I do not but have been told by tests my pituatary gland is sluggish but my Thyroid is in the higher side of normal though it is making more than enough for my needs. I have a lot of symptoms that might be because of my thyroid. Weight gain, gastroparesis, slow transit constipation. reflux, tiredness depression, my blood sugar is up but I do not have diabetes. my eyebrows are falling out and my nails break easy. That was over a year ago, should they not retest it at least.
Written by
Scottlady
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Thank you for your prompt reply. I was told it is my pituatery gland that is needing help producing enough Thyroid hormone. Does that mean it would not be my thyroid and what treatment would help the pituatary. Could there be something else wrong with the pituatary? Also a cousin had Thyroid cancer but I presume the last blood tests would have ruled out that.
Your pituitary gland should produce Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which is carried in your blood to the thyroid. It "tells" the thyroid how much thyroid hormone to release.
Much applies in anyone whose pituitary is not working right.
Treatment, from the point of view of thyroid hormone, is pretty much the same as any other cause of hypothyroidism - you take levothyroxine tablets. That is often enough to get you feeling much better. However it is important that you are properly assessed by an endocrinologist who knows what they are doing.
As Jackie and Rod have said, you do not have to have a goitre when hypothyroid. From C Dayan's Fast facts: Thyroid Disorders: P 69:
"Chronic autoimmune thyroiditis is the most common cause of spontaneous primary hypothyroidism in iodine-sufficient regions. The condition is known as Hashimotos's thyroiditis if goitre is present, and atrophic thyroiditis if the size of the thyroid is diminished".
There is much information on thyroid conditions on the main site if you have not already visited it:
Some doctors, having seen that the lymphocytic attack on the thyroid is identical whether or not there is a goitre, happily called it Hashimoto's even without a goitre. Seems to be perpetually in a state of re-definition among medics. Some use two different terms; some do not.
I tend towards that view simply because if a goitre is very small, it might not even be noticed. Or maybe, without treatment, you too would develop one.
If you want things to be simple and clear-cut, don't get a thyroid disease!
Things were simple and clear, it was just Hashimoto's, plain and simple, had never known of the distinction in names C Dayan makes until I read his book.
Thyroid UK is not listed among the useful addresses at back of book. Interesting.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Does anyone else have a lot of breast pain? After having a hysterectomy at 45 I am now 66, so long past the menopause but get a lot of pain
Want to say a big thank you for all your help support and kindness I have now been given a trial on some T3 to go alongside my thyroxine xx
As some of you know I am awaiting a TRH test , I have now been told it will be 24/6/13.
Hello Everyone, Does anyone know what to take? I have a Multi nodular goitre and my throat has swelled up and causing lots of pain now
