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Empty Sella: what does endocrinologist test?

Posted by marcia101 @marcia101, Jul 19, 2021

I was diagnosed with partially empty sella after an MRI for migraines and headaches. I was sent to an endocrinologist to test my thyroid and I thought the pituitary. My body temperature is all over the map and I suddenly have what feel like hot flashes 20 years post-menopause along with weight gain. I told him all of the symptoms I have not knowing if they were tied to partially empty sella or something else. He said none of it was partially empty sella and said menopausal symptoms I have are normal. I do not believe this is true.

He did a sonogram of the thyroid, lab tests but did not include hormone tests. I thought that would be one of the tests to see if that was part of my problem. Were those expectations wrong?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 23, 2021
In reply to @marcia101 "Thanks. I'm near the DC area and traveling to the Midwest is not appealing. I'm going..." + (show)
@marcia101

Thanks. I'm near the DC area and traveling to the Midwest is not appealing. I'm going to go to a new primary care physician next month and the neurologist next week and hope for more guidance from both of them. Trying to do this on my own is challenging. Meanwhile, I got the name of an endocrinologist at a university hospital as a possible person to call. Once we figure out a plan, I'll post.

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Great to hear! I hope you find just the right doctor.

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Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Jul 24, 2021
In reply to @marcia101 "Thanks. I'm near the DC area and traveling to the Midwest is not appealing. I'm going..." + (show)
@marcia101

Thanks. I'm near the DC area and traveling to the Midwest is not appealing. I'm going to go to a new primary care physician next month and the neurologist next week and hope for more guidance from both of them. Trying to do this on my own is challenging. Meanwhile, I got the name of an endocrinologist at a university hospital as a possible person to call. Once we figure out a plan, I'll post.

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I agree it’s challenging. I find it takes unnecessary energy just to get the right answers. Good luck!

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oldkarl | @oldkarl | Jul 24, 2021

I have to see an endocrinologist to get some of the testing done that is required to keep my Abbott GL monitor. I love that thing. It is terrible task to keep it dry, even with the water shields. Beyond that, I really don't think my endo tests anything other than my patience. This Samaritan system changes almost all their pro staff ever six months or so. In the 20 years I have been with them, I have met only one of the endos more than once. About 15 of them I have never met in person. My rheumatologist, I have met about 4-5 times, but he deals only with arthritis, and since I have been diagnosed with over 30 diseases, syndromes, etc. beyond arthritis, my time with him is limited. He is in the same office as the endos, 100 miles away. many cancers, blood issues, tissue crash-bangs, etc. impact me that I really must take care of without any doctor's real help. I don't like it, but it is what it is.

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paris48 | @paris48 | Jul 24, 2021

I am waiting for your results. A few years ago I went to my primary doctor with headaches. She had me get a CT, which showed my sella empty. So she sent me for a MRI, which showed a partial empty sella. She didn’t seem
concerned but she did send me to a nerve doctor who just gave me meds for nerve pain. That was the end of it all for me, but I still get head pains.

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