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Original poster

Why am I so tired?

47 replies

ellsisland · 04/10/2019 20:36

I have been off work for 2 weeks now as I have been suffering with extreme tiredness to the point I can't focus.

I have been tested for all of the below and all has come back okay. The doctors did not suggest any further tests and have left it as that really..

I mentioned to my partner today I have a metal taste in my mouth and he has suggested perhaps it is an iron deficiency which is not something I had thought of previously. I have looked at other side effects and I have also been experiencing some of these including dizziness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and this evening my mum commented on how pale I look.

I was just wondering if any one knew if any of these tests below would be for iron or if I should go back for another blood test?

So sick of feeling like now so any help is appreciated Sad

Why am I so tired?
OP posts:
HelC46 · 04/10/2019 20:46

I have anemia and the main symptom is extreme tiredness. I was so bad once I had to sit down when out and about. Just too tired to go on. I would have thought they would have tested that though. I have prescription iron tablets which are stronger than the ones you buy as a multivitamin apparently. I also get really itchy skin when it's very bad. Hope this helps

T1gerEye · 04/10/2019 20:48

Try testing for vitamin D. Was honestly something I'd never given a single thought to before. Got tested and was at a level of 29 which is deficient.

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 20:53

@HelC46 @T1gerEye thank you both for your replies. Your symptoms sound all too familiar to me HelC!

I will be quite annoyed if they haven't checked for that as I did mention we are also TTC and I know having low iron during pregnancy can cause issues.. I have a multi vitamin I have been meaning to start taking which includes iron, folic acid & vitamin D so will start on that and see how I get on.

I was so upset when I went to the doctors as I am so frustrated with how Ive been feeling that she tried to pass it off as depressionConfused

OP posts:
T1gerEye · 04/10/2019 20:57

I've been taking 4000iu vitamin D for 2 weeks now. It's a high dose but needed to try and get my levels up and I'll test again in December to see if it's going in the right direction

I also have low iron.

I feel 'fine' I suppose. But I go to sleep at night at about 11.30pm. I get up no problems at 7.30 to sort my youngest (12) for school so I know he's got everything etc. I then bloody go back to bed when he's left and sometimes I'll fall asleep again until 10am! Ridiculous. I'm then ready for a quick nap in the afternoon sometimes. On the other hand, I could power through I suppose

Thank god I have my own business working from home

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:04

@T1gerEye I'm very envious of your mid morning naps!!

I'm not sure if I should start the vitamins today or get a blood test first.. Don't want the vitamins to make my levels look higher than they are if you get what I mean Hmm

Doesn't seem like these vitamins contain much vitamin D Confused I've no idea how this all works however!

Why am I so tired?
OP posts:
Ellapaella · 04/10/2019 21:09

You had a full blood count which you say you were told was okay so presumably your haemoglobin was within range.
Are you vegetarian? It might be worth getting your ferratin levels checked as well as vitamin D.
Also have you seen your thyroid function results yourself or did they just tell you they were ok?

HelC46 · 04/10/2019 21:11

Iron levels take ages to go up. I was on a high dose 2 times a day for 3 months and I only went from severely low to just within normal in that time. I am just very ineffective at storing iron. I would ask them to check vitamin b as well as my dad had similar symptoms and it took ages for them to work out that. It does sound like a vitamin deficiency though. I couldn't believe how awful I felt. Do you have heavy periods as that is a major factor in my anemia.

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:16

@Ellapaella thank you for your reply. I've googled and assume haemoglobin would be iron levels?
I'm not fully vegetarian but I'd say 75% of my meals are meat free. I have never been one to eat red meat either.
I do have an under active thyroid and have done for maybe 10 years now. Prior to this I had been feeling the best I had felt in ages and then the last month I have felt the worst I have in years!

@HelC46 they have checked my vitamin b12.. is that the same as vitamin B? I am completely clueless with all this! I actually have really light periods (luckily)

OP posts:
Techway · 04/10/2019 21:21

Have you had a copy of your blood tests?

Fbc should include iron but worth having ferritin level checked as too high can cause extreme tiredness.
Have they checked for inflamation levels?

Hecateh · 04/10/2019 21:21

Within range is not enough for you to be well. Ask your GP practice for a copy of your results (you will get a 'result' and an indication of where in the 'range' this result falls. Then post your results back on here OR research deficiency in anything that is in the 'lower third' of results. Or in the case of thyroid function - anything above TSH of 2. Thyroid deficiency is notoriously under diagnosed and the higher you TSH the worse your thyroid function.

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:22

I also keep getting a sore throat but I don't know if that's from being so run down Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:27

@Techway @Hecateh thank you both for your replies. I haven't seen the results myself. I should call back and get them. They initially told me something was wrong and then called back 3 days later and said it was fine so I have little faith in them really!
Would the inflammation be in the form of a blood test? They tested my liver and i thought perhaps that was for inflammation.

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 04/10/2019 21:39

@ellsisland
If you have an underactive thyroid are you on medication (Eltroxin)? Levels may need adjusting tho I assume doctor would have checked those.

Stupid question but as you are TTC, you're definitely not pregnant, are you?

usernom123123 · 04/10/2019 21:42

What treatment are you on for your under-active thyroid?

Ellapaella · 04/10/2019 21:42

@ellsisland I also have a raised TSH, mine is 9 but my Free T4 is always the lower end of normal. I can honestly say I don't think I have any symptoms but I have it monitored every 3 months. It may be that you need to have thyroid antibodies checked. In regards to inflammation I think that it may be ESR that people are referring to which is related to auto immune disorders but I'm not absolutely sure about this so hopefully someone else will give you better info than me on that.

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:43

@EarringsandLipstick thank you for your reply! I'm on 100mg levothyroxine and finally found a brand that works really well for me.. my levels were checked in July and again now and doctor advised they are all good..
No definitely not pregnant as not yet ovulated this month! Dread to think how exhausted il be when I am pregnant Shock

OP posts:
Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 21:44

@usernom123123 I'm on 100mg of levothyroxine at present

OP posts:
usernom123123 · 04/10/2019 21:51

@ellsisland
What are your most recent TFT results ? TSH and T4 specifically?
If you don't know, ask your medical practice for a print out of your results. You may have to pay them a photocopying fee.
The range for a "normal TSH" is quite wide unfortunately.

EarringsandLipstick · 04/10/2019 21:54

That's great your thyroid is under control - so important when TTC.

A PP mentioned ferritin levels - this is your iron stores and doesn't look like it's been checked tho I would have thought it would be. Maybe just ask the GP?

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 22:02

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I'm not going to be able to get to the doctors until Thursday now as I am back in work Monday Sad

I'll ask them for a copy of my results and post them here. I'll also ask them if there are any further checks we can do (iron, vitamin D).

In the mean time I'll start taking the multi vitamin I've had sitting around which contains vitamin D, B and iron and hope I start to feel better soon!

OP posts:
usernom123123 · 04/10/2019 22:05

You also need to have bloods for Iron stores OP, this will give your ferritin result amongst other things. Your haemoglobin FBC may be in range but it's still possible to have iron deficient anaemia if your ferritin levels are very low.

Techway · 04/10/2019 22:19

Yes ESR levels and CRP. Usually ESR in first instance.

Do you have any other symptom other than tiredness?

Original poster
ellsisland · 04/10/2019 22:22

@Techway thank you, I'll ask for this to be looked at too.

Main symptoms:
•tiredness
•sore throat, comes and goes
•dizziness/brain fuzz
•heart palpitations
•loss of concentration/unable to focus
•anxiety

OP posts:
RoseQuartzGlow · 04/10/2019 22:27

Are you possibly suffering from candida?

DENMAN03 · 04/10/2019 22:31

Could you have sleep apnea?

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