Guess my conditions... cause the GP has no clue.

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I've just gone into a GP appt fully prepared with my 6 months worth of symptoms.

Her take.. come off HRT and I'll put you on non hormonal antidepressants instead, cut out fibre from your diet and follow a FOMAP plan?

She has ordered in some bloods but any guesses? She's told me I'm not diabetic as my bloods said I wasn't.

Below for the long list...

Thought some were peri menopause related?

Thirst (increases)
Waking at night
Hungry
Sweating smelling like vinegar
Weight gain over 12kg in 8 months
Gastric pain and bloating weekly
Top area of stomach goes really hard
Tired sleeping for 14+ hours
Tired in the afternoons
Blurry eyes for a whole day (eye test) glasses
Gum work having to be done at dentist
Intolerance to any alcoholic drinks
Headaches low level fuzzy
Dizziness occasionally
Hair thinning
Nails brittle

I’m on HRT patch and non cyclic progesterone that stopped a zillion other symptoms, hot flushes, night sweats, awful biweekly heavy bleeding. So HRT has been good to me.

These are all low level until recently they seem to come and go and flare up., but are becoming more obvious

Main issue that’s bothering me is weight gain, I’m tracking 1200 calories a day and I’m still gaining weight, 5k+ steps exercise 3-4 times a week, I literally couldn’t be any better!

Could be underactive thyroid. Is the GP testing for that?

Did you hand her the list of symptoms?

This is typical of so many doctors. First: 'Oh, must be hormonal'. Second: 'Oh, must be depression'. Third? There is no third guess because they think they got it right already. Although on occasion they do come up with 'Oh, must be a hypochondriac'.
Possibly all three: a depressed, hormonal hypochondriac.

Have you had bloods checked for iron and any other deficiencies

Anemic? I gained weight when anemic and even on iron tablets. Had an iron transfusion and I’ve actually lost weight!

Low vitamin D would account for several of those, and it's extremely common.

Could be thyroid. Bear in mind that the NHS only prescribe thyroxine if your levels are very low, even if you're symptomatic at a higher level. Be prepared to argue with them or go private if you can afford it.

Other than that it could just be menopausal grottiness. You need surprisingly fewer calories when you get into your 40s and 50s compared to when young. 1200 isn't that much, but I'm mid 50s and will only lose weight on 800-1000 calories depending upon activity.

Get all your bloods done and see if it brings anything up.

She's ordered bloods for iron, vitamins and Throyid after I specifically asked for those.

She also asked if I had ovary pain which I don't but she ordered some ovarian marker tests?

I actually handed her the list and she said come off HRT that's causing the weight gain and go on non hormone antidepressants.

At no point did I say I was depressed, low mood or anything? In fact my brain is about the only functioning part of me.

I felt like a hypochondriac.

What would be the best medication?

I'm private for HRT and will have to use my medical cover for anything else.

Some GPs have a down on HRT. And wtf is cutting out fibre about, does she want you to be constipated on top of everything else?

If you are private for HRT, then I'd suggest you get them to check your thyroid. GPs normally only do one test and refuse point blank to do the rest if you are just within the 'normal' range, even if you have a sheaf of symptoms. And yes, I've had this answer every time I have a blood test. Thyroid normal (like about 0.1 inside normal).

This is great thank you!

So much more helpful than her dismissal, she started the consultation when I said I had a list she said you only have a 10 minute appointment.

Bloods are being taken this week so can't fault the speed on the NHS but I'll look carefully at the ranges.

I may have to lower my calories and see if that does make a difference, I'm down to 1200 from 1500 and no alcohol, eating clean non processed foods, lots of wholemeal, grains, proteins and veggies. And the odd packet of Cadbury's buttons.

I guess I could aim for 800 for a week+ and see if the weight shifts.

That was the one I almost laughed at, of all the advice in the world cutting out fibre seems very odd.

She was heading down the IBS route, and cutting out foods, but I've been there before and know some triggers like tomatoes, balsamic as and acidic foods. Also randomly can't eat sweet potatoes.

Have they done a morning cortisol test? Do you have any symptoms of Cushing's? Cushing's syndrome - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

I am hypothyroid, have also had IBS flare ups. Cutting out sugar and taking a probiotic, vit d, evening primrose oil all helped. Triggers are crap wheat products like sliced bread, biscuits, I can eat sourdough. Also cut out non organic dairy. And organic soy and seaweed seem to be good too (make me feel more well, not just less bad) and lots and lots of vegetables.

I would have suggested pregnancy if you hadn't been menopausal age!

Gluten intolerance?

They haven't suggested this and I don't have the main symptoms with a quick google.

My fat is all over my legs and arms are also gaining etc but on the tummy more.

No weakness, bruising, puffy face etc.

Haha I'd be dead meat my DH had the snip 15 years ago and I'm 49 🤣

But not pregnant, ironically I felt amazing when pregnant.

Saving this, these all sound simple tweaks as I don't eat processed bread and try and avoid biscuits. And love seaweed and soya but just don't have it often enough to monitor.

Five weird symptoms of iron deficiency include a swollen tongue, pica, restless legs syndrome, hair loss, and tinnitus. However, iron deficiency can cause a range of symptoms, such as fatigue, pale skin, and brittle nails. Treatment for iron may involve taking iron supplements, receiving IV iron, or taking ESAs.

I'm going with low iron and possibly low vitamin D. Would be interesting to see your results and what the lab ranges are. You need a minimum of 70 for healthy hair growth btw.

You could be me. As well as coeliac disease and ongoing iron issues I have a problem processing B6 and I am ragingly thirsty when my levels are high. This may sound odd but do you ever get the urge to exercise quite vigorously/aggressively? Like running on a treadmill or weightlifting. Not to be confused with actually going and doing it! Just the sense that if you did it may help.

@DrCoconut yes!!! Especially after driving and playing loud music.

I do weight training, but I'm a bit less energetic with it.. than I am in my head.

Coeliac test wouldn't go amiss, coeliac disease could account for some of those symptoms. You'll need to sure you've been eating gluten for a period of time beforehand though (2 weeks I think?)

I'll throw folate deficiency into the mix for fun. Not sure it explains the gastric symptoms though.

Google tells me that kidney problems could cause the vinegar-sweat (along with hormones, skin infection and stress)