Hi,
My back scan had shown an enlarged pituitary gland with a growth in it, waiting for urgent follow up. (Back surgeon didn’t even contact anyone, I had to fight for the scan).
I have put on a lot of weight in 3 months, so much that I was tested and the GP thinks my thyroid had been affected,
Has anyone else had this?
This must be a big worry. The pitruitary is the master gland and different parts can interupt production of different hormones. Has your GP done a Thyroid panel then? What are the results? Auto immune can attack the pitruitary. A lot of people have both pitruitary and Thyroid problems from auto immune attack. If thats the case you will be prescribed hormones to make up for the loss such as Thyroxine and will start to lose the weight again and feel better x
GP hadn’t done anything except refer me. I have Lupus, not fully controlled and many immune problems.
Before this I saw the GP for my weight and he just said it was good as I have just got over kidney cancer!?!
Not at all nice to hear.
I suggest that at this moment, you need to get hold of the information about the test results that made your GP think of thyroid. You should be able to request a printout of the results of recent tests.
In some people who become hypothyroid, their bodies compensate and try to make more TSH (which is made in the pituitary). That then ends up making the pituitary gland enlarge. If that is why you have an enlarged pituitary, proper treatment with thyroid hormone can result in the pituitary shrinking.
The pituitary makes many hormones, of which TSH is just one. The effects of making too much, or too little, of any of them has consequences.
You might find this site of use. The link should be to the page about the hormones the pituitary makes but there is much else there.
pituitary.org.uk/informatio...
I haven’t had any tests so far, just been put forward to see the endocrinologist following the bad news on the MRI scan. I also have the worst headache in the world and had to go to A&E for it,
That is diabolical.
Your GP should have sent you for blood tests - if nothing else, for the suspected thyroid problem.
I ask you, what is the point of going to see an endocrinologist without any test results whatsoever? Even the best lab in the world takes time to process tests (some inherently take longer than others) so getting them done on the day is not sensible. Your GP simply MUST get some tests done asap.
And, assuming you get them done, make sure you get a print of the results, including the reference ranges. And post back. There are many people here waiting to try to help you.
Thank you. I’ve had a terrible timewith these people, had stage 3 cancer and lost a kidney last year through their incompetence. 10 years of kidney problems and would not send me for the right treatment!
Awful - I don't know if any words I type would help. 
There is considerable intertwining of kidney function/disease and thyroid. Afraid, I do not know much about it, just enough to be aware.
For thyroid, you need at least Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T4 (FT4) and (most of us here would argue) Free T3 (FT3). But many labs refuse FT3 even if the GP requests it.
You'd be better off looking at the pituitary link for information about what else should be done for that.
The fact that you have put on weight & have a known pituitary problem could point towards Cushing's disease. This is caused by a benign pituitary tumour producing too much ACTH which stimulates the adrenal glands to over produce cortisol. You will find information about it on the Pituitary Foundation website which someone else has pointed you to. Symptoms of Cushing's are weight gain around you tummy, high BP, insomnia, easy bruising, loss of hair but gaining facial hair, stretch marks, there are other symptoms & you don't have to have al lof them to have it. I've had Cushing's due to a pituitary tumour so happy to answer any questions.
Wow, that’s me. Huge bruising after blood test and so difficult to sleep, can be up all night. Will look this up. Don’t know if it runs in families but my Mum had thyroid problems. My diabetic nurse said it was hormonal as my weight has shot up in a straight line in 3 months.
It's not a quick diagnosis & can take some time, plus recovery can be quite challenging as well, so I hope you don't have it. Long term steroid use can be a cause of Cushing's as well as a benign pituitary or adrenal tumour.
Thanks, that sounds like me.
Thank you. It is making me behave frantically, up all night again.
I can’t get my breathe very well, it makes me panic. I’m due some heart tests. This body of mine has had it!
That’s interesting. My face too has started to go a bit rounder. I was on steroids for years for Lupus so it will be a shame if I am back on them again.
If you are waking up by snoring ask to be checked for sleep apnoea, I didn't think I had it but I did & was stopping breathing 72 times an hour, I now use a CPAP machine.
It’s breathlessness that I have a problem with, worst when I lie down.
Pituitary gland not producing TSH
Benign Pituitary Tumour 
Thyroid cyst growth
