question

[amy_in_boston]

Has anyone on this site gone through the process of being evaluated for hypopituitarism? I'm thinking that I need to get tested for this. I've been experiencing multiple hormonal problems and I came across this term when I was doing some research on hormone issues. Can a GP order the blood tests or do you need a referral to see an endocrinologist?

[Mark in Idaho]

What kind of hormonal problems do you suspect?

Not all endocrinologists look closely at hormone balance. Many use a shotgun approach. It is best to find the specialist who understands your issues.

There are doctors who specialize in "Life Extension." They combine hormones, nutrition, and vitamin and other supplements to get the body in balance.

[amy_in_boston]

I have symptoms of hypothyroidism, Addison's, adult growth hormone deficiency and issues with my menstrual cycle. I probably should be diabetic (type 2) because of my carb and sugar intake, but my glucose levels are usually around 90. My last check was 75. A month later I had a hypoglycemic attack.

I've had 4 MRI's of my head...all four had the same results. Multiple, high signal intensities found in the white matter. Several years ago I got tested for multiple sclerosis because I had headaches and peripheral neuropathy, but there was no change in 4 years to give any indication MS. I now suspect the spots are because of diffuse axonal injury.


From what I can tell from the research I've been doing, the type of car accident I was involved in (I was a backseat passenger in a broadside hit to the passenger side) and the side-to-side whiplash I sustained causes the most damage in mTBI's.

It was only recently that I recalled the memory of even being in the car accident. The accident happened when I was 16. My parents and brother were in the car when it happened. I recently interrogated my family about it. My father is the only one who remembered the accident.

I suspect my mother, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, has many of the same issues that I have. For the longest time I thought that her and I shared some kind of genetic problem since she has similar hormonal issues and vitamin deficiencies. Now I guess I can add memory issues to her list of problems as well.

[Mark in Idaho]

Getting your Thyroid tests done plus female hormones should not be difficult. There is a hormone specialist referral system at https://www.womensinternational.com/..._referral.html and http://foreverhealth.com/physician-search/ . The second has limited
resources since it is new.

I suggest you start with the Thyroid and female hormones as they are easy to resolve. Get your nutrition up to normal too. A B-12, folate, D3 and magnesium assessment would also be a good start.

Try to be patient. Nutrition and hormones take months to start to see improvements.

My best to you.

[amy_in_boston]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's 6 years ago. My TSH levels kept coming back in range, but I knew that my system wasn't working right. I pushed my GP back then to check for antibodies and I was right. The levels weren't normal.

I was diagnosed with a vitamin B12 deficiency 8 years ago. I was getting monthly injections before I moved to the East Coast. My GP here in Boston says my B12 levels should be okay with a vitamin supplement, but I'm not as certain as she is. I've been taking them for 6 months now. That's one thing on my list to get checked. I want to see if the pills are working or if I should go back to injections which I know for certain were working.

I was diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency 6 months ago and have been taking supplements for that as well. Again, it's on my list of things to get rechecked just to make sure the pills are working.

As far as the low grade depression I have felt forever...I seem to be doing well with the combination of Vitamin D and Celexa.

[Mark in Idaho]

Amy,

You may want to try sublingual B-12 drops. They are a different form and are often absorbed better. Again, you want to be at the top of the range.