My sister is 22 years old and for the past three years she has had hot flashes, weight loss, crazy periods and mood swings. She just now went to her first ob appointment they did a hormone test and the results were wierd. Her body is in breast feeding mode with no lactating. They said it could be a patuitary gland problem. She had another blood draw this morning at a resting state and were waiting on the results. anyone with anything similar.
Hi J. -
She could be having thyroid problems (also dealt with by an endocrinologist). I have an overactive thyroid, and had similar symptoms before I was treated (with anti-thyroid medication). The thyroid is nothing to be messed with, so any problems should be treated right away.
Good luck.
Dana
Not to freak you out, but a tumor on the pituitary gland can cause it to stimulate or over stimualte, causing problems like this. Make sure that they check into EVERHTHING that could be causing this. This is not normal.
Have they checked her thyroid? Those are also hyperthyroid symptoms.
Hello J., Your sister needs to see an endocrinologist. Hormones are their specialty. Even if it is a pituitary tumor it can be treated without surgery. Good luck.
J. ~
I'm not trying to scare you, but you asked for help.
Please have your sister go for an MRI of the head....it could be a pituitary tumor...not necessarily a deadly thing, though! so don't get scared...one of the girls I work with has this, and has had a baby since her diagnosis...they put her on medication and followed her for awhile (I'm sure she still sees someone)....at one point it had shrunk quite a bit, so she's been doing very well.
D.
Prolactin is secreted by the pituitary gland. When there is a problem with the gland, it can secrete the hormone inappropriately. They are probably doing a work up and tests to check the gland. They may send her to an endocrinologist (hormone specialist).
Hi J..... A gal I work with, her husband just had this same thing.. A tumor on his patuitary gland... Of course he didn't have "brease feeding' symptoms, but the weight issues and blurred vision among some other hormone issues... His was the size of a grapefruit.. It was shrunk with meds.. No surgery needed... I guess it's very common, good luck :) And I'm sure it will all work out fine for her :)
Prolactinomia. I have it after I lost a baby. My hormones just never went back to normal.
I have had it for at least 10 years. I take medicine daily to decrease the hormones so I can have a regular cycle. I do not take the meds when pregnant or nursing. I see an endocrinologist for this. I have a MRI every year and they do not see a tumor but the blood work shows high prolactin levels. You would be amazed at how many people have this (even men).
I have found that with diet, exercise and a great outlook I can greatly reduce my dependency to meds.
Have your sister see an endocrinologist referred by her OB/GYN. She needs to get this checked out as soon as possible. I wish her luck - she will be alright.
Yes, I have heard of this. My wife had a pituitary tumor! Her prolactin levels were high, she had an unusually high sex drive, couldn't lose weight. She was NOT lactating either. The tumor was benign and very small. She had to take bromocriptine (it is a chemo drug). The tumor did shrink and she has her prolactin level checked every year and has an MRI every few years. We have another friend who had this same tumor as well! Apparently, this tumor is very common.I would suggest she get an MRI!! You and your family are in our thoughts!
Is it her prolactin level that is high? That's the hormone that is high when breastfeeding. There is a chance it could be a tumor (benign) in her pituitary gland, it called a PROLACTINOMA. Google the word and you and your sister can find out some info on symptoms and see if they are what your sister is experiencing. I'm not in the medical field, I just remember reading about this at some point.
Is she maybe going through early menapause?? A friend of mine experienced these similiar symptoms at the age of 24 and after MUCH testing, this is what her doctor discovered. I think that they did some things to try to reverse her body's natural aversion to beginning early menapause, but in the end, it didn't work. Unfortunately, she is not able to have children because of this. I'm hoping the best for your sis.
My mom had a similar issue - she had a benign tumor on growing on her patuitary gland. It was not cancerous and these days can be removed via lazer or meds. Although my mom was lactating without being pregnant. Have her request to her doctor to get an MRI right away, or she could experience tunnel vision.
Have her ask for a MRI. I currently have a tumor on my pituitary gland and one of the clues is high prolactin high is the lactation hormone. NO CANCER. No threats, easy procedure for removal so dont get worried. But have her mention it.
