Confused about my results

[kuuipo14]

My Endocrinologist called about my results of my recent MRI of the brain. I suffer from chronic daily headaches and migraines and have numerous other symptoms such as fatigue, visual problems, numbness, vertigo, weakness, swallowing disorders, chronic pain, depression and memory problems. I have been seeing the Endocrinologist for my Hypothyroidism and he had been doing bloodwork and it has been off as well. Prolactin is very high and my Thyroid Antibodies have been very high the last few tests I have had done.

The Endocrinologist and Neurologist both agreed to do a MRI of the brain to make sure there wasn't a tumor on the pituitary gland.

On the radiology report it states "areas of increased FLAIR signal are identified in the bilateral centrum semiovale and periventricular white matter" can you explain what this might mean? I was told to see my Neurologist, that it's possibly MS (which I am in 2 weeks) but that is too long to wait for an answer. In addition, I am going for a second opinion to the Mayo Clinic and would like a heads up before I go. Can you help me with this? Thank you! I have been going through this pain for 5+ years now.

[MsmsinFl]

I got a 2nd opinion from Dr Shuster at Mayo in J'ville -- really loved her!   Others in this group have seen her & liked her too.

At Mayo, they have a comprehensive approach to diagnosis, so if there's any question, the doctors in other specialties are there to get involved with diagnosis.

Be patient -- I thought the 2-week wait to get in to Mayo was horrible, until I read the posts her & saw how long many folks have to wait to see a neuro.

And when you go, take everything -- copies of your MRIs, lab tests, list of meds & vitamins you're taking, list of symptoms, etc.

[kuuipo14]

Thank you all for your input. It helped and I will see my neurologist in 2 weeks and follow up with the 2nd opinion at Mayo in Florida after that.  Thanks for making me feel better and clearing some things up :)

Hope everyone is doing okay today!

Kuuipo

[tonyad]

  Hi and Welcome to the Forum. I too am a Fellow Floridian.
Not to far from you :)  

   Causes of high prolactin levels (known as hyperprolactinemia) include such things as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and a prolactinoma or other type of pituitary tumor. Certain medications (such as trifluoperazine) and hypothyroidism are also possible causes of high prolactin levels.

   These medicines include:
The major tranquilizers trifluoperazine (Stelazine®) and haloperidol (Haldol®)
Metoclopramide (Reglan®), used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and the nausea caused by certain cancer drugs
Methyldopa
Reserpine.

    With all that being said, If it were some type of tumor it seems as though it would have been detected on the MRI.  I could be wrong and someone please correct me if I am...But, an MRI is a great tool to use in detecting tumors of that nature and since nothing is mentioned in seeing any type of tumor......perhaps that can be ruled out??
But I am no doctor and do not play one on TV (Lol)

   Wanted to add also:
Autoimmune diseases can result from hormonal, immune and metabolic processes. This study was done to determine levels of prolactin (PRL), ferritin, vitamin D and tumor marker tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA) in autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSC), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS), antiphospholipid syndrome and immune thyroid disease. Serum samples were tested from 1,029 patients.
      High prolactin levels (hyperprolactinemia) were seen in PM (24%), SLE (21%), MS (6.7%), RA (6%) and SSC (3%).

   Hope this makes some kind of sense.
Take Care,
~Tonya

[biowham]

Even if these are MS lesions, I don't think that's going to explain the prolactin. As Ess said, two weeks isn't that long--some of us have been going through testing and other things for years--but I'm guessing that they're also still going to have to track down the cause of the prolactin secretion. Regarding your thyroid Abs, which ones are they?

Are you having any signs of a prolactinoma, like milk from the breasts? I'm assuming the report didn't note any masses in the pituitary?

Bio

[essdipity]

Hello and welcome.

Your MRI report shows that you have brain lesions in areas typical of MS. That does not mean you have MS, but things are pointing in that direction. Two weeks really isn't so long, and you may not have complete answers even then. This is a tough disease to diagnose.

I hope you have good luck at Mayo. We hear lots of negative things about it, but apparently there are some good neuros there as well, at least in the FL facility.

Meanwhile, please take time to look at our Health Pages (yellow icon at top right). Many of your questions will be answered, and ask here about any others.

Sending good wishes for answers for you soon.

ess