Pituitary Disorder Symptoms

Posted by Larrymay @larrymay, Aug 18, 2017

I am not getting much help from my local medical system and am looking for advice on a series of episodic problems. I had a head trauma in late 2012 and suddenly developed hyponatremia (presumably from SIADH) 6 months later. A brain MRI showed old scarring, but was otherwise unremarkable. I was able to manage sodium levels by limiting fluids although that limitation led to elimination issues and almost daily use of an osmotic laxative. During the following 2 years, my thyroid medicine needed to be changed frequently in response to varying TH levels. In 2016, I began having a series of episodes characterized by muscle spasms, insomnia, nausea, anxiety, depression, fatigue, weakness and vivid dreams. The first couple lasted less than two weeks each, but the current one has been plaguing me for over a month and I have been nearly incapacitated some of that time. My sodium levels are down, but vary widely. Restarting oral salt tabs (1 g x 2 daily) seemed to kick off the most recent episode and leads to frequent urination, but no reliable impact of serum sodium.

I recently had an ACTH infusion test and the adrenals are responding normally. My intuition is that a malfunctioning pituitary may underlie the TH fluctuation, SIADH and contribute to the insomnia, anxiety and nausea, but I haven't been able to wrangle an endocrine consult. I'm not sure how one tests the pituitary function. Any insights or advice would be welcome.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Diabetes & Endocrine System Support Group.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 18, 2017

Hi @larrymay, welcome to Connect.
I wonder if you're post might be better placed in the Endocrine group? Let me know if you'd like me to move it there. I'm tagging fellow Connect members @kdubois @v1crew and @dawn_giacabazi who may have some similar experiences to share with you about hyponatremia, SIADH and pituitary function.

Endocrine issues are so difficult to nail down. I know that Kelly and Dawn can attest to that.
Larry, why haven't you been able to get an endocrine consult? You can't get a referral or are there no endocrine specialists in your area?

Larrymay | @larrymay | Aug 21, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @larrymay, welcome to Connect. I wonder if you're post might be better placed in the..." + (show)

Wonderful idea . . .yes, please move it. I'm new to the site and to these issues so I really appreciate the assist. There are endocrine specialists in the area, but my primary told me that they won't take a consult without some showing (sounds like a Catch-22). That's why he ordered the ACTH adrenal test himself. Thanks so much for the help.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Aug 21, 2017

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @larrymay, welcome to Connect. I wonder if you're post might be better placed in the..." + (show)

Your discussion has been moved. Please see all the Endocrine discussions here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/diabetes-and-endocrine-problems/ and follow the group.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 22, 2017

Hello @larrymay

Let me add my welcome to Mayo Connect. We are pleased that you have joined this online community dedicated to supporting patients and their caregivers. I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with so many varying problems and unable to see a specialist, you must find that frustrating. I do admire your persistence in looking for answers - persistence is the key in dealing with difficult to find diagnoses. I trust that some of our members will be able to help you in your search for answers.

Teresa

Kelly, Alumna Mentor | @kdubois | Sep 14, 2017

Hi @larrymay, welcome! Though I haven't been diagnosed with hyponatremia, I have a bit of experience with endocrine issues. I would definitely consult with an endocrinologist given the challenges you've experienced with your thyroid. The endocrine speciality is very complicated, and I've found that many general practitioners aren't fully-equipped to handle these conditions.

I think of the pituitary gland as the CPU of the endocrine system, and it's function can affect functions in your entire body just like a computer's CPU affects the function of an entire computer system. There are a slew of different tests that can be performed to determine pituitary function, and an endocrinologist would best determine what to test based on a history of your symptoms. Before seeing an endocrinologist, write down a journal with a history of your symptoms, timeline, etc.

Also, a special type of MRI has to be performed when imaging a pituitary gland, and many professionals don't realize this.

You also mentioned that your thyroid medicine needed to be changed frequently in response to varying TH levels. Which thyroid meds had been prescribed?

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Oct 5, 2017

Hi, @larrymay -- please let me add my welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thought you might like to meet some other members of our online community who have talked about hyponatremia, such as @v1crew, @torino1qm, and @bonnieh.

You may also be interested in this information from Mayo Clinic on the condition: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyponatremia/basics/definition/con-20031445

Also thought some of these members who've discussed syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) or other pituitary/endocrine conditions might have some insight for you: @Asil, @trinket, @pagray24, @hopeful33250, @wdd18054, @johnbishop and @upartist.

Wondering how things are going with the episodic problems you described previously?