hair loss, large abdominal, bad skin, facial hair, bone pain....hormone problem?

[dec72rene]

I am almost 34 year old, white female with one child.Had reg periods until recently.Was every 28days now it will be 15days sometimes.I started having major weight gain in my stomach a few years ago. Along with this I had a lot of hair loss, so much that I could see my scalp. I have noticed other symptoms as well, facial hair,achy bones, lower back pain, acne(large red ones),clear sticky discharge, sore breasts before period,vision getting blurring(very slight).I went to doctor a few times about backache, it got really bad where I could not get out of bed. Most of these symptoms come and go. At the moment, I have skin rash that is itchy(could be dry skin but it is worse than I have ever had)(also went to dermotolgist in the summer and had fungus in groin and on feet), have back stiffness when I get out of bed in the mornings and usually on weekends when I have chores at home(dishes, cooking, laundry,etc.)I read about Cushings and went my doctor and he took blood;negative on that. He checked my thyroid prior to that and also to make sure I wasn't diabetic..all negative. He told me he thought I may have a slight hormone imbalance, but didn't think it was an immediate health risk. I have memory probs sometimes, like names..stuff I should not have to think about. I have very slight vertigo every now and then, usually in the dark(that may be age? or I'm just weird.)Anyways, I am plagued with little annoy problems that may just be my age, but wish I had a reason..feel like I am just crazy sometimes. I would appreciate any thoughts or advice. Thanks in advance.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

A. This doesn’t sound like a mild hormonal imbalance, but something else that could also affect your hormones.

The first thing this sounds like is Cushings.  Your doctor seems to have excluded Cushings disease with a blood test. However, a 24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol Level
is the most specific diagnostic test. Your urine is collected over a 24-hour period and tested for the amount of cortisol. Levels higher than 50–100 micrograms a day for an adult suggest Cushing's syndrome. The normal upper limit varies in different laboratories, depending on which measurement technique is used.

You might also need an MRI of your head to look at your pituitary gland, depending on what the findings are from the 24-hour urine test.

Also, it is a good idea to check a blood test for extra high levels of testosterone, DHEA-S, and androstenedione. These are hormones that lead to acne and hair loss in women.
You might also want to see a neurologist since you have memory loss, blurred vision, and other symptoms.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD

[dec72rene]

I forgot one other weird symptom...course it could be something entirely different. My spine pops a lot. It pops when I cough a little. I mentioned this to my doctor and he did not seem bothered by it, but it bothers me greatly.This is something entirely new for me. He told me that it was gas built up between the joints or something, but why would it start all of a sudden? With my skin problem I mentioned I have skin tags and moles or worts maybe appearing. I even have them on my legs, very small where it just feels like my skin is rough. Never had any to appear like that. There are too many to use store bought wart medicine. I have been looking for anything on the web, looking for matching symptoms. Do you think I should see a endocrinologist? And again thanks for any comments they will all be appreciated.

I was surprised to see this site, where doctors were taking time out of their lives to post here...I for one am glad to see others still care about people and the world. Thank all of you guys for all your comments and advice. That old saying about "What comes around.." Thanks.

[idesofmarch]

Hi I'm new here but I wanted to say what I was told about skin tags.  It is genetic, you can't use wart remover on them, if you have them removed by a dermatoligist they will eventually come back. Mine did. I also think being overweight may have something to do with it. I get them on my inner thighs,they started on the upper portion and have worked there way done to above my knees. Also around my neck where the collar of a shirt would be. I have also seen people with them under the arm. Along with the tags on my legs are some light tiny raised patches of skin that also go to right above the inner knee.  I have recently noticed that my Mom has skin tags so I guess mine came from her.  They do not spread from person to person but they are embarrassing.

[idesofmarch]

It sounded like cushings, diabeties or thyroid to me!  Have you ever looked into Fibromyalgia?  A RA DR. is a specialist for that. Or an Endo for hormone imbalances. Some of your symptoms could be from ovaian cysts or fibroids (usually not cancerous) but could cause trouble with hormones. Start a symptom diary, keep it simple and bring it to your DR. appts. It could be a combonation of things starting at the same time.  In the mean time look thru the medlinks to see what matches your symptoms and study those.  Don't obsess on it though, it'll make you crazy! Hope you find some answers, Happy Holidays too.

[Mellyme]

I had most of the same problems you mentioned myself, over the years.
For me, the symptoms were a result of undiagnosed
celiac disease (diagnosed at age 26). Celiac disease
is an autoimmune disorder where the "gluten" from wheat, barley,
rye, and oats becomes "toxic" to your body, destroying the small intestine
so you don't absorb nutrients properlly resulting in malnutriton/ vitamin
deficiencies and all that goes with it. A life long diet of NO gluten ever, heals
the intestines and restores health. All of your symptoms are symptoms associated
with celiac disease. Blood tests don't always give true results, a biopsy must be done
to diagnosis this. This is an extremely common disorder, especially in those of European heritage. 1 in 100 people have it, but most remain undiagnosed. My husband and best friend are both celiac too. Just food for thought. I am not a doctor.But it may be worth considering.

[missproblem1]

It sounds like polycystic ovary syndrome which may be caused by insulin resistance. You should have a 2 hour glucose tolerance test. It is a hormone problem. I have it and have many of your symptoms. Metformin may be a good choice if you have it.