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What Causes Hot Flashes, Whole Body Numbness And Anxiety?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Mar 2016
Question: My blood sugars have been running in the upper 300s my dr wanted me to increase my insulin doses which I did initially however, it wasn't working. I went back down to my usual dose of 10 units at bedtime and for the last couple days it has been in the mid 100s. I'm experiencing episodes where I get incredibly hot in my face and turn red but my Bp when my wife checks it -she's an rn- it's 130s/80s. Now I'm also having episodes that are getting more frequent where my whole body goes numb feeling. I can still move my extremities it doesn't hurt, but I feel pins and needles mostly in my feet and hands. I was taking norvasc but my primary dr took me off of that because of my blood sugars. I had also a cortisol level that was low about 2 weeks ago which is when he took me off of the norvasc. Nothing is making sense. I do have a pituitary tumor that produces prolactin and is being treated with caborgoline. I've had my recent MRI and the tumor is shrunk down, but my last prolactin level 2 weeks ago was 47. My other labs showed low sodium level and elevated liver enzymes. I have been having a lot of anxiety because I just don't feel like I am getting any better and nothing seems to help. What do I need to do? My primary dr is trying to get an appointment with an endo again. too make a long story short no appointment yet and that has been 3weeks of waiting for an appointment date. What do I need to do to feel better and get back to feeling like I'm living again? Everyday is scary because I don't know what's going to happen next! Thanks!
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Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Low cortiosl should be addressed.

Detailed Answer:
Good day,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I am surprised that an endocrinologist is not following you. Primary care doctor will find it hard to handle such a complex issue.
You seems to have multiple hormone deficiency arising due to pituitary adenoma.
It is unsafe to take synthroid when your cortisol levels are low. First the low cortisol level should be corrected by Hydrocortisone tablets and synthroid should only be added after that. The low sodium levels is likely to be due to low cortisol levels.
I would like to know your last testosterone levels as well.
Cabergoline in high doses also can cause flushing over face.

Diabetes seems to be doing good with the new dose of lantus.

Is it possible for you to attach your blood reports? Has an IGF-1 test been done anytime?

In short the symptoms what you have could be a combination of cortisol deficiency, low sodium and also from Cabergoline. You surely need an endocrinology review soon.

Regards
Binu
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 1439 Questions

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What Causes Hot Flashes, Whole Body Numbness And Anxiety?

Brief Answer: Low cortiosl should be addressed. Detailed Answer: Good day, Sorry to hear about your symptoms. I am surprised that an endocrinologist is not following you. Primary care doctor will find it hard to handle such a complex issue. You seems to have multiple hormone deficiency arising due to pituitary adenoma. It is unsafe to take synthroid when your cortisol levels are low. First the low cortisol level should be corrected by Hydrocortisone tablets and synthroid should only be added after that. The low sodium levels is likely to be due to low cortisol levels. I would like to know your last testosterone levels as well. Cabergoline in high doses also can cause flushing over face. Diabetes seems to be doing good with the new dose of lantus. Is it possible for you to attach your blood reports? Has an IGF-1 test been done anytime? In short the symptoms what you have could be a combination of cortisol deficiency, low sodium and also from Cabergoline. You surely need an endocrinology review soon. Regards Binu