Help diagnose me

[InYourRoom]

Can my vipers help please. I’ve been experiencing some challenging symptoms lately, including:

• Extreme tiredness

• Joint pain (I even had a steroid injection in my shoulder but I also have a painful knee and elbow)
• Depression and anxiety - my depression was a few months ago and i worked really hard on improving it but I feel it getting worse again.

—I’ve also had high BP and got put on a 2.5 dose of ramipril in October. I am due an ECG in a couple of weeks. I have lost nearly 5 stone since then and whilst I have been trying to I am worried that it’s not the only reason for my weight loss.

I’m due to see the Dr this week and want to know what to ask about.

Recently, I received some blood results:

• *Low Vitamin B12 Levels:* This could be contributing to my fatigue and other symptoms. Current reading 195 ng - it was 194 in June 23 but this was missed.

• *Normal Serum Folate*

• *Serum Ferritin Levels:* 291ug/L these have been rising since June 23 when they were 215.

• * Monocytes: These are at 0.18 109/L so low and showing as abnormal previous readings 0.19 December and 0.34 October

-* Serum HDL Cholesterol:* Abnormal at 0.97mmol/L previous readings have been 0.99 and 1.

I’m wondering if these health issues could be interconnected. Has anyone else experienced similar symptoms and were they connected?

Also, did you ever need to take time off work due to these kinds of symptoms? I just feel like it’s all too much with work too at the moment.

Thanks for reading this far! I should probably mention I’m early 50’s and through menopause (well, are we ever truly through) - I’ve been blaming everything on that previously but not think it’s more.

Low vitamin D can also cause your symptoms.
Thyroid issues can also cause your symptoms.
Have they tested HBA1c?

you can boost HDL by eating high omega 3 foods, lowering carbs & exercising (impossible when so knackered though, I know)

New guidelines suggest patients who are symptomatic but have a b12 level 285 or below (iirc, just under 300 anyway) would benefit from taking high strength b12.
If your surgery say your level is normal and won’t treat, it might be worth getting a couple of injections privately to see if it helps.
Are you on HRT? I’m post meno but on it, if not, it really could help with some symptoms. There’s a Dr on TikTok who specialises in menopause and bangs on about HRT helping all your symptoms (& more) along with magnesium supplements and a few other things. I will go and see if I can find a link for her

Here she is. She has a few posts on what she takes supplements wise but does also frequently mention that menopause causes anxiety, depression, fatigue, joint pain, frozen shoulder etc etc. there are so many things I have that I never even knew were menopause related before, it’s an endless list!

www.tiktok.com/@drmaryclaire?_t=ZN-8v5jbTn4m9O&_r=1

Ramipril lowers blood pressure and can make you feel tired. If you are 5 stone down now, what is your BP and do you still need this?

Thanks FeelingLikeAFaultyNPC HBA1c not tested this time but these are my previous results.

I have made big improvements to my diet and exercise even though I am so tired. I have to walk two dogs so no real choice on that one.

I ‘m on HRT and the depression got better when I got that right but can feel my anxiety taking over again.

Definitely ask about b12, Thyroid and Vitamin D then.
With your HBA1c being well wishing the normal range I doubt that’s an issue then.
Increase in HRT?

I agree with this.

Do you take vitamin D?

Unintentional weight loss is a big red flag symptom.

I would suggest you start your consultation by saying 'I am worried that I have lost 5 stone in 5 months with only minimal effort and when previously I haven't been successful in losing weight' - or a similar statement that reflects your situation best.

Then throw in 'my main symptoms are extreme fatigue and pain in my large joints'.

This will help your doctor immediately realise this is a serious consultation.

Hi - that was my thought when I’ve got faint but it’s coming out on the higher side of normal to stage 1 when I have checked it.

Lovegame I don’t, but will look at starting Vit D thanks

Thanks AnnaMagnani that’s really helpful as a starting point.

In the nicest way, talk to your GP and not a bunch of medically unqualified forum users (a high percentage of whom have severe health anxiety) - what people will suggest is likely far worse than the reality of your symptoms. The amount of people on here who claim to be Consultants, Nurses and Doctors is shocking - and I'm pretty sure anyone qualified would direct you to someone who is too.

I am obviously going to talk to my GP, I said that in my first post but I’m at a stage where I also want to get an idea of what to ask the GP and everyone else has been really helpful with that. Cheers!

Fibromyalgia?
ME/CFS?

I agree with PP about the weight loss.