What to do about this OVERWHELMING tiredness?!

[GreenTeaMom]

About 3-4 weeks ago I had some blood tests done, that came back low for iron, b12 and vitamin d. I had loading dose injections for b12, prescribed once weekly high strength vitamin d tablets and iron liquid (the tablets are too harsh on my stomach).

I still feel absolutely knackered though - and not just oh I feel a bit run down - I can’t actually keep my eyes open during the day and I’m just in and out of sleep the entire time. I can’t actually function with how tired and run down I feel.

I have been prescribed all the usual medication and supplements, what else can I do?!

I really can’t go on much longer than this!

Vit d takes a few months to balance out. Keep taking it x

friend of mine had the same symptoms that you have been having and just been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and pre diabetes

Are you overnight?
I ask because it could be relevant.
You are describing "sleepiness" which can be different to tiredness, lack of energy or lethargy. If you are, it is worth considering Obstructive Skeep Apnoea. ( diagnosed with a sleep study).
Typically a sufferer will be entirely oblivious to waking, sometimes multiple times a night, when shutting off their airway causes a sudden, compensatory intake of breath, causing disrupted sleep and leading to daytime somnolence.
Just a thought, might be worth mentioning to your GP.
Good luck

In terms of COVID - I don’t think I’ve ever had it, never had a positive test etc.

I’m a normal - if not maybe slightly underweight for my height etc, so I don’t think it would be sleep apnea? Or it might be if there’s another cause?

Ive had my thyroid and blood sugars tested - because I was having attacks of really low blood sugar at one stage but that’s all come back normal. I was actually tested for coeliacs too just to rule it out etc.

Ill look into magnesium, thanks for the suggestion!

I felt like this after I had glandular fever - could not lift my head and was off school for 4 months.

I suppose it could happen after any viral illness though.

Did you come down with anything before this all started?

@legophoenix nothing specific but just a general sense of feeling under the weather for a few weeks - sore throat, headaches etc

Maybe you need an iron transfusion. I absolutely feel for you though, I had incredibly low iron last Christmas and was so run down I just broke down at work. I was so embarrassed but I couldn't cope with life. I've since had iron tablets and although my iron levels are better I still need to nap. Hope you feel better soon.

These deficiencies and tiredness sound very much like coeliac disease. It's worth revisiting that with your GP.

www.coeliac.org.uk/information-and-support/coeliac-disease/getting-diagnosed/blood-tests-and-biospy/if-your-tests-are-negative

Cut out meat and dairy from your diet and go wholefood fresh and raw basically (as in there’s more to it but the informations all out there)

just what I did

turned my entire life around

Are you me?! im the same at 47.

already on B12 injections.
on and off iron tabs for years (since i was 14, but more importantly off than on in the last 25 years).

thought peri, HRT patch gave me the rage so off them and my temper is back to just a gentle simmer.

keep getting pins and needles even though B12 should clear that but still happens.

FBC, thyroid and iron taken today. Nurse said “ill put indicators on them. Anyone knows what it means?

No cholesterol as I’m not 50,no diabetes in family but will check after blood results.

wait and see for me, but you need to go back.

I’m not sure cutting out meat and dairy is a good idea if OP is b12 iron and cut d deficient?

*vit d

Have you been tested for haemochromosis?

I was treated for b12 for ages before being diagnosed with it. You can often have both and often haemochromosis is missed. It doesn't show on a standard blood test.

Unlikely if OP is iron deficient

Because we have a long intestine (herbivorous) digestive system

we absorb plant based iron better

decomposing matter stops our long intestine doing its job - absorbing vitamins and nutrients

this is what I mean by turning my life around

I had the same issue until mid twenties when I began researching this
maw a pregnant vegan no low iron

before had low iron and b12

now not
seven years vegan
age 40
keep getting more energy not less

use or lose

good luck

A friend of mine had been chronically tired for years, finally saw a sleep specialist and had a sleep study, diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. She thought she slept great, but her actual sleep quality was terrible She has a CPAP machine now, sleeps great and no longer tired.

she’s young, fit, thin and a woman so absolutely does not fit the profile for sleep apnea, apparently it gets missed in a lot of women because they don’t fit the assumed profile. I’m assuming the NHS wouldn’t do a sleep study in any kind of reason time frame but if you can afford to go private it’s be worth investigating that route.

Please go back to GP and ask to be tested for coeliac disease.

What strength are the iron tablets? I had anemia during pregnancy and I felt horrendous, I could barely turn over in bed, I was so breathless and lethargic. Strangely when she was born I was a lot more anemic as I lost a lot of blood during delivery but I felt fine!

When I was put on iron initially I was only given 205mg a day and it didn't make any difference. When they doubled the dose I started to feel better but you do need quite a high dose if you're anemic. I also took two spatone daily. Ferrous fumarate is easier on the stomach than ferrous sulphate so make sure you get that.

Ask for some of this and take it with a glass of orange juice. ayp.healthcare/sytron-syrup-sodium-feredetate-500ml?gclid=CjwKCAjw3K2XBhAzEiwAmmgrAuJlZSeVsTpRT350zklK7PX1B1upw8a6oZw69vs1xpYnfgf8PTKDjRoCglcQAvD_BwE

The iron tablets used to make me puke but the liquid was amazing!

It takes ages for iron levels to go up. I was told 3 months. That’s the time it takes to make new red blood cells.

Change your diet.

You are low on vitamins and minerals because you are malnourished. Supplements are not as good as getting the nutrients you require from food.

For iron start eating steaks 3 times a week.

Up your intake of dairy and eggs.

Eat a rainbow of food, 5 a day, leafy green veg every day and berries every day.

Give it 3 months and you will feel monumentally better.

Following with interest. Also total exhaustion for weeks now. Bloods just say low folate levels.

Have you been tested for coeliac disease.

I had zero gut symptoms but routine bloods threw up B12, iron and Vit D deficiencies.

This is me too and it’s the second time it’s happened. I asked my GP why this keeps happening - my diet is good - and she just shrugged her shoulders and said she sees a lot of people with folate deficiency. (A metaphorical shrug as communication was by email). No interest in any further investigation.

You have no idea what you're talking about!