At a loss with my health

[Galaxyinmypocket]

Bloods are "good" including full blood checks for thyroid, GP not very helpful. Take 12 vitamins daily, no other medication, healthy lifestyle, lots of exercise, active, good self care. Mid 30s, coeliac disease, completely gluten free for years, no cheating. Don't know what to do, feeling more and more depressed, feel like I'm climbing a hill and making no progress. I have a stressful job but don't really feel stressed, I manage this well, take care of myself. I'm at a loss and at a really low point today

I don’t have any miracle answers! But didn’t like to see you unanswered when you’re feeling down, so I’ll ask some questions instead.

Do you notice any differences at different times of month? If it’s PMT or ovulation related you might need different strategies for different points in your cycle.

How much coffee do you drink? It used to make no difference to my sleep at all, but as I’ve got older I stop drinking coffee after around 12 noon or my sleep quality gets destroyed.

You say “good self care” but what’s your eating like? As you have a big appetite, are you getting a good proportion of protein and not just carbs to make you feel fuller (and might help things like hair and nail quality too).

Taking vitamin tablets doesn’t always help if you’re not absorbing them properly. For example, coffee can make vitamin c absorption worse.

Do you drink enough liquid overall? To help the cramp in feet and general wellbeing?

Sounds like a lot of my symptoms and I'm perimenopausal. I'm 39, so slightly older than you, but perhaps a consideration?
I also have had all the blood tests and they've been fine

Sorry I can't offer any advice but wanted to know you're not alone. My GP was very helpful though and has given me a lot of info, perhaps ask to see a different GP?

Your symptoms could also be attributed to your thyroid hormones being out of sync.

Have a look at thyroid UKs website re blood tests for the thyroid gland.

have you seen your actual blood test results? If not, I would ask for a copy and compare them against the "normal" ranges. I know a few people who've been told their bloods are fine but if one or two things are at the bottom end of the normal range it's enough to make you feel awful. Your symptoms sound like they could be thyroid related to me.

Hi all, thank you for the responses.

Perimenopause has been suggested but I'm not sure it is as I've had these symptoms for about 5 years. If it is that, what would help me feel better? I have asked to see a different GP, appointment is next week.

I really genuinely thought the bloods would show something underlying such as a deficiency in something or hashimotos, but my bloods are all good (have physical copy).

My TSH is 2.44 and because this is in normal range they wont consider any further tests.
I will have a look on thyroid UK website, I don't know what else to do re what to ask for when I see the GP, I have asked to see an endocrinologist, that's not going to happen. I'm not certain I can afford to go private.

My vitamin d is 79.2 and my iron and everything else is good. I have usually 2 periods a month, one short and one around a week later which is painful and heavy, it doesn't always follow the same pattern, I have recently had cervical screening, all normal.

For a long time I have felt a lot of my symptoms are hormone related, I have horribly low mood before and during my periods, I'm snappy, tired, have cyst like acne, I wake up with incredibly painful hips as though I have been in an accident.

Sorry this is long. I'm certain this is thyroid related, especially with my hair, I have bra strap length hair and it is just snapping so much that a lot of it is very short now and I'll probably need to get it all cut off 😔

I do not use heat stylers, use regular treatments, use very gentle brushes etc, do not tie it too lightly. I eat a good diet, very varied including fish, eggs, meat, some pulses and carbs. I drink too much coffee, my sugar intake is bad, I think this and possibly dairy products are causing inflammation and contributing to my poor health.

I feel I take care of myself - exercise, try to rest when I can, go to bed relatively early, good routines around washing my face, brushing my teeth, cleanse and moisturise my skin daily, use gentle products etc.

Sorry that's long and thanks again for replying

Hi OP, do you know your ferritin level? The NHS 'normal' level is shockingly low!

@ditzzy I do not drink enough water, I struggle with that.
When I say big appetite I mean I never feel satisfied, I want more food, I think that might be due to the sugar I have (something sweet every day ie some chocolate or fizzy drink) and my cortisol or insulin might be up and down because of that?

@Covidwoes yes, ferritin is 92, b12 is actually really high - 991 !

Sounds like some kind of autoimmune disease, which are notoriously hard to pin point and diagnose, even harder to treat.

@ToBeOrNotToBee I agree, It's so hard trying to work out what is wrong, I already have one autoimmune disease.

I am really fed up and sometimes just think why do I bother with all this effort to take care of myself physically and mentally and I rarely feel well.

I think its probably your thyroid which is out of whack, probably auto immune.
Have a look at Healthunlocked and consider getting private blood tests for thyroid function, TSH alone isnt enough to go on at all.

I agree with this. I was told my blood tests were ‘fine’ but it turned out my iron levels were way below the optimal level.

Early peri menopause? If you have one autoimmune condition you are more prone to others. My mum had premature ovarian insufficiency aged 35 - it's uncommon but not that rare. Does sound like something hormonal/ endocrine? With your history of Coeliac which is autoimmune and all of your symptoms I would push for an endocrine review or at least further tests. I had Graves' disease and my thyroid went a bit up and down when checked but then suddenly went very overactive- it's a horrid feeling with many of your symptoms too.

I feel for you, I've suffered many of your symptoms with thyroid and then perimenopause and I started feeling peri mid to late 30's too but was brushed off by docs - even with my mums history! Finally persuaded then I needed to try HRT and I felt a LOT better once I had the right doses. I'd felt rubbish for years though and wasted so much time. Good luck

Have you had a full blood count done

Know someone who went to the doctors over and over as she was having really strange symptoms

Was told bloods ok not anaemia

Changed doctors and finally got a full blood works done.

Folic acid deficiency

If you can, try and prioritise seeing an endocrinologist. NHS aren’t great in sorting out these type of issues in my experience. Insist you have a full blood count taken by the NhS before you see the endo, so you can take them this information.
Also, how’s your iron levels? The lower end of the normal range is too low for me and I feel horrendous but it’s never flagged in my blood tests as being a problem.

@trickyex I will have a look at the health unlocked, thank you.

@BlueSkies81 I don't think my iron levels are low, it certainly feels like they are sometimes though.

@MrsHemswoth thanks! I really do want to push for an appointment with endocrinologist, it's not something the GP would entertain last time I suggested it. There is one GP who I feel really understands and I've asked to see her again, the last one I seen didn't seem to listen at all and just said all of this was due to coeliac even though I am completely gluten free.
I will ask if they would consider trying me on HRT as I am just so desperate to feel better.

@Yalta& @Hitched2 yes, I have had full bloods, in fact, I have had numerous sets of blood work done and it's getting to the point now where I worry they might think I'm some sort of hypochondriac! I don't think there's any issues with iron, each time I've had blood done I've requested physical copy so I can look into it myself, I have heard that docs can class your results as normal but then they are actually borderline and on the lowest end of normal.
I do wonder why the GP has not already referred me to endocrinology, I know it's probably a cost thing but what health criteria do I need to have before I can access support from that department?

Thanks again for the replies, it helps to hear of others' experiences

Do you like (or can you eat?) nuts? If you’re only having one sweet thing a day, then that’s really good, so I wouldn’t worry about insulin on that basis, but if you’re hungry often then increasing protein can help make you feel fuller for longer.

I’ve recently started treatment for B12 and folate deficiency, the B12 was only just below the minimum level, so the doctor was hesitating but the nurses at my GP pointed out my age (probably peri-menopausal) and symptoms and they’re now giving me quarterly B12 injections which makes so much difference. Is there anyone else at your surgery that you can talk it through with to get another point of view? GPs are often so rushed, but the nurses have more time to chat.

@ditzzy I have purchased some mixed nuts! I am going to try health unlocked and going to order test kit tonight 🙂