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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Received 3rd Cervical Epidural For Herniations, Put On Weight, High On MCV. Is This The Cause ?

Yes, in December of 2011 i received my third cervical epidural for herniations. Within two days of receiving the shot I had cushingoid symptoms (puffy face, hump back and The Hulk shoulders) and within two weeks I put on 25 pounds. My doctors told me to take my diet below 1000 calories a day and excercise as much as i can. I did both and continue to gain weight. My thyroid tests come back fine even thought hypothyroidism runs in my family (grandparents, father and 3 sisters). I am about to see my third endocrinologist and feel it will be to no avail. Can a consistantly high MCV (104.2) and MCH (35.5) indicate hypothyroidism?
Sat, 24 Aug 2013
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hello

YES , hypothyroidism does cause macrocytosis , with increase in cell size so increase in MCH and MCV , usually MCV is greater than 100 , there are other causes of macrocytosis as well , but with strong family history , swelling through out the body usually causing increase in weight due to water retention due to Hypothyroidism

Get a recheck of Tsh level as you have strong history , other cause can be cushing so get cortisol and acth level done as well , as macrocytosis do occur in this too.

hope this helps.

Take care
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Received 3rd Cervical Epidural For Herniations, Put On Weight, High On MCV. Is This The Cause ?

Hello YES , hypothyroidism does cause macrocytosis , with increase in cell size so increase in MCH and MCV , usually MCV is greater than 100 , there are other causes of macrocytosis as well , but with strong family history , swelling through out the body usually causing increase in weight due to water retention due to Hypothyroidism Get a recheck of Tsh level as you have strong history , other cause can be cushing so get cortisol and acth level done as well , as macrocytosis do occur in this too. hope this helps. Take care