Loads of symptoms but bloods satisfactory?

[Ridiculouslytired]

Hi - just posting for some suggestions please.
I’ve had a blood test this week, they’ve done a full blood count, thyroid, kidney, liver and diabetes. I’ve spoken to the receptionist and apparently they’ve all come back satisfactory.

I have an appointment with a dr next week, and I’m really wanting some help in what to say or ask for as I’m so desperately tired all the time.

symptoms include: debilitating fatigue ( I only have energy to do the absolute essentials), weight gain, night sweats, forgetful/brain fog.

what can I say to be taken seriously and not fobbed off? Or any ideas what could be doing this or could be tested for? I snore dreadfully so was wondering about sleep apnea. I also thought it could be low thyroid as I had postpartum thyroiditis 11 years ago, but obviously that’s come back ok. Generally healthy diet. Oh, I’m 48 and still have regular periods.

I had same thing recently & I was told by receptionist that all my bloods were fine so imagine my surprise when the dr called back 2 weeks later telling my I have celiac disease! Don’t take the receptionists word for it. Also hormone tests are only as good as the day they do them as they fluctuate on 12 hr cycles. There could be times of the day or month you are low. My dr said my symptoms can be caused by celiac disease but also I may still be peri-menopausal and symptoms could be from both. I have to go GF first then go back about peri. Defo keep pushing for answers.

As others have said it will undoubtedly be peri at your age and with the issues you have so Google it, read up on it, look at NICE guidelines and go in with all the info. With a 10 min slot the Dr won't have the time to go through everything.

In the meantime preoptimise your health with lots of physical activity to promote good sleep and mood, eat well so reduce your usual intake as now metabolism slowing and putting weight on. Get a fan for overheating and limit caffeine and booze.

Have you been tested for b12?

I'm not ruling out peri, but I also think it could be one of a number of things - iron, b12, thyroid. I was convinced I was just going to feel shit now due to my age but it turned out I was iron deficient. It's very easy to see a woman of 45+ and say it must be peri but it's worth getting everything checked and investigating levels yourself.

My DD had symptoms like you, they were suspecting chronic fatigue syndrome, but then she had a further blood test which found she had haemochromatosis, a common genetic condition which is under diagnosed. She has received treatment (venesections) and us now much better. Maybe worth mentioning to your GP

yeah this happened to me too, you should be able to see your results on the nhs app.

She's had bloods checked and all fine. Fatigue, night sweats, weight gain and brain fog with normal blood results in a 48yr old will be due to peri issue surely. Ferritin would have been checked I'm someone presenting with fatigue.

I'm surprised whoever requested the bloods didn't suggest peri tbh.

I did however say earlier (as did other that bloods being "normal" doesn't necessarily mean your bloods aren't just over the line between the normal/abnormal. Absolutely not ruling out peri, just pointing out that it's important to actually see levels and numbers. I genuinely would have thought I was in peri until it turned out my iron was dropping - but always classed as "normal".

I’m just back from seeing the dr so I thought I’d update. I was really pleased that he took me seriously.

he’s referred me for more blood tests as my original tests didn’t check vitamin d, b12 and iron. (Iron should be fine as I’m a carrier for haemochromatosis) He’s also discussed whether I’m peri. Wouldn’t test for sleep apnea as he said he felt that was an outcome of other issues and he wanted to find out those first.

Second blood tests tomorrow so hopefully I will have more information next week.

that’s very good. iron may not be fine if you’re a carrier. you need both genes to be better at absorbing / at risk of overload apparently.

I was struggling to keep ferritin up till periods stopped. I may be a carrier; it’s in the family. I also think changing my diet has helped.

Oh, I hadn’t realised that about iron! Thanks

And to be honest, iirc sometimes women don’t start to suffer from symptoms till menopause because they loose so much iron through monthly blood loss. My aunt was very late diagnosed.

I thought I’d do another update - I’ve seen the dr again this week after my follow up blood tests. This time they tested b12, D and coeliac markers. D is low but everything else is fine and the dr said he didn’t think my symptoms could be attributed to low vitamin D, although he said I should take a supplement to increase it.

I’ve agreed to try HRT to see whether that helps. He has sent me a link to an NHS site which explains the different types of treatment and has told me to send him a message to let him know what I want to be prescribed. I’m at a bit of a loss! Does anyone have any links/recommendations of sites for guidance on this?

The nhs link that they sent will have all the info needed. Or, Google hrt NICE guidelines or even read the meno board on here. There's loads of info available.

In a nutshell mirconised, body identical is thought to be the safest so oestrogrel and utrogestan or patches. Try it and review in 6mths <obviously variables if there's other medical issues>.

Good idea about vit D, tbh everyone should be taking it.

I think the amount of information that’s out there is what I’m struggling with.

How low is your vitamin D as in what figure was is? Also ask them to test your magnesium levels as if that is also low you will struggle to raise vitD.

Could also be ME/CFS. How bad is your fatigue? When mine started. I had to spend all weekend in bed to recover from the week.

Have a peruse of this website:

https://meassociation.org.uk/

What were your actual thyroid results?
i think a history of post partum thyroiditis could increase chance of thyroid issues later on