To feel like giving up, after GP phone conversation (TW possibly -mention of ED)

[LoveMyPiano]

Like many others. I'm sure, I have avoided the GP for the last couple of years (and quite some time before). I am on record as a hypochondriac, so that helps me to avoid contact.
I was quite some time ago, "diagnosed" with asthma - although have always thought that the shortness of breath was causd by something else.
In the course of an asthma review, the lovely asthma nurse arranged some blood tests. I didn't even look at the results, although they are accessible online. Got a call to speak to a GP - which in itself took a week before she would getting in touch.
That''s fine by me - because even though they think there is something to discuss, I know that I will have my worries pretty much disregarded.

I did look at the blood tests then, so I could see what the issues might be. Reading them I think I am pretty much a heart attack waiting to happen - not that I want to be.

With iron levels falling off the bottom of the range - and some of the associated blood levels low as well, also low Vitamin B12
and Vitamin D and high (should be

Sorry OP, I'm a bit confused - are you eating very little and that's why your levels are all over the show? Or is it concern that your asthma is something else?

Sorry if you don't want to discuss further, I totally get it - just trying to see what the situation is.

If that is the case, have you got specialist support for the ED? They'd have a better idea what blood results were concerning in that specific context, I'd think, so maybe it would be good to push for a referral to a service that deals specifically in that area. I'm fairly sure you can self-refer, too, if the GP doesn't seem to be quite getting it.

Although I don't know whether your numbers specifically are bad or good, there's also a fair bit of sway in 'perfect' blood work. Some people fall naturally to an outlying end of a particular data point (e.g. a friend of mine who does triathlons has always got elevated inflammation levels, his doctor thinks it's all the heavy exercise and isn't worried) so it may be that while the numbers don't look perfect on paper, they genuinely aren't concerned about them.

But broadly speaking: if you're not sure your specific concerns are being listened to, please ask to see a different GP at your practice. Doctors certainly get it wrong sometimes and GPs are fighting an uphill battle with telemedicine and increasing pressure on their service which means that if there's something you think they should be picking up on and they're not, you should absolutely keep pushing til they listen.

OP, your post is not very clear. Why are you only eating 2 meals a week exactly?

First, I’m not a medic but I have had to learn a lot about my own medical conditions.
As I understand your post : your HbA1c is high, meaning a risk of diabetes. You are restricting yourself to 2 meals to try to reduce this? I think you’d need to look at what you eat in a day and a diabetes nurse at the practice could advise you as it’s in everyone’s interests ( yours especially) not to become diabetic.
Next your low B12. This can cause breathlessness, shortness of breath, often described as air hunger. You need a good level of folic acid to help use the B12 ( they depend on each other) One cause of B12 is pernicious anaemia ( specific blood test needed to diagnose that) but it’s possible to just not have a good level of B12. You can improve B12 levels by injection, sublingual lozenges, tablets or sprays. It is important to take folic acid as well.
The high indicator for inflammation is usually ignored in my experience. I’ve been told I probably had a cold, a mild virus, an infection somewhere my body was fighting…. Always very vague about it.

It might help you to look at a site called Health Unlocked, I’ve found there is always good advice there.
And don’t worry about going back to the doctor as it’s to everyone’s benefit for you to be as healthy as possible and they should provide the advice to help that.

2 meals a week?? Is that right?

No wonder you feel like shit if so! Do you take any vitamin supplements?

@Youdoyoutoday

2 meals a week?? Is that right?

No wonder you feel like shit if so! Do you take any vitamin supplements?

Yes it is right. (Only not, of course.....)

Eating makes me feel awful too though.

Snacks here and there, a bit of fruit, a prepackaged salad occasionally. One latte a day - that seems to prevent hunger in the usual sense.
Even regret those sometimes.

Recently tried to be diligent with Vitamin C, and found that some of the stomach pains have abated. But generally vitamins etc need to be synthesised with food, as I understand it.

Hang on. What has two meals got to do with your asthma review? I’m lost.

You've only chosen to answer one post OP
If this is real and you want real help you need to explain a bit more

Leaky gut plus non alcoholic fatty liver disease ?

Why aren’t you eating properly, OP? Is it an ED? Stomach pain? Lack of money? Depression?

A bit more info would help. Why did the asthma nurse arrange the blood tests? What made them think you needed tests?

OP, do you have a diagnosed ED, and is that in your medical records? Did you tell the GP you're starving yourself? Have you had specialist support for your ED?

So sorry - thank you for answers and questions (my day went from bad to worse affter the initial post).

The asthma nurse arranged the blood tests because I was just mentioning (in fact, he asked) that that I am out of breath/tired in a way that is different from asthma. I touched on the subject of eating so little and he said the blood tests could help look for deficiencies - including those that signify anemia (FBC, Iron etc.)

I saw a charitable organisation in the year before CoVid, and it helped while it was happening. Limited sssion (18 I think), and I fell "off the wagon" almost immediately afterwards. It was possible to self-re-refer, but then verything stoppped because of the pandemic.

I THINK it is on my records, but I do think that most people hear "two meals a DAY"..... The GPsaid SHE would re-refer, but I dont think the charity is seeing people again, yet However, the GP did not seem to connect the blood test results and ED issue.

I dont know about leaky gut. I have gradually cut out food groups (starting with coming vegetarian - for ethical and moral reasons) and have been highly susceptible to all of the rules upon rules over recent years that it has become "easier" to be low-sugar - low-carb - low fat - basically just Lo-Food. There are also some practical and emotional issues deep down, I suppose.

It cannot, or should not be alcoholic faitty liver disease, as I have been pretty much tee-total for years, and was never much of a drinker.

By cutting out just about everything, I do react beadly when I DO eat (which makes sense almost), and certainly the food seems to bypass my stomach..... so I am sure that I am not even processing properly what I DO eat. I don't at all day and them either one of the meals, or just snack-type food, at 8-9pm. Food has really become the enemy for me now.

I find it so hard to believe that an iron level of 6, when the range is 9-30 (can't remember the units), and some of the associated tests beling low, does not mean anemia - especially when combined with other symptoms (which she also brushed off).

This IS real, I hate and am embarrassed to say..... I appreciate the responses very much, and am grateful for the nterest and help.

What you said about people hearing "2 meals a week" as "2 meals a day" makes perfect sense in context. Yes your GP should have been more alert to this but it sounds like you have a complex medical history and I something I've learned over the years is that you have to be specific with medical professionals - you can't expect them to pick up on hints. They don't know you past your appointments with them and whatever is on your records.

I would really recommend contacting the surgery again and being very open and honest that your ED has resurfaced and that you need urgent help with it.

I know being honest is really difficult when you have a MH issue of any sort - we can still subconsciously carry a lot of shame about these things. But it's the only way to get the help you need and deserve.

Would it help to frame it in your mind as, if you get help with the ED now, it will actually SAVE resources down the line when the NHS would be treating you for chronic physical problems that result?

Good luck op, please advocate for yourself, you deserve help 🌸