HYPOPITUITARISM VS HYPOTHYROIDISM DIAGNOSIS?

[SANPI]

I could really use some advice and opinions, I feel my diagnosis is a tricky one. I am female, 30.

I have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism by my GP (hashimotos)
I have seen a top naturopath.
I also have seen a traditional healer who has told me I have an infection in my pituitary gland.

Thyroid Function;

June 2013;
TSH         9.32
Free T4    8.0
Free T3    4.0
TPO Ab   546.8
TG Ab      45.0

Nov 2012
TSH        1.79

Due for next blood test in a few days.

Deficient in other vitamins and minerals including iron, zinc and vitamin D.

I have been put on thyroxine (100 then 50mg per day) by my GP.
I have ceased taking the various meds prescribed by the naturopath - the traditional healer says the B complex supplements for example are doing the opposite to helping the pituitary heal.

Currently taking;
Starflower oil 2000mg per day (ByNature)
Brom Ezyme 400mg per day (ByNature)
Thyroxine 50mg per day

My symptoms include;
consistent bloating and gas
very poor digestion, malabsorption, 'leaky gut'
water retention
weight gain
constipation
feeling the cold
low blood pressure
muscle aches and tension
(neck has 'gone out' 4 times in recent months)
long history of depression, anxiety & panic attacks, inability to cope with stress, irregular periods, bulimia (in recovery), poor concentration, poor memory, disturbed sleep
lethargic
always tired, exausted easily by mild excercise
irritable
dry, sensitive skin
thinning hair (also going grey)
irregular hair growth
short sighted
low immunity, coming down with colds viruses easily, long time to heal.

It has been suggested i have Coeliac disease, atleast I have the gene typing and that my symptoms warrant having gastrointestinal biopsies done (which they won't schedule until my thyroid has stabilised). I would like to have further testing done to explore the possibility of pituitary problems, but my GP is not particularly helpful or interested at all. It was the naturopath that ordered the full thyroid screening in the first place.

I might add that i fell pregnant after being raped whilst unconscious and had a termination just prior to Nov 2012 , I understand some of these things can be triggered by pregnancy.

Not quite sure what to do next really! Symptoms haven't improved after being on thyroxine for 4 weeks.

I don't feel that autoimmune thyroid is the root of my problem at all and that taking thyroxine for the rest of my life is a bandaid solution so typical of modern medicine.


Any advice?

[runner37]

thank you

[rumpled]

If you were hypopit - your TSH would be something like .0004 or .0007 - those are the reading that I get. I am panhypopituitary. Your tests don't show any other pituitary testing so it is hard to comment on anything else.

Thyroxine can take more than 4 weeks AND you have to then test to see if you are on the optimal dose and adjust from there. So you may be close, but not quite right.

Between the trauma and the auto-immune issues, it is going to take a while to sort, and it can take a while to get the right thyroid dose. But your TSH is going in the right direction.

I would also ask to make sure your vitamin D, ferratin/iron, magnesium and a good set of hormones are taken just to know. Why is your GP treating your thyroid and not an endocrinologist? It is hard to tell without ranges (and BTW your GP tests very well!!!) but you may want to add a tiny bit of T3 - I cannot tell if you are on the low end or high end of the range of free T3. My doc likes high ends.