I’m back! - Adrenal enlargement

[Numberone1]

With COVID getting in the way a lot, I have written on here before about a CT scan showing bilateral enlarged adrenals. I am in the process of getting surgery on my Aortic valve but this showed up too

My hospital have finally set the wheels in motion to refer me to an endo before I have heart surgery as I believe surgery could be dangerous until it’s sorted.

Has anyone else got enlarged adrenals! The guy doing the scan is talking about hyperplasia?

Help please

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

hyperplasia = enlarged!

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper...

Why use English when words derived from Latin and ancient Greek are available?

(Mind, it does make searching easier - much of the time.)

Here is a fairly recent paper on acquired adrenal hyperplasia (2017). As almost always, they mention all sorts of things - some unpleasant, most of which will not apply to you.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Numberone1 in reply to helvella]

I hope it doesn’t apply to me! It was found nearly a year ago and no one seemed to be taking it seriously.

[Hidden]

Adrenal hyperplasia refers to enlarged glands as you know, the reason they want to refer you to an Endo is to see if the glands are producing too much cortisol, it they are then you may have Cushing's syndrome. They may also investigate you for a pheochromocytoma. As there is a risk of surgery if you do have Cushing's syndrome or the pheo they will want to sort this out prior to any surgery. It could be the reason why you have heart issues too as high cortisol levels affect many parts of the body & put you at risk of blood clots & stroke. Other symptoms of Cushing's are insomnia, weight gain around your tummy, round, flushed face, easy bruising, some hair loss but extra hair growth on face, stretch marks, high blood pressure, diabetes - you don't have to have all of them. I've had Cushing's but from a pituitary tumour, it isn't a quick process to get a diagnosis as they like to get all the biochemical evidence first. if I can help, then ask.

[Numberone1 in reply to Hidden]

My surgeon has asked them to review the scan before surgery. I know a definitive diagnosis can take time but I think there’s something they can do (alpha blocker?) to get the heart surgery out of the way first? Does that sound right?

[Hidden in reply to Numberone1]

I'm not sure on that one at all, I hope you can get things sorted so you can get your much needed surgery - best wishes.