TBI/Pitutary

[bigred119]

My 25 year old daughter suffered a TBI in June.  I have read that her pitutary could be affected due to this type injury.  What symptoms would she be presenting if this were the case and what screening tests should be done to make a determination?

Thank your for your time and help.

[bigred119]

Thank you for takinig the time to respond to my inquiry.  Your resonse is valued.

My daughter has gained approximately 15 pounds since August.  She has been very physically inactive since her injury. She is on depokote and is switching to lamictal (spelling?).  The change is being done slowly.  Taking her medications makes her very nauseous.  Her doctor is hoping the new medication will not make her so nauseous. She has learned she has to wait fifteen minutes between each tablet to help to alleviate the nausia.  The weight gain is probably due to the depokote and the fact that she thinks eating may help alleviate the nausia, even though it does not.   She does have an increase in urination.  Her menstraul periods have actually been more frequent despite the fact she takes the pill (I don't recall which one).

Again, thank you for your time and concern for all those who require your opinion and advice.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There are too many potential symptoms to list -- mostly would be lack of menstrual periods OR significant increase thirst & urination -- these are just examples.

Labs could include prolactin, FSH, LH, estradiol, TSH, T4, T3, IGF-1 (growth hormone), cortisol and ACTH as well as blood sodium level.

An endocrine consultation may be the best way to approach this if there is concern regarding pituitary problems.