thanks, doc! that's some excellent information. after a 25+ year battle with agorophobia, i'll be ticked if it was one of the things you mentioned, as i've had many blood panels etc checked over the years, but always through my gp, who is really a nice guy, but maybe not qualified enough in the areas you suggested. thanks for the info---think i'll be calling an endocronologist in the a.m. have a good evening, and thanks for the research!