0.3                                    (0.0-3.9)
TSH Receptor AB - 7                         (0-9)

He has repeated my tests 3 times and each time my TSH has been low, and each time my T3 & T4 have been normal which is why he says the tumor. I have an MRI on Oct 2nd and I'm worried. I have been sick for 3 years, I was even in Congestive Heart Failure when they first realized I was really sick. Then they got that under control but I have not been well since! I can't tell you how many times, I've had strep throat, then virus after virus, I've been on more antibiotics than a person should be and it scares me!!! I have lost over 45 pounds and I feel like I'm on pins and needles all the time! I have to tell myself to relax because if I don't pay attention to myself, I find my head, down into my shoulders and the muscles so tense that I get horrible headaches! I'm stressed all the time and I cannot stand the cold!!!  The girls at work will laugh at me becasue it will be 73 degrees in the office and I'm absolutely FREEZING!!!  I don't get it!!  They put me on a cancer medicine that helps with nausea and vomiting because I'm always sick to my stomach! It helps but doesn't make it go away!  I can barely get my body rolling these days~I'm just exhausted in all areas, emotional, physical, you name it, I'm wiped out! I asked the doctor about this tumor and what to expect and he said radiation and surgery. His office is setting up an appointment for me to meet the endocrinologist.  I've read several of your entries and I have to say, I'm really nervous. My boyfriend tells me to stop my unecessary worrying, but is it unecessary?  I don't think radiation and surgery is uneccessary! Can you shed some light on me please???

[rumpled]

TRH is what the hypothalmus puts out to stimulate the pituitary to secrete TSH which in turn stimulates the thyroid - lots of feedback loops there.

Let us know what the MRI says.

Any skin darkening?

[myohno]

Thank you so much for your comment! I'm just learning about all of this and it's so overwhelming! But I just want to get to the bottom of my problems because I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired! :) So the TRH is what? I do remember him saying something about the hypothalamus but he focused more on the pituitary gland. I have the MRI scheduled for October 2nd. I'm really anxious and just want to hurry things up! Thanks again....

[horselip]

TSH is made by the Pituitary gland. Generally when your T3 and T4 are low TSH goes up to try and stimulate the thyroid gland to increase the T3 and T4.
Because your TSH is not going up, as it would in a healthy person, your doc is looking at the pituitary gland or hypothalamus (which makes TRH) as culprits. This makes sense to me. Good luck!

[myohno]

No, I cant' say that I crave salt. I do love it, but no, not crave it.

I still love this doctor, he has done more for me than all the others, so I'm not ready to throw in the towel with him!  

Please, tell me more...

[rumpled]

Whoa!

Your doctor said you need radiation and surgery already?! Run away from that doctor and run away fast fast fast!

Yes, your TSH is suppressed, but eh, I have seen lower. Why I tell you to run is for several reasons. He has not identified *what* kind of tumor that you have. He has not run full panels on the pituitary (not done cortisol or growth hormone). Many tumors can be treated with meds these days and avoid surgery and BTW, radiation is a last resort as it kills the pituitary for the most part and can make you take more hormones or render you panhypopituitary. You need to see a proper neuro-endo so that you get the right testing, the right MRIs or other imaging and that way you get diagnosed right - not just scared to death. You may or may not need surgery - but you sure need some medications to get you stable and this guy has not done the tests.

Losing weight, vomiting BTW - all point to Addison's, not a pituitary tumor. The endo should run a ACTH stim test, get you on the right meds, and you will get better. Do you crave salt?