helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK11 years ago

A first level check is to look at the levels of other pituitary hormones such as luteinising hormone, prolactin. follicle stimulating hormone, growth hormone, also oestrogen, testosterone and cortisol. Possibly followed by MRI and/or CT scans. TRH test, Insulin tolerance test, gonadotropin-releasing hormone. (Probably only some of these!)

thyroidmanager.org/algorith...

It does depend somewhat on which way things are not working. If too much TSH is being produced then a TSHoma might be a suspect - needing scans.

Rod

Hidden11 years ago

Thank you Rod. Are these tests undertaken by endocrinologists? I do not have any faith in them due to poor treatment for hypothyroidism . Caroline. PS what does TRH and TSHoma stand for ( I am familiar with TSH thyroid stimulating hormone)

helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Hidden11 years ago

Have a look at my profile - there are links to several documents including:

Abbreviations and Acronyms:

dropbox.com/s/og3lmxa1dqadb...

Hopefully will help with lots of abbreviations!

TSHoma is a growth which produces excess TSH. "TSH-secreting pituitary tumours". Not always as bad as they sound.

Rod

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Jackie11 years ago

Hi My Endo says that the only good one, through a doc as you need a script. 24 hours urine collection, cortisone tablet at midnight( script) , then a blood test at exactly 9am.

Best wishes,

Jackie

Jackie11 years ago

Sorry that is what comes of rushing, that is for Adrenals ( may be useful, one day!). Pituitary is a 24 hour urine collection, very simple.if TSH very low, a good idea

Jackie

Hidden in reply to Jackie11 years ago

Thank you Jackie. Who and where is your doctor / endo they sound good. Caroliine

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Jackie in reply to Hidden11 years ago

Hi She is briliant. and lovely.I will send you PM because of the guide lines.

Jackie

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Maddie11 years ago

If you are looking for a test to diagnose ACTH or growth hormone deficiency, then you need the glucagon stimulation test and the arginine test.

See this story of one person's journey to get the correct tests for his long standing pituitary problem;

tinyurl.com/mcufxwh

Maddie

bennion66656810 years ago

At the moment I am two weeks In to being off all levothyroxine and liothyronine . This is to enable my endocrinologist to determine hopefully once and for all

If the pituitary is functioning . I have a blood test this afternoon if the Tsh has risen on its own I believe this will indicate it is still working. She says the Tsh test is of no use when doing bloods if you have pituitary malfunction. If it comes back there is a problem as suspected tests other growth hormone tests etc will need to be done.

helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK6 years ago

When you see a user name of Hidden, it means that the person is no longer a member of this forum.

We often close posts that were originated by people who have left - there is no point in wasting our time making replies. Occasionally, the thread might still be active and popular and will be left. More often, it is simply a case of none of the admins noticing!

I shall now be closing this post to replies.