Hi, my name is Kara. About a month and a half ago I went in to see my dermatologist for the first time in over 7 years b/c I've been having some trouble with acne since my 4 year old son was born. On my second visit he felt my neck and looked at my fingers/nuckles (the whole time I'm thinking he's absolutely insane, what could this possibly have to do with my zits? LMAO) and found that I have hyperpigmentation on my nuckles on my fingers and toes. He asked me if anyone in my family had Addison's Disease or Graves disease, or if I had ever been diagnosed with a Thyroid problem. I had no clue what he was talking about of course. He had me come back later in the week for some fasting bloodwork, and the results came back as having elevated liver enzymes, hypothyroid, and adrenal something-or-other (can't remember exactly what he said). He said that I should definately go to my regular doctor to get tested for Addison's Disease.
About a year or so (maybe longer) ago I had some testing done b/c I suffer from infertility and I have elevated ANA antibodies (speckled pattern titre of 1:160+). I was sent to a Rheumatologist b/c they thought I may have Lupus (it runs in my family). I have had Thyroid tests done on multiple occasions before b/c of this reason also, and according to my doctors it always came back normal. I have looked at numerous websites about Addison's Disease and from what I've read it sounds highly likely that I have it, I even suffer from most all of the sympoms and have for years.
My question is, could the positive antibody test, suddenly showing up being hypothyroid and everything else have some sort of a connection or does it look like I could have Addison's disease? I brought this up with my PCP after my dermatologist suggested the possibility of Addison's and she totally blew me off. I have yet to sit down and talk to her about the results of all of his tests, yet I feel I will still get the run around from her...everything is always a virus to her, she never seems to give a deffinate diagnosis for anything. I do not need a referal to see a specialist, do you think that if she won't test me I should just make an appointment to see an Endocrinologist? I really want some answers to how I've been feeling...my husband is always teasint me "When do you NOT feel crappy/sick?". Also, I've heard that all of this can cause infertility and miscarriages and I'd like to get that fixed b/c we've been trying for 3 years to get pg, with 5 miscarriages in that time.
Thanks in advance for your help. Sorry this was so long!!
When I started to read your post, it sounded so much like me that I found myself thinking for a split second that I had in fact typed the post; however, there were differences from me so I then knew it wasn't me. I have to tell you, though, it was really ominous. I, too, had an elevated ANA of 1:160 which is 4 times what it should be and they thought I had lupus. I have brown markings on my upper lip, cheek bones, ankle, big toes, and creases in my abdomen. I was told I had Hashimotos Thyroiditis, but my TSH and other thyroid tests always comes back normal. I only had one son and then was divorced. My next relationship was with someone who'd had a vasectomy so pregnancies were not possible anyways. So, you can see the eerie similarities.
I would definitely make an appointment with either an endocrinologist asap or with an alternative doctor who perhaps deals in anti-aging (but not necessarily) because they seem to recognize and treat adrenal problems more readily than other doctors or at least that seems to be my experience.
Kira,
Boy, your story sounds a lot like mine. 2 yrs ago I had a ANA test and it came back as 1:640 speckled pattern. I have 3 of the criteria but not a 4th to be totally diagnosed with SLE. But I have lots of symptoms, although many of them have lessened or abated.
The last 4 or 5 wks have been extremely tough, have had lots of symptoms returning and I went to see my primary. She had me tested again and called me a few days later. Ya know it's not right when the actual doc calls you instead of the nurse. She told me I had low cortisol levels, high potassium levels and to come in to take a ACTH test. I did that last week and am awaiting results.
Oh, this is getting long...in any case I asked her if my probable Lupus is related to Addisons if in fact I check positive for Addisons and she said yes. SLE attacks any organ in the body so a secondary automimmune disease is highly possible. My sister has Mystenia Gravis, an endo autoimmune disease so I think the family thing doesn't exactly work in our favor.
Good luck to you, I hope you have an easy time getting a dx. I'm crossing my fingers I'll know one way or another in a few days.
Kara, You shouldn't wait any longer. An Edocrinologist will be able to positively diagnose your problem. Most doctors don't have any experience diagnosing Addisons Disease because it is so rare (1/100,000). It is often not properly diagnosed until it suddenly takes a turn for the worst and you fall into an Addisonian crisis, which is fatal without immediate action!!! An Endocrine doctor can put you on the road to recovery. My teenage son ALWAYS FELT HORRIBLE too. He was continuously misdiagnosed (they thought he had bad depression...WRONG!) for 2 years until going into Addisonian Crisis. He would have died had we not already been at the hospital, because he begun to get sicker quickly. Once diagnosed and placed on meds...he was better in one week than he had been in two years. If you show any signs of possible Addisons Disease GO SEE THE ENDOCRINOLOGIST!!! My son craved anything salty or sour, had hyperpigmentation in freckles, knuckles and gumline and even looked a bit tan (more than usual). He felt light headed when standing up, became week and listless and his memory got weaker. He had a low body temp also. Basically, youre body is shutting down, because your adrenal glands provide every cell in your body the ability to withstand mental and physical stress along with maintaining a healthy sodium level.
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