FAO anyone having issues with hypothyroid diagnosis & "normal" endocrinology test results...

[BadHare]

Hi Folks,

I found this quite an interesting read, re secondary/central hypothyroidism:

pituitarydisorder.net/centr...

Might be useful for anyone else with a pituitary adenoma.

Mel

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks for posting. It might be worthwhile circulating it to all Endos and doctors who only take notice of the TSH before sending you us off with a flea in our ear.

[BadHare in reply to shaws]

I've printed 4 copies for distribution.

I wonder what the endos are paid for, when they don't seem to know anything that's not screamingly obvious!

[shaws Administrator in reply to BadHare]

It appears the patients have to do the groundwork in order to get there own diagnosis but many doctors wont do the appropriate investigtions.

I am assuming they're taught nothing at all about the thyroid gland and it's function when medical students and the different problems which can occur. The TSH is king to them and wherever it is the diagnosis is pronounced.

[Coastwalker in reply to shaws]

Shaws, do you know what is meant by a 'Free T4 index' in the sentence that says :-

A low Free T4 or Free T4 index.

I have seen this piece before and wondered if 'index' means

'in range or within range' ?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Coastwalker]

NO!

FT4I is an estimation of Free T4 based on measuring Total T4 and then using some technique of deciding how much binding protein there is. Do a bit of working out and you might have an answer.

I don't recall seeing FT4I being used in the UK within this century.

[Coastwalker in reply to helvella]

Sounds complicated,

Thanks helvella.

Thought 'index' might be an American term.

[BadHare in reply to shaws]

They seem to know little about the pituitary gland, & anything other than diabetes.

I was told a goitre & a pituitary adenoma were normal. Also eating 800 calories a day to stay overweight, & a body temperature of 35.3 degrees was normal. They that I needed to see a dermatologist about my skin issues, all of which are hormone related.

I gave up with them, & ordered NDT in the summer. Self diagnosis & treatment seems the only viable option. >

[shaws Administrator in reply to BadHare]

Self-diagnosis and self-treatment may mean the difference between developing further ill-health or improving our health. It's the only viable option as you say. We are forced into taking this decision.

[faith63 in reply to BadHare]

what about growth hormones and cortisol levels? You could be missing those too. I have empty sella , a squished pituitary, that is barely noticeable on a scan and have not had a proper evaluation.

[BadHare in reply to faith63]

Oh, no! Surely that should be looked at very thoroughly!

I don't think there's I've an issue with growth hormones, but cortisol is on my list of tests to ask for, that they'll probably refuse.

[faith63 in reply to BadHare]

if they test igf-1 and its normal, then they have to do a type of stim test, because of the adenoma. But, they rarely know this. Cortisol needs several tests. You need a pituitary specialist for this, not just an endocrinologist.

[BadHare]

Which crevice of the NHS do pituitary specialists reside?

I'm not due back at the endocrinology clinic for about 6 months, so I can request cortisol testing then. I anticipate rolling eyes...

I'm currently trying to jiggle my new NDT, with limited success, but I hope to have cracked it by then. The list of articles I've printed, to bombard them with is growing daily!