The Aftermath

It has been two and a half months since surgery and about time for an update.

I've had my post-op blood work and visit with my specialist. It was basically a review on, at 8 weeks post-op, how the (hormonal) chips had fallen so far.

My pituitary is making ACTH hormone in the mid-range and my adrenals are responding. This is terrific news, coupled with the fact that I did not sustain any damage to my posterior pituitary or ability to produce ADH. I have no secondary adrenal insufficiency or diabetes inspidus, the two life-threatening hormone deficiencies. Very cool!

However, my levels of FSH, LH, TSH, IGF-1, Testosterone and DHEA are all very low. For now we are implementing testosterone gel, estrogen gel, DHEA and maintaining my thyroid medication. My T4 values are good, but my body doesn't seem to be converting T4 to T3 like it should be doing.

I'll do more lab work in 6 weeks and we'll see if I need to start growth hormone and T3 medication.

I have to say that losing my 2-1/2 year headache after surgery was more than I could ask for. Life without a headache is still so amazing to me that sometimes I just sit still and enjoy 'being'. I used to try to meditate in an effort to control the pain. Everyday I would practice and never quite get there. I think all of that practice was good for me and I find it easier to drop into relaxed state now.

Being hypopituitary isn't something I'm thankful for, I still wish I hadn't been put off for years and the damage would have been avoided. But it is a heck of a lot better than panhypopituitary, untreated hormone deficiencies, and a 8/10 headache. :)

I'm doing well.