[shelbean91]

Ok- posted a while ago about potential thyroid problems. Finally got into see the endocrinologist- did some tests, 24 hr urine, blood, ultrasound, etc- looks like thyroid is functioning properly. Don't have the levels (forgot to ask) but they're 'normal'. However, my fasting blood sugar was high, so was cortisol- which that, along with my other symptoms (weight gain/lack of loss, fatigue, headaches, etc) are indicators of something called Cushing syndrome. So, we're doing another 24 hr urine and some test to check cortisol levels (I take some long name med that will normally suppress the cortisol levels and see if it works). Based on those results, I'll have treatment from there, but this is maddening.

I finally figured out there was somethign wrong with me, not just fat and lazy- last October. Couldn't get into endo until March. Then had to go back 4/10, now have another appt 4/28. I just want to figure out what's wrong iwth me and get back to normal.

Anyone with experience with this- he said it's fairly rare. I've researched a bit but would like 'real' experiences if they're out there.

Thanks.

 

[FrannieP]

I encourage you to get your thyroid labs and post them so we can take a look.
It is SO common for thyroid labs to be interpreted as "normal" when, in fact they are not. It couldn't hurt - plus, if you're dealing with endo issues you'll do lots of testing and these original ones are baselines you'll want to refer to in the future.

Also, high cortisol is commonly seen as a stage on the way to adrenal burnout. I went through this myself, as did many others here in this forum.
Here's a good comprehensive overview of adrenal functioning:
http://www.tuberose.com/Adrenal_Glands.html

Is it Phosphatidylserine your doc gave you?

fp

 

[shelbean91]

it was dextramethosone or something like that. I go look if that will be helpful. My follow up is the 28th- I'll call to get the labs if I can, if not, I'll ask for a copy when I'm in next.

He said the high cortisol/cushing is frequently due to a tumor on the pituitary or adrenal gland and is treatable, but stressful for me.

I've bookmarked the link, I'll read it in more depth, but I'm interested to find links btw asthma and adrenals, as I've had asthma dx'd when I was 10, but have stopped needing my inhaler since last july- I'm wondering (actually more certain) that they are related.

Thank you.

 

[moonmama22]

I know nothing about this, so i apologize for jumping in. I've had some weird symptoms lately - I got sick about 2.5 weeks ago in Disney - high fever, sore throat, major chest congestion - I thought maybe flu or bronchitis, but over the last several months, I have also been extremely tired and lethargic, falling asleep accidently almost every evening, when in the past I have been insomnic, and gaining weight no matter what I do or eat. I've also been sore and moody. Is it possible that this could be a thyroid issue? That had never occurred to me (although I still think I just have an enduring cold/flu for the most part...)

 

[shelbean91]

anything is possible- there are lots of good thyroid threads to check out.

 

[Violet2]

Was your asthma inhaler a steroid? And did your problems start after discontinuing the steroid inhaler?

It is not supposed to happen, but you can have steroid withdrawal from inhalers. It has happened to me. Steroid withdrawal can cause Cushings which sometimes resolves once the body adjusts to the lack of steroid. The reason why oral steroids are tapered is to prevent problems like this.

I've had Cushings from oral steroids so I recognized the symptoms when I recently reduced the inhaled steroids-although it was not as bad as with the pills,but I also immediately upped the dose and tapered down again.

Hopefully your issue is from discontinuing the inhaler which could resolve. It took me a year when I had Cushings to get normal bloodwork and probably another year to recover from the long term effects of having to be on some level of prednisone for a year. I seem to have permanent muscle pain, which is supposed to be rare and temporary, but lucky me it's not

.

Anyway, drink lots of water, eat a low glycemic diet and push, push, push the docs to take you seriously.

ETA: Oh and 1 in 5 people worldwide have pituitary tumors they are quite common so you may still have an issue that way as may one of the pp here.

V

 

[shelbean91]

My asthma inhaler was advair, which I believe has a steroid in it (don't remember) but they symptoms started before I quit that. I thought many of the symptoms were due to the inhaler, was going to switch, then ended up stopping altogether. Didn't need it. Symptoms from inhaler did go away a bit (hoarse voice, heart palpatations). It's was June/July of last year that I stopped the inhalers and 2 years since my last course of prednisone. I do have steroid cream for excema- doc knows about that, but didn't mention it. I was on the prednisone for 2 months (due to painful thyroiditis- which is what let me to believe this is a thyroid problem) including the weaning off process- I was very careful.

Thank you for the input- very helpful. The interesting thing about the low glycemic diet you mention- I started south beach diet in jan of 06 and lost tons of weight. Then, had the thyroid problems, weight went back on, even with low glycemic diet. Still following it, exercise- weight doesn't budge.

 

[shelbean91]

Ok- my labs, please tell me if I forgot anything.

TSH- 2.928
t4 - 1.09
thryoid peroxidase ab <10

There is also a comp. metabolic panel with lots of results and not sure what is important.

24 hr urine showed cortisol of 88 one date and 60 the next, so lower, but still out of range. Everything else is still 'normal'. Not sure where to go from here.

 

[shelbean91]

Also, he ruled out Cushing b/c of the dextramethasone test.