This morning, the blood vampires took 15 vails of my blood. Tuesday I saw an Endocrinologist to figure out the possible reasons why I keep lose weight and irregular menstrual cycle.  She ordered blood tests to check my:

• Vitamin B12  

• Methylmalonic Acid:  This can help diagnose an early or mild vitamin b12 deficient. MMA is a substance produced in very small amounts in the body. It is necessary for metabolism and energy production.

• Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy: Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and maintain strong bones throughout your entire life.This test is the best way to monitor vitamin D levels. People who suffer from diseases  that affects the intestines such as,  Celiac Disease and Chrons Disease,  are prone to having a Vitamin D deficiency. 

• Prolactin: This is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain.Symptoms of prolactinoma in women include; unexplained headaches, visual impairment, galactorrhea, or lactation outside of childbirth or nursing, pain or discomfort during sex, abnormal growth of body and facial hair, abnormal acne. 

• Lh+FSH (FSH): Test for follicle-stimulating hormone, a hormone associated with reproduction and the development of eggs in women and sperm in men. The test may be used with other hormone tests such as luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, estradiol, and/or progesterone to help: Determine the cause of infertility, diagnose conditions associated with dysfunctions of the ovaries aid in the diagnosis of pituitary or hypothalamus disorders, which can affect FSH production. In women, FSH levels are also useful in the investigation of menstrual irregularities, predicting onset or confirmation of menopause.

• Estradiol: It plays a role in; growth of the womb, fallopian tubes, and vagina, breast development, changes of the outer genitals, distribution of body fat. This test can check: 1. How well your ovaries, placenta, or adrenal glands work. 2. Signs of ovarian tumor. 3.  If male or female body characteristics are not developing normally. 4. If your periods have stopped.

• CBC- Complete Blood Count

• Testosterone: Testosterone is the main sex hormone in men. Although it is considered to be a “male” sex hormone, it is present in the blood of both males and females. Testosterone test may be used to help evaluate conditions such as: Delayed puberty in boys. Decreased sex drive in men and women. Erectile dysfunction in men, infertility in men and women. Hypothalamus or pituitary disorders, hirsutism and virilization in girls and women.

• Dhea-sulfate: evaluate adrenal gland function, help diagnose tumors in the outer layer of the adrenal gland and adrenal cancer.

• 17-Hydroxyprogesterone, Quantitative:  measures the amount of 17-OH progesterone. This is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands and sex glands.

• Acth, Plasma- measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone in the blood. It’s a hormone released from the pituitary gland in the brain. The main function of ACTH is to regulate the steroid hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland. It regulates blood pressure and blood sugar. This can help find the causes of certain hormone problems.

• Cortisol, Am:  Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Whenever you experience something your body perceives as a threat, like a large dog barking at you, a chemical known as ACTH is released in your brain. This triggers your adrenal glands to release cortisol and adrenalin. It is the main hormone involved in stress and the fight-or-flight response. This is a natural and protective response. There are certain diseases, which affect the amount of cortisol your adrenal gland produces. This test is used in the diagnosis of these diseases and as a way to assess the functioning of the adrenal and pituitary glands. Addison’s disease and Cushings disease.

• TSH:  a thyroid-stimulating hormones is used to check for thyroid gland problems. TSH is produced when the hypothalamus releases a substance called thyrotropin-releasing hormone. TRH then triggers the pituitary gland to release TSH.

• T3:  a free or total triiodothyronine test is used to assess thyroid function. Used to diagnose hyperthyroidism and may be ordered to help monitor treatment of a person with known thyroid disease.

• T4:  is a hormone that plays a role in several body functions, including growth and metabolism. This helps in diagnosing hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland), thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (occasional muscle weakness caused by high levels of thyroid hormone).

• CMP: Comprehensive metabolic panel is a blood test that measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function.

• Ferritin: is a protein that stores iron, releasing it when your body needs it.  The greatest concentrations of ferritin are typically in the cells of the liver (known as hepatocytes) and immune system (known as reticuloendothelial cells). 

• Celiac Disease Comprehensive Panel

These are all the things my doctor is checking. I will keep you posted on results. She diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Pituitary and  Adrenal Failure.