RE: Hypopituitarism

[Guest guest]

Hi

nextstepproject (Do you have a different name???)

Have

a look at this link, this should help you understand about this condition and

what it might involve. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypopituitarism/DS00479

Why

does your doctor think you could be suffering with hypopituitarism? Why did you

come off Armour and go back onto Thyroxine? Was this because your TSH was completely

suppressed? How long had you been on levothyroxine 75mcgs before you had the

blood test done that you are talking about.

When

anybody is taking Armour or T3 medication, because the body is getting all the

thyroid hormones it needs, of course your Thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH)

will be suppressed because there is no need for your pituitary to release this

hormone to tell your thyroid to start secreting T4 and T3. This is a mistake

many doctors make which shows they really do not understand the workings of the

thyroid. When starting synthetic thyroxine (which is a mainly inactive hormone

that has to convert to the active hormone T3) it can take several weeks, if not

months for the TSH to show again, this is why I ask how long you were taking

75mcgs T4 before you were tested.

Luv -

Sheila

Hi guys, I was initially diagnised as hypothyroid

privately 18 months

ago, it was n't until 3 weeks ago my GP acknowledged this, after having

another set of tests done, was taking Armour 120 mg, but now on

Thyroxin 75mcg. However, these test threw up a possible problem with my

pituitary gland. I have an appointment with an endo next week in

Swansea, and would like to be armed with info when i go. Does anyone

have any info on hypopituitarism?

[Guest guest]

Hi there, thanks for replying, sorry didn't sign off very well from

my initial post, my name is Jo.

I have been on Armour since May 2007, went to see private

practitioner regarding HRT, as I had a total hysterectomy in my early

20's and put my exhaustion etc down to that. Wasn't on any medication

before, as my GP told me I there wasn't a problem with my thyroid. I

came off Armour three weeks before having the last blood tests by my

GP, hoping to get a true picture of my condition. These are some of

the results that came back, if you can make them sense of them?:

Serum free T4 level 8.5 pmol /L

Serum free triodothyronine 2.5 pmol/L

Serum TSH level 0.17mu/L

Serum cortisol 497 nmol/L.

Serum FSH level 22u/L

There was also a note on the report about FSH and if taking HRT

measurement not adviseable as it is inconsistent, I take Bio

identical Eostrogena nd progesterone.

Hope this makes sense to you, as it certaily doesn't to me. I just

know i am exhausted and trying to study for a Masters; not easy!!!!

>

>

> Thanks Jo

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Jo

When

posting any blood results, always post the reference ranges for each of the

tests as well, otherwise we cannot tell whether the results are good, bad or

indifferent. However, having said that, I will assume that the reference ranges

for the thyroid function tests are similar to my own laboratory. Your TSH is to

be expected and after stopping Armour it takes quite some time to build up

again. Your Free T4 is VERY low and you must have been feeling pretty rubbish

by the time you had your blood test and also your free T3 is way below the

bottom of the reference range. The others, we need your ranges. Have you

started back on your Armour now - if so, how much are you taking?

Have

you had your ferritin (stored iron) tested, your B12 and Vit D?

Luv -

Sheila

Serum free T4 level 8.5 pmol /L

Serum free triodothyronine 2.5 pmol/L

Serum TSH level 0.17mu/L

Serum cortisol 497 nmol/L.

Serum FSH level 22u/L

There was also a note on the report about FSH and if taking HRT

measurement not adviseable as it is inconsistent, I take Bio

identical Eostrogena nd progesterone.

Hope this makes sense to you, as it certaily doesn't to me. I just

know i am exhausted and trying to study for a Masters; not easy!!!!

>

>

> Thanks Jo

>

[Guest guest]

Sorry

Jo - I forgot that you were the one who's doctor was concerned about hypopituitarism.

Did your GP stop your Armour and put you on 75 mcgs levothyroxine alone because

your TSH was suppressed on Armour and your FT4 and FT3 were too high? It is

difficult to tell whether these results are now because you stopped your Armour

for 3 weeks before your blood results, or whether this could be a pituitary

problem. Any comment Chuck?

Luv -

Sheila

Hi there, thanks for replying, sorry didn't sign off

very well from

my initial post, my name is Jo.

I have been on Armour since May 2007, went to see private

practitioner regarding HRT, as I had a total hysterectomy in my early

20's and put my exhaustion etc down to that. Wasn't on any medication

before, as my GP told me I there wasn't a problem with my thyroid. I

came off Armour three weeks before having the last blood tests by my

GP, hoping to get a true picture of my condition. These are some of

the results that came back, if you can make them sense of them?:

Serum free T4 level 8.5 pmol /L

Serum free triodothyronine 2.5 pmol/L

Serum TSH level 0.17mu/L

Serum cortisol 497 nmol/L.

Serum FSH level 22u/L

There was also a note on the report about FSH and if taking HRT

measurement not adviseable as it is inconsistent, I take Bio

identical Eostrogena nd progesterone.

Hope this makes sense to you, as it certaily doesn't to me. I just

know i am exhausted and trying to study for a Masters; not easy!!!!

>

>

> Thanks Jo

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sheila, there are no reference ranges on the print out, they

just state 'low'. My GP won't treat me with Armour, so I started

Thyroxin 3 weeks ago. I don't think 'rubbish' clarifies how I felt

then nor how I feel right now, suicidal feels about right! I am

seeing an endo next week, only been on the waiting list for 3 weeks,

so have a funny feeling it will be a short meeting with another

member of his team, to get me off the official waiting list onto

the 'unofficial' waiting list!

>

> Hi Jo

>

>

>

> When posting any blood results, always post the reference ranges

for each of

> the tests as well, otherwise we cannot tell whether the results are

good,

> bad or indifferent. However, having said that, I will assume that

the

> reference ranges for the thyroid function tests are similar to my

own

> laboratory. Your TSH is to be expected and after stopping Armour it

takes

> quite some time to build up again. Your Free T4 is VERY low and you

must

> have been feeling pretty rubbish by the time you had your blood

test and

> also your free T3 is way below the bottom of the reference range.

The

> others, we need your ranges. Have you started back on your Armour

now - if

> so, how much are you taking?

>

>

>

> Have you had your ferritin (stored iron) tested, your B12 and Vit

D?

>

>

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

> Serum free T4 level 8.5 pmol /L

> Serum free triodothyronine 2.5 pmol/L

> Serum TSH level 0.17mu/L

> Serum cortisol 497 nmol/L.

> Serum FSH level 22u/L

> There was also a note on the report about FSH and if taking HRT

> measurement not adviseable as it is inconsistent, I take Bio

> identical Eostrogena nd progesterone.

>

> Hope this makes sense to you, as it certaily doesn't to me. I just

> know i am exhausted and trying to study for a Masters; not easy!!!!

> >

> >

> > Thanks Jo

> >

>

[Guest guest]

My GP knows nothing about Armour, just thinks its supplement taken

like you take a vitamin!! Hopeless. But thats now how I feel hopeless

and so so tired I can't think straight. I am hoping the hospital sort

me out next week, I just don't know what I am supposed to be asking

him when I see him. I'm lost!!11

Jo

>

> Sorry Jo - I forgot that you were the one who's doctor was

concerned about

> hypopituitarism. Did your GP stop your Armour and put you on 75 mcgs

> levothyroxine alone because your TSH was suppressed on Armour and

your FT4

> and FT3 were too high? It is difficult to tell whether these

results are now

> because you stopped your Armour for 3 weeks before your blood

results, or

> whether this could be a pituitary problem. Any comment Chuck?

>

>

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

> Hi there, thanks for replying, sorry didn't sign off very well from

> my initial post, my name is Jo.

> I have been on Armour since May 2007, went to see private

> practitioner regarding HRT, as I had a total hysterectomy in my

early

> 20's and put my exhaustion etc down to that. Wasn't on any

medication

> before, as my GP told me I there wasn't a problem with my thyroid.

I

> came off Armour three weeks before having the last blood tests by

my

> GP, hoping to get a true picture of my condition. These are some of

> the results that came back, if you can make them sense of them?:

> Serum free T4 level 8.5 pmol /L

> Serum free triodothyronine 2.5 pmol/L

> Serum TSH level 0.17mu/L

> Serum cortisol 497 nmol/L.

> Serum FSH level 22u/L

> There was also a note on the report about FSH and if taking HRT

> measurement not adviseable as it is inconsistent, I take Bio

> identical Eostrogena nd progesterone.

>

> Hope this makes sense to you, as it certaily doesn't to me. I just

> know i am exhausted and trying to study for a Masters; not easy!!!!

> >

> >

> > Thanks Jo

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Jo -

demand that you get the reference ranges for each of these tests - your doctor

has them, but if you are refused, then telephone your local laboratory (usually

your local district hospital pathology department) and ask them for the ranges

for TSH, FT3, FT4 - all patients are entitled to these and they cannot withhold

them from you. Post them here when you have them.

Please

be assured though that for the majority of sufferers, levothyroxine works just

fine so long as you have everything corrected to help make this medication

work. First, go to our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk

and check out the 'Associated Conditions' that go along with being hypothyroid

and if necessary, get the blood tests suggested, salivary tests and candida

antibody test to make sure you do not have any of these. Get your GP to check

your ferritin level (stored iron) Vit.B12 and vit D. Zinc and magnesium levels.

Any of these conditions will stop your thyroid hormone from being absorbed. You

need to know your thyroid function tests results after you have been on

levothyroxine after say, 6 weeks - though it is more likely to be 3 months and

you need to know whether you are converting the mainly inactive hormone T4

(thyroxine) to the active hormone T3. If your T3 is low, this is an indication

you are not. If that is the case, then, at that time, we can discuss your

treatment options (which, within the NHS this can be difficult to find, but

there are some good doctors out there) - this might be the time to consider

taking combined hormone replacement either synthetic T4 and t3 - or natural

extract (Armour Thyroid). We have many members who do well on levothyroxine, so

once you get on the right dose, you may do well also.

You

need to take Selenium 200mcgs daily to help with conversion, 1/2000mgs Vitamin

C and other minerals/vitamins you will find in our website under

'Nutrition/Supplements.

Please

remember Jo that it takes a good six weeks to absorb thyroxine, and you will

need increases in your dose until you find the dose that takes away your

symptoms, so please be patient.

You

do NOT have to see a member of your endo's team. If you want to see him, and

him alone, be assertive and tell the person who arranges the appointments that

you only wish to see Dr so and so and that you are prepared to wait until you

can be seen by him. Tell them also to write that you will only see Dr so and so

on your medical notes, so you will not be given an appointment to see anybody

else. I do this, and my endocrinologist knows me well. I cannot see the poiont

of being seen by different doctors each time you have a consultation. Never let

doctors dictate what you should do and who you should see - doctors and

patients should work together and you are entitled to see the doctor of your

choice - even though they might try to tell you otherwise. Be patient and get

the knowledge, because knowledge is power. If, at the end of the day, you find

you are getting nowhere within the NHS and you still remain ill - then might be

the time to look elsewhere.

I am

putting something into our files today for members to read before they visit

their endocrinologist so they know what they need to do the prepare for the

visit and some questions they may wish to ask etc so when you get a notification

from telling you a new file has been uploaded, go and read it.

Luv -

Sheila

Thanks Sheila, there are no reference ranges on the

print out, they

just state 'low'. My GP won't treat me with Armour, so I started

Thyroxin 3 weeks ago. I don't think 'rubbish' clarifies how I felt

then nor how I feel right now, suicidal feels about right! I am

seeing an endo next week, only been on the waiting list for 3 weeks,

so have a funny feeling it will be a short meeting with another

member of his team, to get me off the official waiting list onto

the 'unofficial' waiting list!

>

> Hi Jo

>

>

>

>

__

[Guest guest]

Thank you Sheila, this has mede me feel more positive. I will let you

know the reference range when I have them and how I get on next week.

Thank you for your time, Jo

>

> Jo - demand that you get the reference ranges for each of these

tests - your

> doctor has them, but if you are refused, then telephone your local

> laboratory (usually your local district hospital pathology

department) and

> ask them for the ranges for TSH, FT3, FT4 - all patients are

entitled to

> these and they cannot withhold them from you. Post them here when

you have

> them.

>

>

>

> Please be assured though that for the majority of sufferers,

levothyroxine

> works just fine so long as you have everything corrected to help

make this

> medication work. First, go to our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk and

check out

> the 'Associated Conditions' that go along with being hypothyroid

and if

> necessary, get the blood tests suggested, salivary tests and candida

> antibody test to make sure you do not have any of these. Get your

GP to

> check your ferritin level (stored iron) Vit.B12 and vit D. Zinc and

> magnesium levels. Any of these conditions will stop your thyroid

hormone

> from being absorbed. You need to know your thyroid function tests

results

> after you have been on levothyroxine after say, 6 weeks - though it

is more

> likely to be 3 months and you need to know whether you are

converting the

> mainly inactive hormone T4 (thyroxine) to the active hormone T3. If

your T3

> is low, this is an indication you are not. If that is the case,

then, at

> that time, we can discuss your treatment options (which, within the

NHS this

> can be difficult to find, but there are some good doctors out

there) - this

> might be the time to consider taking combined hormone replacement

either

> synthetic T4 and t3 - or natural extract (Armour Thyroid). We have

many

> members who do well on levothyroxine, so once you get on the right

dose, you

> may do well also.

>

>

>

> You need to take Selenium 200mcgs daily to help with conversion,

1/2000mgs

> Vitamin C and other minerals/vitamins you will find in our website

under

> 'Nutrition/Supplements.

>

>

>

> Please remember Jo that it takes a good six weeks to absorb

thyroxine, and

> you will need increases in your dose until you find the dose that

takes away

> your symptoms, so please be patient.

>

>

>

> You do NOT have to see a member of your endo's team. If you want to

see him,

> and him alone, be assertive and tell the person who arranges the

> appointments that you only wish to see Dr so and so and that you are

> prepared to wait until you can be seen by him. Tell them also to

write that

> you will only see Dr so and so on your medical notes, so you will

not be

> given an appointment to see anybody else. I do this, and my

endocrinologist

> knows me well. I cannot see the poiont of being seen by different

doctors

> each time you have a consultation. Never let doctors dictate what

you should

> do and who you should see - doctors and patients should work

together and

> you are entitled to see the doctor of your choice - even though

they might

> try to tell you otherwise. Be patient and get the knowledge, because

> knowledge is power. If, at the end of the day, you find you are

getting

> nowhere within the NHS and you still remain ill - then might be the

time to

> look elsewhere.

>

>

>

> I am putting something into our files today for members to read

before they

> visit their endocrinologist so they know what they need to do the

prepare

> for the visit and some questions they may wish to ask etc so when

you get a

> notification from telling you a new file has been uploaded,

go and

> read it.

>

>

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

> Thanks Sheila, there are no reference ranges on the print out, they

> just state 'low'. My GP won't treat me with Armour, so I started

> Thyroxin 3 weeks ago. I don't think 'rubbish' clarifies how I felt

> then nor how I feel right now, suicidal feels about right! I am

> seeing an endo next week, only been on the waiting list for 3

weeks,

> so have a funny feeling it will be a short meeting with another

> member of his team, to get me off the official waiting list onto

> the 'unofficial' waiting list!

> >

> > Hi Jo

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

> __

>