Asthma combined with other conditions?

[LDloveslattecoffe]

I have had asthma since I was 19 and next month I am 50.

About 3 years ago, I was diagnosed with Obstructive Sleep Apnoea and another related condition beginning with H?

I have PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Lockdown has been difficult in terms of staying active with the swimming pools closing etc and started becoming breathless/wheeze/ankle swelling for no reason/had headaches/dizzy and felt totally off so finally this month contacted GP and asked to have annual review a month early because since 14/2/20 put on loads of weight and reduced periods last one August and wanted to know if this was the PCOS mucking everything up or being the age I am was I in menopause?.

Turned out when I got weighed I had put on 2 stone in the last 11 months.

Results came back loads all over the place - some great i.e. Thyroid/cholesterol and HBa1c all fine but GFR 57 (usually 66 to late 70's), Creatine high, Hormones LH and FSH sky high, other tests hormonal indicated testosterone high.

Links both Menopause and PCOS.

Most worrying was both Haemoglobin readings were low (takes oxygen through the blood).

Some tests repeated 2 days later and GFR went back to 66 but creatine and haemoglobin stayed the same. Checked Iron/B12 and Folate.

A few years ago my Vit D and folate were tested - my Vit D was so low they put me on a really high dose and then after measured and it decreased back to normal but close to borderline so put me on maintenance dose 800iu twice a day and my folate was low too so I have been on folic acid since so when they tested the folate it came back fine.

B12 was fine but the Iron levels were 10 and the results said <12 ug/l complete absence of stored iron.

The low iron levels explain the breathlessness and even dizziness/headaches had last year (note had migraines since 15 and other types of headaches since late 20's so didn't think much about the headaches).

It could even explain the times when monitoring blood pressure why have been identifying on the monitor irregular heartbeats.

They have put me on Ferrous Sulphate (Iron tablets) they say it takes a week to see a difference and 3.5 days later I am starting to feel a slight difference in myself (sleeping better and waking up feeling better).

They have also reintroduced the Metformin that I used to take for PCOS and Orlistat to see if these help me lose weight (PCOS makes it harder to lose weight).

I am awaiting another test result and then they are looking to proceed with investigating the cause of the iron deficiency.

I have asked the GP if they think the fact I have PCOS or Asthma is linked to these deficiency's (Vit D, Folate and Iron) but they don't seem to think so.

Anyone else had a combination of conditions and found a causal link?

********UPDATE***********

Different (regular GP asked me to hold off on taking the Iron tablets as said they may interfere with the investigations.

Did the Coeliac Screening which came back as fine/satisfactory.

Saw Respiratory consultant as still bringing blood up in phlegm - he said wanted to redo scan as it was 2 years ago and did bloods and got sputum test. Awaiting appointment for Scan and have a phone consult said if can't see anything on scan will do a Bronchoscopy.

In looking for the causal link for the low iron I have to have camera investigations for colonoscopy and gastroscopy. Pre-assessment on Monday afternoon.

Although invasive and uncomfortable looks like hopefully will get some answers and if no answers my GP said the only other likely cause would be Chronic disease anaemia.

[Glty]

Wow, you've got alot going on. I can't give any useful advice on the majority, but I wonder if you've had coeliac blood tests? Worth ruling it out as it might explain poor iron and vitamin absorption and it doesn't always present with gastro issues but can have a variety of non-specific fatigue, pain, skin and brain fog type effects.

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Glty]

Thanks, I will ask the GP about whether it has been tested for

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to LDloveslattecoffe]

Spoke to my GP, test for Coeliac on the 4th Feb blood tests.

[Hidden]

Some lung conditions are linked strongly with low vitamin D levels according to research (on COPD patients) published in the last year or so. The problem isn’t absorption as was once (and still widely) thought. It’s that once we absorb it, our bodies can’t metabolise it into a hormonal form quickly enough before we process it as waste (approx 3 hour timeframe) so it doesn’t matter how much you absorb, whatever isn’t metabolised in that time ends up in the bladder.

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Hidden]

Thank you that is good to know

[Poobah]

I have iron deficient anaemia and after tests there was no identified cause. I've been on maintenance iron for 15 years. Low iron levels can cause an irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia as the heart has to work harder to get oxygen around the body. If you take iron then make sure you have your annual bloods done as it checks out the affect on your liver as well as your full blood count.

Low VitD levels can cause all manner of stresses on the body, including headache and migraine, bone pain and muscle fatigue. The normal range starts at 50 but it may make you feel better by aiming for a higher level. Some research has shown a link between low VitD levels and increased asthma exacerbations. However, VitD won't cure asthma but normal levels are a benefit. I had to take 2000iu pd in order to achieve a level of 52.

It's not unusual for VitB12 & folate to be low if VitD is low. If you're going to take VitD3 long term then it's good to avoid calcification by also taking VitKmk7. But talk to your GP if you're on blood thinners as VitK can affect that. The most natural way to up your VitD levels is sunshine, but we don't enjoy enough of that during winter months and if you've been shielding you may have missed out during the spring and summer months.

It will certainly help you feel better and lose weight once your hormone levels and PCOS are treated more effectively. It's difficult to know where to start when you have multiple challenges - it's a bit like spinning plates! All the best.

[LDloveslattecoffe in reply to Poobah]

Thank you a lot of interesting points to get checked out.