Pituitary or Hypothalmus problem treatment

[Blue727]

If you have a problem with your pituitary gland or receiving the correct message from your Hypothalmus, is the treatment different than that of a true thyroid problem?  I can't get a doctor to take a scan of my thyroid, pituitary, adrenal glands, etc..., but based on my test results there is obviously something wrong.  My current MD is treating me for hypo with Cytomel and Hydrocortisone and said there is no need to look at any of my glands, as the treatment is the same.

[Blue727]

Any advice?  Thanks!

[Blue727]

Results: Ranges:

10/12/05:
TSH: 1.20 0.40 - 5.5 MU/L

2/21/06:
Free T4: 0.91 0.59 - 1.17 ng/dL
TSH: 0.94 0.35 - 4.82 uIU/mL
T-4, Total: 6.4 4.5 - 12.0 MCG/DL
T-3 Uptake: 34.6 25.0 - 35.0% Uptake

8/15/06:
TSH: 1.11 .34 - 4.82 uIU/mL

10/12/06:
TSH: 1.20 0.40 - 5.5 MU/L

6/21/07:
T-3, Free: 377 230 - 420 PG/DL
T3, Reverse: 0.19 0.11 - 0.32 ng/mL
Free T4: 0.73 0.71 - 1.85 NG/DL
TSH: 1.39 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/ML

7/17/07:
Here are the saliva test results;

fTSH 57 Normal
fT4 0.25 Normal Normal: 0.17-0.42 ng/dl
fT3 0.27 Borderline Low 0.21-0.27
TPO Positive
E2 (Estradiol) 9 Male (20-49 yrs): 1-3 pg/ml, Male (50-85 yrs): 1-5 pg/ml
P1 (Progesterone) 30 Male (adult): 5-95 pg/ml
TTF (Free Testosterone) 34 Male (20-30 yrs): 60-110 pg/ml

Cortisol:

7:00-8:00 a.m. 6 Depressed 13-24 nM
11:00-Noon 4 Depressed 5-10 nM
4:00-5:00 p.m. 3 Normal 3-8 nM
11:00-Midnight 5 Elevated 1-4 nM
Cortisol Burden 18 23-42

DHEA 4 Normal 3-10 ng/ml

My morning Cortisol blood test was 19.3 (Range: 4-22 MCG/DL).
Antibodies test was negative.

8/7/07:
TSH: 1.80 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

9/12/07:
Free T4: 0.75 0.71 - 1.85 NG/DL
TSH: 1.27 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/ML

1/19/08:
Free T4: 0.66 0.71 - 1.85 NG/DL
TSH: 0.17 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

1/30/08:
TSH: 0.95 Range: 0.50 - 5.00 uIU/mL

Estradiol, Serum <32

Estradiol Reference Ranges:
Male: <=54

It goes on to say no pediatric reference range established.

T-3 Uptake: 40.31 High Range: 25.0 - 35.0% Uptake

T-4, Total: 5.7 Range: 4.5 - 12.0 MCG/DL

Free Thyroxine Index: 2.30 Range: 1.12 - 4.20

T-3, Total: 93 Range 60 - 181 NG/DL

Testosterone, Total: 393 Range: 241 - 827 NG/DL

[Karly122]

I have had strange test results in the past also, and wonder if my thyroid problem is a result of a problem with my pituitary gland.  I have found that a lot of doctors don't know much about the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus, so they don't check into it.   If there is a tumor pressing on the pituitary gland, the treatment is surgery to remove it, and then hormone replacement for which ever glands are not functioning as they should. If the messages aren't being sent normally because of a "damaged" pituitary, the treatment is again hormone replacement for those that are low.  If I were you I would try finding a doctor who will check into these areas. There are six hormones secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, and these should be tested. These will give a picture of how well the pituitary gland is functioning.   They are GH, ACTH, TSH, LH, FSH and Prolactin. Keep searching.  Can you post your current lab results so we can better help you?
-Karly

[kitty9309]

Cytomel by itself is generally not used. It is usually used in a very low dose along with a t4 medication.

Hydrocortisone is used to treat low adrenal function.

What are your original/current labs with reference ranges?