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Can Tumours Cause Tachycardia, Confusion, Night Sweats And Insomnia?
After four months of tests and docs, we thought we had finally settled on Graves Disease. But the radio iodine test showed thyroiditis so we changed the diagnosis. In May I was diagnosed with a lung tumor (my doc calls all growths tumors, cancer or not) and my docs disagreed on how to hande it. Now my endo thinks its is "very significant" so they did bloodwork and a 24 hr urine collection today. I have tachycardia that averages 132 and spiked at 168 even with beta blockers. We used to blame the tachycardia on my hyperhtyoidism but they believed it was very high for just being a thyroid issue. They couldnt find any underlying issues and we cant blame it on my thyroid now. They believe this lung tumor is either a carcinoma or a neuroendocrine tumor. They are also checking for pituitary tumors. Can one of these tumors cause all of the issues they blamed on my thyroid (tachycardia, loss of memory, confusion, tremors, night sweats, unexplained weight loss, insomnia, anxiety) or is it something different? Since none of my symptoms have responded to treatment, we are worried one of these tumors might be the culprit. Can they cause all of this? How dangerous are they? Is it cancer? what will they do with me next?
Wed, 11 Mar 2015
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
Your symptoms might be related to the presence of a neuroendocrine lung tumor. These are tumors which secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters. This causes about 1 to 2 percent of lung cancers and can cause cardiovascular problems, mental confusion and increased heart rate.
Your diagnosis needs to be confirmed at first. Confirmation requires doing additional tests. The basic test usually includes assessment of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in a 24 hour urine. This test can pick up a neuroendocrine tumor in 75 percent cases. If you are ordered this test then you must avoid eating tryptophan rich foods (chocolate, certain types of cheeses) for a couple of days before the test.
There are other blood tests to be done if urine test is positive. This includes blood tests can be used including tests for 5 HIAA, chromogranin A, bradykinin, kallikrein, and substance P among others. Treatment involves giving medications that will counteract the effect of neuroendocrine tumors.
Thanks for writing in.
Your symptoms might be related to the presence of a neuroendocrine lung tumor. These are tumors which secrete chemicals called neurotransmitters. This causes about 1 to 2 percent of lung cancers and can cause cardiovascular problems, mental confusion and increased heart rate.
Your diagnosis needs to be confirmed at first. Confirmation requires doing additional tests. The basic test usually includes assessment of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in a 24 hour urine. This test can pick up a neuroendocrine tumor in 75 percent cases. If you are ordered this test then you must avoid eating tryptophan rich foods (chocolate, certain types of cheeses) for a couple of days before the test.
There are other blood tests to be done if urine test is positive. This includes blood tests can be used including tests for 5 HIAA, chromogranin A, bradykinin, kallikrein, and substance P among others. Treatment involves giving medications that will counteract the effect of neuroendocrine tumors.
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