What's going on? Have aged overnight :-(

[ItsGotBellsOn]

Not literally overnight, but in the last few months - I just seem to have aged and look really tired and ill. Didnt know whether to put this in Healthy or Style & Beauty and feel like a bit of a weirdo seeing a GP about my looks, but wondered if anyone else has experienced this.

I don't feel ill, but when I look in the mirror, I am aware that I suddenly look awful. Photos of me from six months ago show that I definitely looked much better, younger, fresher.

My skin is awful. It feels nice to the touch - smooth and not dry - but looks thin and papery and every tiny wrinkle seems pronounced. Make-up just seems to make me look like an ill person wearing a mask.

My eyes look small and piggy and I have developed a weird puffy ridge and shadows under each eye. Eyes are also quite bloodshot.

I look like I have a permanent hangover/flu, basically.

What could be the cause? And what can I do about it?? Is it just 'getting older'? Feeling really down.

Bit of background:
I'm 37, non smoker, have cut down on alcohol and completely cut out caffeine in the last few months. I drink plenty of water, eat healthily etc. I get enough sleep. I am careful with my skin, wear an SPF everyday and have never been a sunbather etc. Up until very recently I would say I looked healthy and young for my age.

I had a proper health check last year - full blood count done and various other tests. Iron was slightly low and took supplements 6 months for six months, but have slacked off lately. Smear test last year was normal and periods still regular. I do feel tired quite a lot, but out this down to work/study/young children etc.

[MiddletonPink]

Are you under a huge amount of stress?

I age when I feel stressed. I'm not talking burning the dinner a few nights a week I mean big stress.

[TheFarSide]

Perimenopause? In my experience, hormonal changes can cause what feels like a sudden deterioration in looks.

[rabbitstew]

Why the full health check? Were you worried about your health? Any chance your symptoms could partly be imagined, or do friends and relatives agree that you have aged rapidly?!

[Nellymay]

Perhaps as yor body tries to cope with the toxins being expelled by cutting out caffeine and alcohol its putting strain on your liver. It's only my guesswork but I'm doing an anti candida diet and I take milk thistle to support my liver with the die off and stop myself felling like death warmed and hungover. Talk to a nutritionist or go to a good health shop where they'll advise you.

[HopeClearwater]

Nellymay this is rubbish! Once you've given up caffeine and alcohol the body doesn't expel more 'toxins'. OP's liver will actually have slightly less to do now, at least in terms of dealing with alcohol. Where do you get your medical knowledge? You need to find a medical textbook and educate yourself.

[HopeClearwater]

PS what is 'die off'?!

[seasalt]

It would be no harm to go to your GP and explain that you are feeling tired. Maybe they would re-check your iron levels.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I was wondering if all these symptoms are actually due to a problem with your thyroid gland.

[ItsGotBellsOn]

Thanks for all replies.

I had the smear and ultrasound last year because I had some bleeding between periods. I had ovarian cysts some years ago, but they have gone and the smear and ultrasound were normal. My periods have been regular and back to normal again.

Had the health check just because my husband was having one (he is older) and it all seemed fine. My liver function is tested annually now, too, as I had cholestasis when pregnant with my last child. It was fine last year.

I did wonder about perimenopause, but not sure how I would find that out? Which tests would show that? Periods normal and my mum and grandmothers didn't go through menopause until 50.

My mum and husband agree that I look tired and pale. I WAS under a lot of stress over the spring and summer of this year, so I guess it could be that.

I had my thyroid checked last year and it was normal, but its looking like I should go back to the GP, I guess.

Thanks for your replies. Sorry to waffle on! I look worse than ever this morning and suddenly thought 'could I be pregnant?'. Period not due for a week... And have been feeling rough for longer than a few weeks, so I guess its not that. Hmmm.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I would have a blood test done again with regards to your thyroid gland; any test result over 6 months old should now be discounted.

www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/ is a good website about the thyroid gland.

[slightlyworriednc]

I'm no medical expert but I'd see if getting back on the caffeine helps!

[ItsGotBellsOn]

haha!@slightlyworried.

I have been driving myself mad wondering what its all about, and wondering if decaff coffee could be somehow poisoning me? I know that sounds absolutely preposterous ...but I am turning into a bit of a hypochondriac over this.

Honestly, I have never lived a healthier life than I do now. I gave up smoking 10 months ago, too. I thought I'd be looking five years younger at this point!

Thanks, Atilla. Am going to look at that site now x

[ItsGotBellsOn]

Just looked back at my thyroid results

It says tsh 0.99 and t4 13.6

What does that mean?

[TheSpottedZebra]

No idea about thyroid but am sure someone else will chip in.

Re diet you said you'd cut out caffeine, cut down booze etc.youve not been on a massive diet or anything have you? Are you still eating a balanced diet, wih fruits, veggies, Carbs, proteins and fats? I think that drastic diets can be very ageing.

What about sleep, is there anything that is stopping you getting rest? Do you or partner snore, is a c getting up in the night and disturbing you...?

[TheSpottedZebra]

A DC. Not a c

[ItsGotBellsOn]

No, not on a diet at all and am a healthy weight for my height. Weight hasn't changed drastically or anything.

Sleep thing is interesting. I am always tired. Always! I do sleep a good 8 hours most nights. Get the odd bout of insomnia, but it usually passes after a night or two. DH does snore, but it doesnt bother me usually.

[Nellymay]

Hopeclear you. Didn't read all of my message otherwise you would have seen that I said "this is only guesswork". I'm only offering suggestions to the op in an attempt to help her find a solution.

I have done a fair bit of research on the subject of candida (not that I'm suggesting that op has this) and related die off that happens as you exclude certain food groups from your diet in an attempt to kill off candida. Look up Herxheimers reaction if you want to understand it more.

itsgotbells if you think it could be the perimenopause, my doctor took blood samples to measure hormone levels and suggested I keep a diary of symptoms for several months

[HopeClearwater]

Nellymay Thanks. I looked up Herxheimers reaction. It's got nothing to do with caffeine, fags or indeed candida. It's a very specific reaction related to the treatment of bacterial infections by antibiotics. Don't extrapolate to fit the circumstances.

[vitaminC]

Your thyroid results look normal.

Have you had your vitamin D levels tested? Especially if you don't get much sun exposure and wear and SPF daily!

It could of course be hormonal, but I'd start by asking for a blood test for vitamin D, B12 and ferritin levels...

[Nellymay]

hopeclear you didn't do enough research, otherwise you would find that herxheimers reaction IS related to Candida so don't assume I'm extrapolating, as you say. But im not on this thread or this site to argue for or to defend myself I'm here like most people to give and to receive help,support, advice, have a laugh, learn something etc