Come diagnose me

[HowsTheSerenity]

I've been like this for years. I've been tested for hashimotos, cushiness, chronic fatigue etc. I'm just run down apparently. I eat an ok diet. I shift work so eating and sleeping patterns are bad.

These are my symptoms:

Fatigue
Poor memory
Constant coughs & colds
Depressed
Iron deficiency - low ferritin
No energy
Poor skin
Dry hair
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Easily bruising
Tiredness
Low BP

Admittedly I'm very stressed due to work and life.

I'm just over feeling like crap all the time.

Any idea?

[MonterayJack]

I've got a lot of the same symptoms (my bp is high though rather than low) and have just been told my Vit D levels are too low and have prescribed a supplement. Apparantly low D is very common in the UK and can cause painful muscles and joints, fatigue, sweating, headaches, depression.


6 months ago my ferritin level was 38 which is within range but apparantly way too low for hair health. I was referred to a dermatologist for dry, thin, brittle and falling out hair and she said she would like that level to be around 100. She prescribed ferrous fumerate tabs 120mg 1 a day. My level has doubled in the 6 months I've been taking it. Have you been prescribed anything for your low levels?

I think if you haven't had vit d test and if your ferritin levels aren't being supplemented properly, then it's worth looking into these. It's so rotten feeling crap and so hard trying to get to the bottom of why.

[HowsTheSerenity]

My vitamin D is fine. My ferritin is about 6. So not great.
Iron tablets don't work. I take a multivitamin.
I think I need to win the lottery and never work again!

[MrsCakesPremonition]

All your symptoms, including the digestive problems, low iron and memory issues can be associated with Lupus (SLE).
Whatever your actual disorder, proper diagnosis and appropriate medication should have you feeling much better. Please ask your GP for a referral to a rheumatology consultant.
I'm sorry you are feeling so rubbish and I hope you get some answers soon.

[HowsTheSerenity]

I've had an iron infusion and it worked for a short time.
I had t actually thought of lupus. Something to check.
Thanks

[sideshowbob2]

have you had you thyroid checked??

[hashtagwhatever]

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

[idontlikealdi]

6 is way way too loo. Mine was 5 after EMCS and I had to have a transfusion and was on iron tablets for months.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

Don't stress about Lupus too much. They have very specific symptoms to be diagnosed with and you haven't described them.

Do you know if you've been tested for vitamin D and inflammatory markers?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

That could all point to problems with your thyroid gland in terms of hypothyroidism. That's enough to make anyone feel ropey.

Were you tested for thyroid problems previously, you need up to date test results anyway.

You should have blood tests redone, if GP is unhelpful then see another one within the practice or change GP practice. Some GPs do not seem to recognise such issues readily so you need a referral to an endocrine specialist.

Do not put up with this, you have gone on like this for years on end and have been let down.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index.html is an informative UK based non woo website.

[HowsTheSerenity]

Thyroid has been checked.
Never been checked for coeliac.
My ferritin is always that low. It perks up with an infusion but drops quickly again.
Periods aren't that heavy anymore.
I'll ask about the inflammatory markers. I know I'm not vitamin d deficient (live in Australia).
Thanks everyone. I have more to annoy my GP with.

[candycoatedwaterdrops]

If you've been tested for Hashimoto's, then your thyroid will have been checked, surely - TSH, T4 and thyroid antibodies.