To be at my wits end re: exhaustion, immune system.

[ColdAndSuch]

Posting for traffic.

Around 2 years ago, I went to my GP with concerns that something was ‘wrong’ (with me) The issues were:

constant illness

exhaustion which is debilitating - I can sleep
for 18 hours, get up, and then need a nap again.

Any cuts, lesions, whatever becoming badly infected and needing antibx

I had a blood screening for what seemed like everything and I was found to have very, very low iron and vitamin D. I was given Iron for the anaemia and supplements for the vitamin D.

But the problem persists. I am currently on my second cold since early January.
I’ve had Covid four times (I’ve had jabs and boosters).

I just feel like there is something seriously awry, particularly the “all cuts becoming infected” thing (I practice excellent hygiene).

Some other details:
I am 38, and peri (confirmed by bloods et Al but women in my family go through menopause very, very young so this in itself isn’t concerning)

Periods are rare now, when I do have them, they’re light.

I have anxiety and depression and I am medicated for these - the issues above predate this, and the peri.

Any experience or advice? Am I simply a sickly Victorian ghost child?

Have you had full STI screening? I have chronic fatigue, did your GP investigate that with you at all? Do you eat enough? Are you on HRT?

Have you had blood tests since?

Thyroid, Diabetes, B12 as well as your Iron & vitamin D?
How is your diet in general? Are you a smoker?
What is your lifestyle like - as in are you working with the general public? Lots of people who work in busy areas have had Covid 3/4 times and frequent colds at this time of year tbh and if you work with the general public then infections of any kind are a risk. so many people don’t wash their hands or cough without covering their mouths etc.

Had a full STI screening a while back for reasons I can’t remember, it was clear

Not in HRT - hormones and I don’t get on (I know I could push for further consideration into this tbh).

Def eat enough - little and often. Fairly healthy, I eat meat and dairy, not a veggie/vegan.

The GP made vague noises about Fibromyalgia but not CFS.

Not a smoker, and I work from home permanently - I don’t have to do the school run and I live rurally so my contact with people / crowds is fairly limited.

diet is good, plenty of protein, good fats, green veg, for example.

Sorry I’ve also had bloods since and iron and vitamin d is still low although increased since it was very low and I was prescribed the pills for it.

Thyroid disease sounds possible, it can be linked to frequent upper respiratory tract infections.
Has your vitamin D come up to a decent level ?
Coeliac disease is worth checking too.

Get your zinc levels checked or try supplements, you should feel an improvement in a couple of weeks if it’s low.

Vit D still a very not decent level but the explanation seems to be “it’s winter, we live in the UK, shrug”.

coeliac has been mentioned by friends a few times - I am collecting “please do bloods for x y z…” for an e consult and this is on the list!

good shout re thyroid disease, I didn’t even think of this!

Just to add, zinc isn’t routinely tested for in blood tests. I had to do mine privately, it helped with the constant viruses.

I second asking about coeliac disease. The damage to your gut causes malabsorption issues - very common to find anaemia etc that does not respond to supplements as no matter how much you take, the gut can't absorb it! Coeliac can also affect your immune system. Definitely ask for screening blood test.

I could have written your post. I felt dreadful. It was an under active thyroid.

Diabetes?

Also I have Hashimotos and feel like warmed up dog shit 90% of the time.

Check out the Iron Protocol Facebook group, you'll find many like minded souls and lots of advice on getting your iron levels up. But also get tested for coeliac disease.

what are your b12 levels? Do not take b12 tablets until tested as they give an optimistic reading. You may need injections

I had symptoms very similar. Horrific fatigue, light periods, also joint pain, peripheral neuropathy. Malabsorbtion. Found out in November last year I have coeliac disease. Since going extremely strict gluten free I feel LOADS better.

For vitamin d, make sure you're taking D3 plus vitamin K2 (to help with absorption). You can get them as a joint tablet from Amazon. You need a much higher dose than you'd expect. Low but d can cause cause all kinds of issues. Funnily enough, I just opened a bottle tonight for my family to start.