More Tests!!

So, got the results of my third (and hopefully last) blood test and it looks like most things are normal. The weird thyroid function is the same, my cortisol is really high, and my levels of prolactin (some hormone that regulates the immune system) are high also. Dr Moppet said today that the high levels of cortisol are pretty much in keeping with having a severe mood disorder -- the levels are much higher in the mornings which is why depressed people tend to feel worse in the mornings with fluctuation of their moods throughout the day. So, nothing we didn't already know.

Now, here comes the fun; the prolactin is high, though not super high, and as a result, the good doctor wants me to have a CT scan "on the centre of your brain" (his words). He also suggested that I do it tomorrow, but I'm doing it Friday morning because tomorrow's a busy day. Naturally I asked what the point of the scan was and he said that the high prolactin and weird thyroid stuff might be as a result of something weird going on with my pituitary gland. Like, in his words, "maybe a little tumour." Now, he did say that it's most likely to be nothing, as these things are fairly rare, but it could account for the strange stuff going on and it's best to be thorough, which I agree with. And, if it is something, I might need a little minor surgery to deal with the tumour. But again, he said it's unlikely but it's best to check.

Fortunately the pituitary gland is brain-adjacent real estate, not in the brain proper, and they go in through the nose or upper lip, rather than in through the brain, so that's all good. Whether there's anything there or not remains to be seen after the scan on Friday, and I'll go back to the doctor for the results after that and try to work this whole thing through. 

I'm not as worried as I could be...I think that has something to do with the medication -- it doesn't let me be as anxious as I might otherwise be if I wasn't in treatment, but also having had a quick Google, I've been able to allay my fears about long, arduous hospital stays, shaved heads and staples in the scalp. Fortunately, even if there is something there, it's not going to be anywhere near that dramatic, for which I am eternally grateful.

Anyway, thought I'd keep you cats abreast of the action since you've all been so good to me with your comments and kind words and thoughts. I'm so grateful to have you guys around for all of that, even just in an online capacity. Makes life much smoother when you realises that there are people out there who give a shit and like you even without having met you. It's kind of nice.

xx