Am I just a fat, lazy hypochondriac???

[OpheliaBumps]

Afternoon

Would any of you mind giving me your opinions please?

For over a year and especially over the last few months I've had what I thought could be hypothyroid symptoms but I now think could be vitamin/iron deficiency symptoms. Went to my GP who, as most of you have found, couldn't have been less interested but she reluctantly agreed to me getting bloods done. I'm a nurse so got my bloods done at work which means I'm able to access (probably unofficially) my results so wasn't going to be fobbed off with the usual 'all normal' response - which is exactly what I got.

SYMPTOMS

weight gain and real difficulty losing anything, fatigue/lethargy/lack of motivation, depression (being treated with sertraline for 3 years), recurrent colds/urti, restless/light sleep, mild carpal tunnel, stiff fingers and toes, nails that break and peel, occasional palpitations, restless legs, scalloped tongue, always too hot with random sweats, loose stools, pitting oedema lower legs (bit of an odd one!)...........

BLOOD RESULTS

B12 221 (180 - 900)

Folate 5.5 (3 - 20)

Ferritin 62.8 (10 - 200)

Total Cholesterol 5.5 (<5)

CRP 14.2 (0 - 5)

WCC 12.8 (4 - 11)

TSH 3.29 (0.3 - 4.2)

Free T4 11.4 (9 - 19)

Free T3 4.3 (2.6 - 5.7)

Do I have a problem or am I just a fat, lazy hypochondriac??????

[ajw1205]

I doubt you are a fat, lazy hypochondriac, as I have many of the same symptoms. It is possible to have PA with a 'normal' reading of B12, I believe. I'm sure someone with more experience will be along later, but I didn't want to leave your post ignored

[JMN2017]

Hi

I would agree with ajw1205 in that I doubt you are lazy, nor hypochondriac Being a nurse isn't an easy job and certainly not for the faint-hearted (I'm a retired nurse and definitely know how demanding it can be)

I have had similar reaction from my GP, saying all is 'normal', in spite of classic symptoms etc, being fobbed off etc although I was/am convinced of B12 deficiency. B12 levels were right on the base level, Folate out of range (high) - to which the GP suggested I was eating too many cabbages!!! Almost in the same breath, he was agreeing I was a professional etc.... - I couldn't work that one out

So, all I can suggest is to continue to do your research. Print off, and take, some 'medical' documents, ie BNF on B12 Def and NICE guidelines, and maybe a good (medical) article - in the hope s/he will read and take notice.

I've resorted to buying stuff and self-injecting and, aboiut 5 weeks later, I'm feeling so much different. Like you, I did start wondering if I was just lazy and hypochondriac but then realised I was NOT so, and the effects of the alt day injections have proved it. I have yet to tell my GP what I've been doing ...

Stick with it, dig your heels in, and you'll get there, one way or another