After months and months of being told “you’re just anxious” physical changes to my body such as a buffalo hump and large purple stretch marks led to a temporary GP at my surgery seeing me today.
The hump he is certain, is cushings disease, however has said it could be caused by a Lipoma.
I’ve shown so many other symptoms over the last few years that would also relate to thyroid problems. Such as:
Bad palpitations and dizziness
Bad anxiety
Aches and pains
Irregular and heavy periods
Bad eye floaters (not sure if that’s a thyroid issue or not)
And pulsitile tinnitus (also not sure on that one)
I’ve been referred to an endocrinologist and have lots of bloods being taken Friday morning to check cortisol levels, diabetes, thyroid and a few other bits and pieces.
I’ve had thyroid levels checked before to be told “normal range” however this doctor has said nows the time to look more into the physical symptoms your presenting rather than the lab results as they’re not always accurate.
I’m feeling very overwhelmed and a little scared. Is there anyone out there that has been through the same thing?
Thanks in advance xx
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Ellesbells12
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If hypothyroid this can cause high adrenal hormones
Full thyroid testing important
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
This is amazing thank you. also previously diagnosed with low b12 and folate, it’s all seeming to come together now. Last bloods were in afternoon. These bloods have been set for the morning, 7:30 am
Request they include vitamin D and ferritin testing as well as B12 and folate obviously
Are you now getting your B12 injections regularly?
If you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and will help maintain B12 levels between injections too
Igennus Super B is good quality and cheap vitamin B complex. Contains folate. Full dose is two tablets per day. Many/most people may only need one tablet per day. Certainly only start on one per day (or even half tablet per day for first couple of weeks)
Or Thorne Basic B is another option that contain folate, but is large capsule
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
With B12 result below 500, recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months, then once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
Hi Ellesbells12, just been reading through some of your older posts. You’ve had frankly shocking treatment from your GP—I see you’ve been diagnosed with PA but that they keep stopping your injections. Most people with PA can’t make do with tablets—why oh why do they think you can?
Have your injections been reinstated yet? I’m so sorry it’s all been such a battle for you, the last thing you need when you feel so rubbish.
Have you ever had thyroid blood tests? I looked through most of your posts but couldn’t find any results. If you have some, do please feel free to share them here. “Normal” is an opinion not a diagnosis and the ranges for thyroid function tests are strangely wide, leaving lots of room for many to experience thyroid symptoms without ever being out of the range.
Try not to worry too much about Cushings or having a lipoma. If it does turn out to be either, then it’s treatable. Quite shocking that it’s a locum who finally takes you seriously—but alas, not the first time I’ve read about something similar. I really do think you need a new (regular) GP—yours apparently skipped the lecture on endocrinology while learning their trade.
Thank you so much, it’s been a nightmare. Was told im just anxious. The doctor I saw today was amazing, he was utterly shocked that I’d not been taken more seriously and was in total disbelief, he seemed lost for words at some points. He spent time looking back at the pattern of my symptoms and pieced them all together. A previous thyroid blood test showed to be normal, however was taken in the middle of the day. He also said it’s time to stop looking at the lab results and to look at at-least starting me on thyroxine to see if it manages my symptoms (thyroid problems also run in my family) still no injections for B12. Had an awful time with it, just to be told there’s nothing wrong with me half the time. All it took was seeing a new person today and he’s already trying to get me better xx
Thank goodness he was there today. Here’s hoping it’s the beginning of the road to recovery.
You’re 22–two years younger than my son—and I’d be horrified if he were being treated so badly. I’m getting used to being ignored - 51, fat and menopausal but there’s no way they should be ignoring what’s happening with you.
Yes, thank goodness you found a decent doctor. Hang on to him. Like the others have said your treatment has been shocking. Hopefully things will be much better for you now. 😊
Hi I've had Cushing's disease that was caused by a pituitary tumour, I'm admin for a Cushing's group on FaceBook to help people like you get the best advice, help & support. It's good that this locum GP has picked up on your symptoms, hopefully it won't be Cushing's as it's not a nice condition to have. The cortisol test needs to be done around 9am, they should also do a 24 hour urine test as well as often the cortisol result can come back within normal range. Cortisol is at it's highest point first thing in the morning & then drops during the day, with Cushing's this doesn't happen, it stays high. The hump you have is referred to as a buffalo hump, do you have an enlarged neck as well? Symptoms of Cushing's can be weight gain, insomnia, red face, excess facial hair, stretch marks, high BP, you don't have to have all of them either. I'm happy to help more if I can.
Thank you so much, I’m really grateful as I feel quiet scared and overwhelmed at the moment. I do suffer with insomnia every now and then, I have very prominent stretch marks on my stomach, however my stomach isn’t that large and they almost just appeared out of no where. Neck doesn’t seem to be enlarged, just the large buffalo hump. Blood pressure wasn’t too bad last time I checked although could have been lower. I’ve been reading a lot into cushings and thyroid issues and just seems to make all of my symptoms and feeling make more sense. At the same time I am terrified at the idea of any form of surgery. I’m a student studying into Midwifery currently, however I’m useless when any medical issues happen to myself and get myself into a big worry xx
At some point you will need blood tests for allergies and autoimmune thyroid, just in case. You MUST get your EYE Health checked by an optician. Both my husband and I both had eye issues, turned out we both needed treatment. Don't want to alarm you...it is just very important to check it off the list. Don't worry too much about your hump, these things can come and go. x
You've certainly got symptoms of Cushing's, have a look on the Pituitary Foundation website as they have information on Cushing's, if you're on FB then come over & join us on there, we can support you & help you get the best advice & treatment. It's called Cushing's UK facebook.com/groups/2207009...
Hi, have you had your eyes checked recently at the opticians ? If not, please gat those floaters checked out. Just in case, better safe than sorry. Tell them about your recent diagnosis and ask for an emergency check up......check pressure etc. Large corporation probably fit you in quickly. A lot to take in.....but getting diagnosed is always first step to improvement. Best of luck.
They can be all sorts of things, and many nothing to worry about. I did have eye issues and went to opticians for eye health check and needed hospital attention. You just want to check it off the TO DO List xx
Try not to over stress, just think of it as a checklist of things that need sorting. Lots of symptoms are reversible with the right care. This site is excellent, you will always find a helpful ear. x
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Im new here! (22 year old) 
I really do think you need a new (regular) GP—yours apparently skipped the lecture on endocrinology while learning their trade.
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