Ultrasound thyroid results - plus many endochrine problems

[Tanya N.]

The results of my sono are large goiter and nodules,growths, cryst and a growth in the cyst. I went to my doctor recently because my hair is thinning and breaking off.

I a 53 year old woman who had a mastectomy for breast cancer, hysterecomy, for irrg bleeding and fibroids. The worst problem I have is a undiagnosed problem of stokelike episode that seem also like panic disorder.

This has been going on for 14 years. I've been checked for , lyme, ms, lupus, stroke,heart, etc....

I have a compressed pituitary, empty sellar,cryst on top of my kidney. And have had ovarian cyst,kidney tumor.

Blood work has shown hyperthyroid, and low cortisol. But most of the time all endochrine test are normal.

The doctor DX's of me is that I have hysterical syndrome, so I have gotten no help.

I stopped looking for answer for this past year and have   just taken meds, nuerontin, beta blocker, nexium, BP meds, singular.


I just had thyroid blood work about 4 months ago which were neg, BUT with all these cyst and tumors in my endochrine system, there has to be a problem here.

I do have a appointment for a endo in oct., but I've been to so many with NO answers that I don't have my hopes up.

Has anyone had these thyoid problems and symptoms?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is a difficult question.  Thyroid problems can cause various symptoms including hair loss.  Checking full thyroid panel - TSH, t4 and t3 is important if there is an issue with pituitary (however, MOST empty sella patients have completely normal pituitary function - but I usually re-assess every 1-2 years).  Also check IGF-1 (growth hormone), prolactin, and ACTH with cortisol.  If there is a cortisol question related to the pituitary then do an ACTH stimulation test (arguably the low dose [1mcg] version).  

The multilple cysts are not uncommon - thyroid cysts/nodules are easy to aspirate to exclude a suspicious lesion.  The renal cysts (kidney) may be something that runs in the family (poly-cystic kidney disease)- you also mentioned a tumor -- I would make sure that cancer is excluded....

The spells of anxiety bring up possibility of a few endocrine problems - hyperthryoidism, pheochromocytoma (adrenaline producing tumor), fluctuating blood sugars, or other rare disorders (tested for depending on exam and accompanying symptoms).

Hope the consult in October is helpful.....

[Tanya N.]

Thank you for your responce mertie.

I did have the antibody test and it was neg.  I have seen many endo's and nobody has wanted to take the time to help me.

Now that I have this goiter and growths, I'm going to keep searching until I find a doctor who will take time to help me.

At this point I don't know what I have.  I know I have lots of symptoms and I pray I don't have cancer again.

Were you able to find a good doctor?

[Mertie]

HI.  I think you need to get copies of your thyroid tests so you can monitor these yourselfand see what is happending.  Have you  had antibodies tested?  One can have ordinary hypthyoridism caused by pituitary failure and then the thyroid being attacked by antibodies because the body seems to think this organ is a foreign object.  The two have the same outcome, hypothryodism,or hyperthyroidism but for different reasons.  Maybe you have addisons or Cushings both which can be treated with cortisone as far as I have been told. I think one needs to find an endo who will show you the tests so that you can monitor yourself all the time.  I personally think, diet cutting out starch, fats etc and rest help a lot.  Stress makes things worse and too much exercise too for me.  Yours Mertie