tired all the time - no apparent reason

[time4tea]

Hello

I have a thyroid condition, so I put it down to this, and the fact that DS2 (3) still often wakes me at night for comfort. His sleeping has got a lot better, but I'm still knackered, sometimes can't concentrate.

Surgery just phoned to say that my blood tests (for thyroid, iron levels/anaemia, diabetes, everything) were normal.

any suggestions?

my other symptom is that despite being fairly active (pushing buggies etc) and eating sensibly I'm not losing much weight - am 13 stone, should be 11 at most (am 5'5'') I have been taking some exercise, swimming once a week, not making much difference.

Even when tests come back 'normal' there is a big spectrum. And what's normal for someone else could be abnormal for you. Iron levels often come back 'normal'... but if you're just a little low on iron and not in the anaemic category you can feel very fatigued. Even mild nutritional deficiencies can have a big effect. Being overweight can make you feel more tired. Broken nights will do it as well. Dehydration is another reason.

If you take medication for the thyroid condition it could be that it needs adjusting a little. In the meantime, maybe tackle the weight-problem a little more accurately by keeping track of your calorie intake. It's very easy to 'eat sensibly' take regular exercise but be overeating without realising it. It's also possible (although less commen) to undereat.... and that's another reason for lack of energy

Someone your size and assuming late 20's or early 30's, not BF and reasonably active should be able to start losing weight on about 1400-1600 cals a day. If you keep a food diary & count the calories you can see how you measure up. Add in 2 litres of water and a multivitamin with iron to cover all the bases. And then if you're still not losing weight, go back to the doctor with your food diary and ask to have your medication looked at again.

I've got a thyroid problem too. While feeling completely knackered on 50mcg of thryoxine a day I started reading about it. A book I bought from the US said that a normal dose is about 1mcg for every lb of body weight.

So, if normal weight is 10stone, then a normal dose would be about 140-150mcg of thyroxine.

My gp agreed to let me increase the dose as long as my bloods didn't go too haywire.

Also, it might be worth seeing a nutritionist. I was still gaining weight and was told it was because I wasn't eating enough and was therefore malnourished.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Sorry to be boring but wheat (even the best organic wholestuff) makes my DH very tired and stops him losing weight(makes him fatter).Not many people are aware of this.

thanks so much for all these ideas. I will go back to the GP.

TB - how did you find a nutritionist? were you referred by your gp?