PCS or Pituitary dysfunction?
 

Is PCS really just a problem with the pituitary?
If so, why do they say PCS prognosis is excellent yet pituitary not so much?
Many of the symptoms seem the same. It seems doctors are dismissive of the link, do they have good reason to be?

Your post is confusing.

You said<If so, why do they say PCS prognosis is excellent yet pituitary not so much? >

Please elaborate.

From what I understand, concussion can cause pituitary damage thus hormone malfunction. Many with PCS benefit from broad hormone testing so that hormone replacement can be done.

I take DHEA to help with hormone regulation. I am waiting for a recent DHEA blood test to see how my DHEA levels are.

The common hormones tested for PCS are all the thyroid tests (T3, T4, TSH) testosterone, progesterone, estradiol, DHEA, and DHT (dihydrotestosterone)

What might be some of the signs and symptoms of pituitary damage resulting from a concussion?

I know the literature seems to suggest PCS prognosis is excellent. Yet everything on pituitary seems to suggest damage doesn't get any better.

Is there any way to distinguish one from the other?

I saw a blog from a former hockey player (which was pulled), but basically suggested PCS of more than 30 days was likely due to pituitary issues:

If I learned anything from it that I can pass on: the pituitary gland plays a huge part in Post-Concussion Syndrome, and our writer contests that it should be checked in all cases where PCS extends beyond 30 days.
-Jason Bourne

SI33,

Again, you are not being specific. What literature is saying what?

There is lots of old comments about how PCS is rarely long lasting. This is erroneous information, I believe this is based on the fact that PCS subjects stop complaining because their doctors stopped or never where listening.

Do you have personal symptoms that are not being addressed?

It is not very easy to make broad comments that are accurate. There are a myriad of different permutations of PCS symptoms. Pituitary may be involved but most doctors are not informed enough to look into pituitary issues.

When you say <and our writer contests> Who are you referring to?

I believe SI33 is referring to a blog post by a hockey player named jason bourne who had pcs. The post was subsequently taken down right after it was posted because there was "disagreement within the family". The person he was referring to might have been a team doctor who suggested that pcs >30 days might indicate pituitary issues. i am just now finding out about pituitary problems and pcs. my symptoms, fatigue and insomnia seem to correlate with hypopituitarism.

The main point is, if PCS is pituitary problems, why do they say PCS resolves itself in most cases within 3-6 months yet the prognosis on pituitary problems isn't considered so good?

Is it a temporary dysfunction of pituitary hormones or something?

Doesn't make much sense.

I think the issue is that some PCS is pituitary related. And in some cases, the pituitary gets better or recovers some of its normal function. Since the pituitary is controlled by the brain, the pituitary dysfunction can be from damaged signaling from the brain or a damaged pituitary.

If you were to read up on the signaling mechanisms, you will learn that they are very sensitive chemical processes. The toxins left in the brain after a concussion can throw off many different signaling mechanisms. That is why PCS subjects do best when they control the foods they consume and focus on properly feeding the brain. Limiting stress is also important because the stress hormones and stress toxins make these signaling systems go sideways fast.

This is a futile question until you get blood work completed. Then you will have more information to use in the equation.

si33 ask your doctor to refer you to an endocrinologist if you feel fatigued, have sexual dysfunction, are seeing muscle loss and fat gain, are urinating clear liquid and are constantly dehydrated. he'll probably check your testosterone levels, thyroxine, anti diuretic hormone. its best to cover all bases in your fight against pcs.