What bloods test for fatigue?

[Maria1982]

I've seen lots of good advice on here over the years, so I turn to mumsnet for advice on this.

I have had a variety of symptoms for 8+ months:
-Fatigue,
-Muscle and joint pain,
-Feeling cold all the time,
-Poor sleep,
-Dizziness,
-Intermittent digestive issues.

GP has tested me for thyroid, anaemia, liver and kidney function, coeliac screen, and declared all normal.

I am fed up with feeling awful all the time, so have decided to get some blood tests privately. From reading on here I'm thinking definitely B12, and T3, T4 for thyroid (rather than just TSH).

What else would you recommend testing for please? TIA.

cherrytree I do sleep alone most of the time, as my partner snores v loudly. Actually he was investigated for sleep apnea as I was concerned! I don't snore, so assumed I wasn't at risk of sleep apnea, but is that a wrong assumption? I will ask him to observe me next time we do share a bed..

swingofthings I relate to so much of what you say! I too have had years of pushing myself to do more and rushing (and London commuting) behind me, and it feels in the past year as if I am just drained, physically and emotionally. And feeling like I can't switch off, even when I technically am on holiday/not at work. I have started to meditate in an attempt to counteract this and retrain myself out of stress, but it is slow going...

And yes to sleeping lightly. for example tonight, even though we had an extra hour of sleep, I have woken up exhausted after what felt like a night of not being really asleep. I haven't tried sleeping pills, herbal remedies or similar yet, as I am reluctant to go down that path. I also do wonder whether sleeping-pill induced sleep would be the same quality as 'real' sleep, but I think that's just my prejudice and fear of sleeping pills talking.

It's nice to talk to someone with similar issues, even though I'm sorry we are both suffering from this!

By the way, this: constantly thinking of my next move, action really resonated with me.

flowerpower321, yes I realised that low TSH means borderline for overactive not underachieve, which was not what I was expecting with my symptoms, but in the ways it matches (the anxiety, the poor sleep, those are overactive symptoms right?).
I don't think the rheumatologist has tested for ana. He tested CRP (elevated) and rheumatoid factors (negative). I take it ana is different to rheumatoid factors?

Thank you everyone for your advice, wisdom and suggestions. I am finding it really helpful and I appreciate it very much.

Hi Maria, I think there should be an disorder given the name 'thinkingtoomuchitis'!

I strongly believe that lack of deep sleep however many hours total sleep one get night after night leads to terrible symptoms. Everywhere I read focuses on insomnia, ie struggle to fall asleep, or waking up too much/too early but I have read little about sleeping too lightly as an actual sleep issue.

Indeed cherry, this issue wouldnt meet the criteria for a referral to sleep studies. Sleep studies will see people with sleep walking, stopping to breath, falling asleep suddenly etc...

Too be fair, I don't think there miracle cures but to slow down, and learn to relax. The first one is often very difficult without significant changes in one's life that would impact on others. The second can be helped with mindfulness or CBT but considering how long of it took to get there, I imagine it takes a long time to change bad habits.

At the point of learning trends and understanding. My issue is that I care too much to please everyone and always do by utmost best. I hate the idea that I could be letting people down, be it my OH, children, boss, friends. When people are not happy with me, I feel very anxious and unhappy and so am always anticipating what I need to do/say to avoid it. This leads me to be constantly over thinking and struggling to relax.

My best nights are always Sunday nights as I've had time to unwind. Fridays are the worse.

I believe that many people who suffer from chronic fatigue and symptoms that can't be explained by blood tests are suffering from lack of good quality sleep. People resort to alcohol, sleep pills or other drugs to relax them, but none of these will increase deep sleep, they just knock you out into light sleep with some vivid dreams.

I want to do relaxation but the only classes available are at 3pm (surely anyone free at this time is least likely to need to learn to relax!) or 7pm which is too late for me as I'm in bed by 8:30!

I had most of your symptoms (aside from digestive issues) when I was deficient in vitamin D.