Tiredness-what do i ask GP to test? Just Hg?

[olivo]

I am going to go to my GP after months of feeling dreadful. I assume it is anaemia; extreme tiredness, nausea, hair loss.

Do I ask for my haemoglobin in to be tested or ferritin levels too, or are they the same thing?
And will they think I'm rude for asking for tests?

I think the GP will decide what to check for when you explain your symptoms. They know what they're doing.

I have been before and they just tell me that I have a busy life style and could I work part time instead of full and do more exercise.I d like to be armed with some suggestions this time.

Get them to test your B12 levels as well.

I felt pretty much the same for months...possibly even years and it turns out I have got Pernicious Anaemia.

Just googled that iheart, hadn't heard of TNT. Will add b12 to my list. Thanks.

TNT? It, sorry!

Actually, iheart, having just read more, you could be on to something. I see it is a meat and animal product thing, and I am a veggie.

My DH had B12 deficiency, he is a veggie too. But you also need your thyroid function tested, as that could also be causing your symptoms.

Thank you helly, had also wondered about that.

Vit D? Thyroid?

Get your thyroid tested too.

I would imagine they would also check your thyroid.

I have badgered my GP for what seems like years, feeling crap, weight gain, sore joints, no libido. They tested for thyroid (T3 & T4 IIRC), ferritin, B12 and a others that I can't remember, which all came back fine. I was gutted. My GP thinks I have leaky gut, which allows toxins to pass through the intestine wall and in to the bloodstream, making you tired and feel dreadful. He suggested I cut out gluten, which I have done, but tbh it didn't make much difference.

I have recently started reading about candida overgrowth, which can manifest itself in lots of ways, including tiredness, joint pains etc and also causes leaky gut. It might be worth doing a bit of reading around it. this is a decent website. I am currently on a low candida diet (Zoe Harcombe) and supplements to reduce the candida and have also cut out dairy. Might be worth discussing with your doctor too?

I had anaemia due to heavy periods. Ferritin is the iron store in your blood, so you'd need those checked too, as well as haemaglobin.
They should investigate it properly - a colleague of mine had severe anaemia - it turned out he had coeliac disease, which was causing it (iron not being absorbed by the gut)

Just wanted to pop back and say this different GP was great, suggested testing for all the things you have mentioned, and talked about a plan if everything came back ok. It was so nice to be understood.

That's great news! I hope you get the results soon.

Thanks Stargirl, it was a real relief. Weird though, I almost want them to find something like anaemia so I can treat it and feel better!