Thyroid or hormonal imbalance?

[Westgrl]

Just curious if anyone has thyroid or hormonal imbalances? Or possibly Cushing's?

I have symptoms that really can't be explained away by my MS and I refuse to just sit back & accept it. Some of those symptoms are female issues (won't go into details) that 5 different gynecologists can't seem to diagnose. I finally asked to have my hormone levels tested & was told no. Based simply on my age of 37 and that I still get my period.

This led me to do more research on it & I found that endocrinologists often deal with hormonal issues. This also led me into thyroid & cortisol (Cushing's Syndrome) and I'm feeling more & more like I should just make an appointment to see an endocrinologist. I have many of the symptoms for high cortisol levels.

I also read that people with MS are more likely to have thyroid issues. Cushing's only connection to MS that I could find was because of steroid treatments but since I have not had any of those, that wouldn't be the case for me. I'm just curious to see if anyone else here has any of these issues?

[MSer102]

I finally asked to have my hormone levels tested & was told no. Based simply on my age of 37 and that I still get my period.

This led me to do more research on it & I found that endocrinologists often deal with hormonal issues.

Well its more than that. Endocrinology is the specialty that specifically deals with hormones and the glands that make them. So I'd say that all day every day is pretty often!

My HMO won't check sex hormone levels either so your not alone on that one. My HMO was willing to do exploratory surgery but wouldn't even to blood tests to check my hormone levels first to see if that was the problem! I even saw an endocrinologist and he wouldn't do the sex hormone test either. I guess the HMO allowed him to test my thyroid levels but my GP already does that so thanks for nothing doc.

Waaay back when I was in college I used to see an endocrinologist about a thyroid goiter and low thyroid and some other hormone problems. If your gynecologists won't even order blood tests then it might be a good idea to try another route and see an endocrinologist. You might have to ask specifically for some tests just because you need to put your mind at ease not necessarily because the doctor thinks you need them. After all they're just blood tests for Pete's sake!

Do you have a GP to help you? Your GP should be able to order thyroid and cortisol tests and a glucose tolerance test to at least get you started. But if none of your docs will order tests then it sounds like the endocrinologist is the specialist to see. Good luck!

[SNOOPY]

Usually when Cortisol levels are tested they are looking for Addison's Disease.

Cushing's Disease is rare but can be steroid induced.

Hormone testing is not usually done unless a problem is suspected. I had hormone testing when I was 21 years old. I have Polycystic-ovarian syndrome:
http://womenshealth.gov/publications...y-syndrome.cfm

This causes hormonal imbalances, however the symptoms of PCOS start in the early teen years.

Information about Cushings Disease:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0901/p1119.html

Information about Addison's Disease:
http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/...n/addison.aspx