Please Help- Endocrine System Problem!?

[CorinaCrazed]

Sorry that this isn't strictly a Thyroid question. I have a normal TSH level (2.5), and normal T4 and T3 test results. This started about 5 years ago. I gained 30 to 40 lbs in a matter of 3-4 months, without any changes in my eating, lifestyle, or anything else that could explain this. I got stretchmarks from the rapid weight gain. I was 20 yrs old at the time, (I wasn't pregnant.) I also had extreme fatigue, insomnia, body aches, constipation, and headaches. My GP tested my Blood Cortisol level, but he just did an 8 am (fasting) test. (the test was repeated several times). My test levels were all below 1mcg. My doctor said he didn't know what to make of the test results and that it couldn't be Addison's because of the Weight Gain, and it couldn't be Cushing's because of the very low Cortisol, and left it at that. He retested me about a year later because I started losing weight rapidly. I lost all that I had gained before within a few months. My test results were "Normal" he said, so he just figured it fixed itself. But I have had my weight go back up, then down, and now back up again. (I did get pregnant in Jan. 2008 and I was in one of my low weight cycles, I had trouble getting pregnant, and then had trouble gaining enough weight during it. I was at about 150lbs a few months after the delivery, I hit a weight gain cycle in Sept. 2009, and am up to 191!, my highest ever)  Every time the weight change is rapid and around 30-40 lbs.  My other sypmtoms haven't ever gone away though, no matter what my weight is, in fact they have been gradually getting worse, and now they are really bad, especially the fatigue. I Sleep 12-16 hrs a day, and I feel weak, (it isn't depression). My GP even has had me on Ritalin (5mg and then 10mg) and now on Provigil(100mg and now 200mg), and they don't help much. Even when I am awake I am exhausted, and my mind moves slowly too. I don't know what to do, Any suggestions of what could cause this would be great. Any advice at all, Please!

[CorinaCrazed]

Thank You very much for taking time to answer my long question!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Would see an endocrinologist esp w/ the low cortisol but I agree the weight gain is not typical of addison's but the history merits general endocrine evaluation.