Low Testosterone, Hypothyroid And Adrenal Issues

Skylark · June 24, 2011

On 6/24/2011 at 7:53 PM, landslide said:

I see, very interesting! The innate immunity you're referring to, I suppose it's the same as Dr Fasano mentions in the link below? "Their immune reactions were different, too [compared to Celiacs]. In the gluten-sensitive group, the response came from innate immunity, a primitive system with which the body sets up barriers to repel invaders."

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Yes, that's the study. The role of an innate IL-15 response as the first step in celiac is also pretty well documented. The model is gluten -> IL-15 through innate immunity -> interferon-gamma and NK cells -> inflammation and apoptosis of epithelial cells -> abnormal antigen presentation of gliadin by DQ2 or DQ8 -> anti-gliadin antibodies -> recruitment of CD8+ cells to the intestine to "kill" the gluten -> (insert uncertain mystery step) -> TTG antibodies -> celiac.

Thing is, it's looking more and more like just the IL-15 is enough to cause some folks a heap of trouble. Some research suggests that the loss of intestinal integrity is more a result of the innate immunity than autoimmunity.

Scratched teflon is bad news anyway. Sounds like it was time for nice, fresh pots.

landslide · June 25, 2011

On 6/24/2011 at 8:18 PM, Skylark said:

Yes, that's the study. The role of an innate IL-15 response as the first step in celiac is also pretty well documented. The model is gluten -> IL-15 through innate immunity -> interferon-gamma and NK cells -> inflammation and apoptosis of epithelial cells -> abnormal antigen presentation of gliadin by DQ2 or DQ8 -> anti-gliadin antibodies -> recruitment of CD8+ cells to the intestine to "kill" the gluten -> (insert uncertain mystery step) -> TTG antibodies -> celiac.

Thing is, it's looking more and more like just the IL-15 is enough to cause some folks a heap of trouble. Some research suggests that the loss of intestinal integrity is more a result of the innate immunity than autoimmunity.

Scratched teflon is bad news anyway. Sounds like it was time for nice, fresh pots.

Ok, very interesting model! If it's true that IL-15 is enough to cause problems, that would explain why some of my symptoms (IgA deficiency, elevated liver enzymes, subfertility, low platelet count, borderline anemia etc) point to celiac disease although I don't have elevated gluten antibodies.

landslide · July 5, 2011

Had an MRI with a contrast agent yesterday and everything was fine. Not that I was expecting anything else but it's always nice to know my pituitary is ok.

I have a thyroid ultrasound tomorrow. I also asked my doc to schedule a testicle ultrasound - might as well cover all bases while I'm at it.

landslide · July 6, 2011

Had a thyroid ultrasound today which came back normal. I wonder if a biopsy is needed if the ultrasound didn't show anything? I could get one if I want to, but there's obviously a risk associated with it... Any advice?

Skylark · July 6, 2011

I'm glad to hear everything is checking out OK. The time I had nodules on my thyroid, I was not referred for biopsy after a non-worrying thyroid ultrasound. You'll have to go with the advice of your doctors though.

landslide · July 7, 2011

Ok, so you had nodules that weren't visible on the ultrasound? Great... I can't really use any of the advice from my doctors since they are clueless. What bothers me is the inherent risk of having a biopsy and whether or not is warranted in my case. If I have nodules, being gluten-free would help, right? If I don't have nodules, I'm still staying gluten-free to see if issues resolve.

landslide · August 1, 2011

Here's an update with what I've been up to the last two months:

1. Abdomen ultrasound showed vascular changes on the liver. This is in combination with elevated AST and Bilirubin, though hepatitis blood tests were negative. I'm not sure of the clinical significance of these vascular changes and neither is my doctor. I'm going to make sure I see a better doc on this one.

2. Testicular ultrasound showed microcalicifications and small hydroceles, but I was told they were so small it was clinically insignificant. I have, however, requested a referral to a urologist to make sure a specialist has a look at the results given the fact that I am subfertile.

3. Sleep study ruled out sleep apnea, but I might have narcolepsy as I always keep waking up constantly through the night. I will see a specialist about this as well in a couple of months.

4. I've been in contact with a support group for people with Addison's disease and posted my insulin tolerance test results from 2004 and according to the people on that board, I failed the test, suggesting primary adrenal failure. The confusing part is that the doctor that ordered the test in 2004 wrote in my medical journal that the result was perfectly normal.

5. I'm still gluten-free (2 months now), but I can't say I feel that much better. I'm not constipated anymore, that's about it, but I still have incredibly low energy all the time which is quite noticeable when I work out. It's summer time here so the cold intolerance isn't a problem right now, but I know what's going to happen when the winter starts creeping up...

Aspirant · January 14, 2017

On 8/1/2011 at 7:22 PM, landslide said:

Here's an update with what I've been up to the last two months:

1. Abdomen ultrasound showed vascular changes on the liver. This is in combination with elevated AST and Bilirubin, though hepatitis blood tests were negative. I'm not sure of the clinical significance of these vascular changes and neither is my doctor. I'm going to make sure I see a better doc on this one.

2. Testicular ultrasound showed microcalicifications and small hydroceles, but I was told they were so small it was clinically insignificant. I have, however, requested a referral to a urologist to make sure a specialist has a look at the results given the fact that I am subfertile.

3. Sleep study ruled out sleep apnea, but I might have narcolepsy as I always keep waking up constantly through the night. I will see a specialist about this as well in a couple of months.

4. I've been in contact with a support group for people with Addison's disease and posted my insulin tolerance test results from 2004 and according to the people on that board, I failed the test, suggesting primary adrenal failure. The confusing part is that the doctor that ordered the test in 2004 wrote in my medical journal that the result was perfectly normal.

5. I'm still gluten-free (2 months now), but I can't say I feel that much better. I'm not constipated anymore, that's about it, but I still have incredibly low energy all the time which is quite noticeable when I work out. It's summer time here so the cold intolerance isn't a problem right now, but I know what's going to happen when the winter starts creeping up...

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