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Original poster

What causes extreme thirst & tiredness (apart from diabetes)?

57 replies

thirtysomething · 04/10/2011 11:01

Am just wondering if anyone knows whether anaemia can cause extreme thirst? I was tested for diabetes around 3 months ago and didn't have it, but I know I'm anaemic and am having further tests to find the cause. But in the mean time I'm so tired I can barely function, often quite dizzy and incredibly thirsty/hungry all the time.

It takes up to 3 weeks to get a GP appointment here but am wondering if there's anything I can do in the mean time? Any advice/insight very gratefully received!

OP posts:

notlettingthefearshow · 04/10/2011 21:45

Given that you have ruled a few things out, I don't think you have much choice but to get along to your GP asap and explain your symptoms, even if you have to wait for an appointment. It's not up to you to self diagnose - it won't help them; they will draw their own conclusions based on test results. I wouldn't do anything in the meantime except take care of yourself and rest as much as possible.

Sorry to not have more practical ideas. It might be worth trying NHS direct though?

Iamseeingstars · 04/10/2011 22:13

I also agree about not self diagnosing. When I did I was completely wrong because my symptons were so similar to many many different conditions.

Notchattingnow · 04/10/2011 22:38

What specialty have you been referred to ?

butterflyexperience · 05/10/2011 15:51

This is how I've been feeling since last week!
Have Gp appointment in the morning though

Hope you get seen sooner

bacon · 05/10/2011 23:26

Sounds like sinus problems. I have a thirst and get a very dry throat which after many many years is caused by catarrh. Seeing that your snoring, no wonder you feel so dyhydrated. Dont under estimate catarrh it makes me feel so ill on some days.

GP's on this are hopeless and NHS direct only useful in an emergency and after tests always told me I was perfect heathy and should drink more, loose weight and take allergy pills!

I find my throat dries up on excercise too. As for tirediness you could seek opinions on sleep problems. Could also review your diet/lifestyle/exercise regime?

I wake up in the morning feeling like I went on a bender, until I stand up, have a hot drink, shower and take some sinus sprays I just cant function.

Original poster

thirtysomething · 06/10/2011 09:18

Thanks v. much all of you for your responses.

I've had hemoglobin and ferritin levels tested - both v. low.
The doctor also said my red blood cells were a lot smaller and fewer than normal but I don't know if that is just a feature of the anaemia?

I don't get catarrh at all really and my sinuses feel fine. I just get a headache with the dizziness.

I am seeing a gastroenterologist who I think is testing for coeliac disease or bleeds/malapsorption problems.

I have virtually no periods as am on the pill.

butterfly hope you get on ok at the GP and get some answers!

OP posts:

Iamseeingstars · 06/10/2011 10:11

Is a haematologist also reviewing your results to check the results in more detail?

Iamseeingstars · 06/10/2011 10:12

How low is low?
Do you mind saying?

Original poster

thirtysomething · 06/10/2011 10:21

I think ferritin was around 4 and hemoglobin varies from 7-10 depending on the day of the test (I've had a test per month for around 4 months).

I also have an abnormal level of anti-nuclear antibodies which the GP said meant some kind of inflammatory process.....

No mention of a haemotologist. I may press for a referral if the gastroenterologist comes up with nothing.

OP posts:

FlankerMum · 06/10/2011 10:47

Ask for a kidney function test. Excessive thirst and tiredness can mean kidney problems. Are you feeling de-hydrated despite drinking lots of water?

Original poster

thirtysomething · 06/10/2011 10:53

Yes flanker, definitely.

They did do kidney function tests in June though and I had an abdominal ultrasound that looked at the kidneys and they were fine.

OP posts:

Iamseeingstars · 06/10/2011 20:36

If your HB levels are so low, why are they not giving you transfusions. No wonder you feel so tired.

Normal levels are 12-15.

It does sound like they are investigating various causes which is good and will continue to do so, but I would be concerned if the HB levels remain so low.

I get transfusions as soon as HB goes below 10 (but it hovers from 7-10)

Notchattingnow · 06/10/2011 21:11

If the red cells are small and pale that would fit with low ferritin and iron deficiency picture likely but could be anaemia of chronic disease.
Have you been losing any blood which is the commonest cause of iron def anaemia?
Agree that unless you have definite picture of B12 or folate deficiency which they must have tested for then should transfuse for haemoglobin less than 8.
Ferritin is the iron stores so 4 is low.

Notchattingnow · 06/10/2011 21:13

to answer your question... small red cells is due to lack of iron in their structure, fewer red cells is just a feature of anaemia.

LackaDAISYcal · 06/10/2011 21:32

Positive ANA plus thirst and tiredness could be down to sjogrens syndrome or another connectivity tissue disease which has sjogrens as a secondary symptom. Low haemoglobin can also be a problem.
Have you had any problems with dry or gritty eyes? Have they done any. further antibody testing?

Original poster

thirtysomething · 06/10/2011 21:50

wow lackadaisy never heard of that! No, the GP just said she didn't know what the ANA level meant and would find out - never came back to me & must admit forgot to ask last time I saw her.

They have never offered a transfusion but I have had iron infusions in the past.

I also have chronic pins and needles in hands/feet/tongue which they have told me is carpal tunnel in hands & couldn't find an explanation for feet and tongue!

OP posts:

Notchattingnow · 06/10/2011 22:23

ANA usually for SLE

Original poster

thirtysomething · 07/10/2011 09:05

Is that lupus? I don't think I have that as no swelling or rashes, though I do get weary muscles!

Would the doctor have tested for that with the ANA?

OP posts:

LackaDAISYcal · 09/10/2011 10:55

Not everyone with lupus or other auto immune disorder has all of the symptoms. I would push for more testing following the positive ANA and referral to a Rheumatologist. Sounds like it could be a connective tissue disorder, like lupus, fibro or RA.

Original poster

thirtysomething · 09/10/2011 11:56

Thanks lackadaisy - I'm rubbish at pushing for referrals, especially since everything now goes through a committee at our practice, so all the GPs have to be in agreement - seems like a mountain to climb just to get someone to look at my blood more closely :(

The GP didn't really know what the raised ANA might mean in my case, but it did go up quite a lot between 2 blood tests a month apart so I wonder if that means anything....

OP posts:

Iamseeingstars · 09/10/2011 21:32

It is really hard to suggest something different to what the doctors are considering.

My only suggestion is, to have a complete list of all your symptons, does anything trigger any reaction etc is it worse at any time, etc.
.
Maybe suggest (but doesnt often go down well when internet is mentioned) that you have been checking out xxx and would like this to be investigated. Sometimes a prompt for something different might help (not sure)

Go in with a written list of all your questions and make sure you ask them.

One thing I would say is that the hospital is involved because you have already had a number of tests, and they usually do a good job with diagnosis because they have the knowledge.

What would be really useful is to be able to say to someone, that my bloods show xyz, these are normal, these are not, what does it indicate! Doctors will ever go into detail.

(I asked on another post if there were any blood specialists because I wanted to ask this but got shot down in flames, yet here we have another question where everyone is offering their diagnosises.)

Iamseeingstars · 09/10/2011 21:39

Thirtysomething

If your doctor doesnt know what the raised ANA meant, is he going to find out, or just ignore it?

BOOareHaunting · 09/10/2011 21:45

Mine is caused by chronic aneamia (20 years now!). My heamoglobin is also between 7-10 most of the time, and have small red blood cells.

Have you given a stool sample? Mine contained blood and I have stomach problems and it has been linked as 1 condition. It's just something I have, no name or condition but I drink a riculous amount and have periods of extreme irreversable tiredness.

I'm not so bad now TBH but the GP thinks after 20 years me and my body have just adjusted to it.

Iamseeingstars · 09/10/2011 21:47

BOO, Is stomach ache and feeling sick a normal sympton of aneamia?

Suffering with both but doctors just keep giving me anti sickness tablets

(sorry to intrude on post)

Original poster

thirtysomething · 09/10/2011 22:10

thanks iamseeing and Boo - i also get nauseous quite a lot but never made the connection with anaemia.

Various possibilities have been suggested by the gastro - celiac disease, inflammatory bowel etc but so far nothing conclusive.

No, the GP seems to have dropped the raised ANA as she's pointed me towards the gastroenterologist instead. I suspect at the end of all of this they will just give me some transfusions and decide it's just one of those things I have to live with

OP posts:

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