Why am I so breathless?

[ShouldersBackChestOutChinUp]

It's been noticeable for six months that I have been breathing heavier.

And in the last week, I've found it harder to catch my breath.

I run three times per week for 30 minutes each time.

I walk my dogs every day for an hour.

I am active and reasonably fit. But I am perplexed. What could it be?

I'm making an appointment at the doctor but I'm really worried.

I'm 49. Used to smoke heavily but stopped 17 years ago. Could I have developed COPD or even lung cancer?

I have to work hard to catch my breath even after climbing 8 stairs or walking up a short hill with the dogs.

I know this might sound trite... but have you had your iron or vitamin D levels tested?

It could be a vitamin deficiency...

Your doing the right thing by getting checked out, I hope your appointment goes well, I'd think they'd send you for a chest X-ray just to see. Good luck 💐

Shortness of breath is a common peri-menopause symptom, op. It's caused by a decline on oestrogen.

*of

I had shortness of breath a couple of years ago, and it was due to an iron deficiency.

Long covid?

I have exactly the same thing.

My dr thinks it’s a combination of anxiety and a vitamin deficiency but obviously aren’t able to test that atm because they can’t take bloods.

Anaemia is the common culprit. That's be my first thought before jumping to lung cancer, but it's for your doctor to determine. You might have to wait to be able to have blood tests though.

I've not had Covid.

I think you are definitely doing the right thing getting checked out, it's better to rule these things out early on.

Underactive thyroid can also cause this, it's worth getting your bloods checked as you could just be deficient in something.

I had this when my iron was low.

It's usually iron with me. I wouldn't jump to cancer or anything.

I had late onset asthma again something that women of this age. My symptoms were exactly like yours and it's very easy to manage.

@MoonbeamSprinkles

I have exactly the same thing.

My dr thinks it’s a combination of anxiety and a vitamin deficiency but obviously aren’t able to test that atm because they can’t take bloods.

is there a reason they can't take bloods?

When’s your appt? I’d go sooner rather than later. The bit that worries me is you’ve been more breathless this past week so it’s worsening relatively quickly.

I had these symptoms, could not walk and talk at same time on school run. Breathing heavily after a small flight of stairs.

Anemia was the culprit for me, was very severe and had to be treated with blood transfusions.

@Shelddd only the most urgent blood tests are being done at the moment due to a shortage of equipment. Have your surgery not been in touch about it? We all had the following message from our surgery;

An NHS supplier has advised of a global shortage of some equipment used for taking blood tests. Anyone who needs an urgent test for health problems will still get one, but where your clinician recommends it's safe to do so, then you may be asked to come back at a later date. We cannot give an exact date for when the test will be rescheduled, but if your condition or symptoms require it then you will get a test. We will be re-booking your test when supplies become more easily available. If your condition or symptoms change or get worse, please contact the NHS as you would normally

Classic low iron symptoms.

Definitely get checked. DH had similar and turned out to be heart problems. Obviously might not be this for you at all, but it's worth taking seriously to rule things out.

B12 deficiency can cause this too

Have you checked your levels with an oximeter?

It was b12 and low folate for me. Hope you find the cause soon.

Please See your gp. Shortness of breath needs looking into. It could be something minor but could also be a sign your heart is struggling.