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Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

General health

What causes extreme thirst & tiredness (apart from diabetes)?

57 replies

thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:01

Am just wondering if anyone knows whether anaemia can cause extreme thirst? I was tested for diabetes around 3 months ago and didn't have it, but I know I'm anaemic and am having further tests to find the cause. But in the mean time I'm so tired I can barely function, often quite dizzy and incredibly thirsty/hungry all the time.

It takes up to 3 weeks to get a GP appointment here but am wondering if there's anything I can do in the mean time? Any advice/insight very gratefully received!

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 11:03

Your not Pregnant? Sounds like the first trimester I have just come out of!

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:06

Oh no, never even considered that! Have just had AF & am on pill with no slip-ups so surely it's not possible?

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sallysparrow157 · 04/10/2011 11:08

How do you sleep? Do you snore? If you have something that causes a bit of an upper airway obstruction when you sleep such as big tonsils, your sleep will be of poor quality (although you won't be aware of it) and you will sleep with your mouth open so your mouth will be dry leading to tiredness and thirst particularly in the morning. If you do snore it is worth mentioning this when you see the GP

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:10

According to DH I only snore with a heavy cold!

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Elibean · 04/10/2011 11:11

You should be able to see a GP faster than that, surely? Is there a walk-in surgery at your local clinic?

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ReelAroundTheFountain · 04/10/2011 11:12

I'm pg and anaemic and have found myself unbelievably breathless. That makes me want to drink a lot of water - could it be that? The dizziness and tiredness could def be anaemia-related.

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ReelAroundTheFountain · 04/10/2011 11:14

Also, btw, don't just take the iron tablets you can find in the vitamin section - they contain almost no iron at all. I got ferrous sulphate from the pharmacist and also take spatone.

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 11:14

I would take a test to be sure you most definitely wouldn't be the first to have caught whilst on the pill! Have you had any antibiotics recently?

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paddypoopants · 04/10/2011 11:16

Very thirsty, extremely tired, anaemic and dizzy - sounds like me when I was pregnant.

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:17

Elibean I could be seen if I tell the receptionist it's "urgent", which I'm always loathe to do.....it's a bit of a catch 22 here because if you go into the walk-in place they phone your GP and get you seen immediately but then the GP usually tells you off for using the walk-in centre to jump the queue! So I will only use the walk-in at weekends to avoid this.

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:19

ok purple, reel and paddy will try to summon up the energy to go get a test, but I'm 100% certain I'm not pregnant - I usually get horrendous morning sickness from week 5 through to week 18 and haven't had any nausea really.

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 11:28

At least you will have covered that base :) Has this turned into a POAS thread? lol

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:30

Well I'm pretty sure I know what the answer is so will be a short and uneventful one!

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 11:32

Maybe it is your pill causing some of the symptoms? I know it can make you tired, have you had your thyroid checked?

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:33

Thyroid was checked about a year ago. Have been taking this pill for around 10 yrs without probs so I'd be surprised if it was that, but it's definitely worth thinking about, thank you!

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Elibean · 04/10/2011 11:43

Hmmm. Well, I would tell off a GP who told me off for not waiting 3 weeks to see someone with extreme thirst and tiredness, I think! Its a long time, if it does turn out to be diabetes or some such. (I know you were tested, but still)

I would pee on that stick, then talk to GP's receptionist and say it doesn't feel responsible to wait 3 weeks - can I please see the doctor earlier than that, or should I go to the walk in surgery? And take it from there

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:51

Thanks elibean, I know you are right! Will POAS at lunchtime and take it from there

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 13:08

Blimey, I don't know whether to hope you are pg just so you know what is happening or not!
As for the pill I took one happily for two years then suddenly had loads of side effects so it can happen. I don't really get on with the pill though and couldn't find another I agreed with after trying different ones for over a year. so whether that makes a difference I don't know?

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 13:11

Well I POAS and it was a BFN!

So am back to all the other theories. Tried to get some diabetes testing sticks at chemist (the urine ones) but they were out of stock. Typical.

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 13:32

I think you definitely need to get a drs appointment. At least pg is something you can cross of your list. Are you taking iron tablets for anaemia? That might have an effect on appetite thirst?

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 13:36

No, can't take iron tablets until they have determined the cause of the anaemia. Have been referred to a consultant so I guess I'm loathe to go back to GP for the same problem if you see what I mean. The tests will take several weeks (or even months) to complete though, as all the systems seem very slow, and in the meantime I'm finding it hard to function!

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Purplebuns · 04/10/2011 13:42

That is crap, anaemia is serious! I would go to the Drs as they obviously need to do something as you aren't ok and months is just too long to feel like crap!

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thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 13:46

Yeah I will try to get an appointment asap, thanks for all your input :)

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Iamseeingstars · 04/10/2011 19:20

How did they diagnose your anaemia? was it through a basic blood test?

What other symptons do you have, make a daily diary and also record what you are eating and drinking, how much and when

I am shocked that you are expected to wait 3 weeks for an appointment. I would look at changing practices. This is rediculous.

Try drinking water with electrolytes - sugar and salt, sports drinks etc., this will help if you are dehydrated at all. Plain water on its own wont help

Everyone assumes if you are anaemic you are low on iron, but sometimes this isnt true. I am extremely anaemic but have iron overload. Taking tablets would the the worst thing I could do.

I would get an emergency appointment, explaining that you keep going dizzy, and ask him to what do in the meantime, which should include more extensive blood tests. What if you were driving and had a dizzy spell. Dont wait.

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Notchattingnow · 04/10/2011 21:35

Do you know what the blood haemoglobin level was and were you iron deficient or not?
Are you losing excessive blood from periods or blood from anywhere else?
Do you have any rashes ?
Do you have any background illnesses and are you on any meds?

If it is iron deficient anaemia it is likely due to loss from periods,but could be dietary or loss from the bowel such as stomach ulcers or inflammation.
If its not an iron deficient picture it could be various other things..
Do you have any other symptoms?