Constant Fatigue

[Sophie1304]

Hi

I'm struggling so much with fatigue, I have headache as soon as I wake up for work, I yawn for most of the day and my eyes are so swollen and tend to slowly shut by themselves when I'm at work or on transport! I do have a busy lifestyle, but I always make sure I get 8 hours at least sleep every night and I do regular exercise too!

Does anyone have any tips on how to manage and live a life without feeling so drained constantly? I work full time so I know there is the option of reducing my hours, but I'm only 23 and I really need the money 😭.

Really stuck in the middle at the moment and need some advice please!

[RW3265]

I'd be getting a b12 Vit D iron and ferritin blood test - even if they say normal i'd be makeing sure b12 is 800 vit d is 70 + iron around 20 and ferritin at 70 +

[Sophie1304 in reply to RW3265]

Thank you. I will try get one!

[greygoose]

Could be your T3 is low. Have you had it tested?

[Sophie1304 in reply to greygoose]

I'm not sure if I have, I have an appointment at the end of December with a rheumo to test me more for lupus as that has come back borderline recently. I will ask if that can be tested at same time when I get more bloods done. Thank you for your reply!

[greygoose in reply to Sophie1304]

Well, lupus is going to make you pretty tired, anyway, isn't it. Do you have any treatment for that?

[Sophie1304 in reply to greygoose]

I've not been diagnosed yet, just borderline bloods came back so having to go to the hospital for more thorough investigation, but that isn't until the 28th december (been waiting since October for the appointment).

[greygoose in reply to Sophie1304]

Oh dear, that's bad. Still, if you could get your FT3 tested, that might get you more answers.

And, I agree, it would be a good idea to get your vit D etc. tested. If your nutrients are low - as they often are in hypos - then that will make you feel bad.

[Sophie1304 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your help. I will definitely be asking for those to be tested.

[greygoose in reply to Sophie1304]

You're welcome. Hope you find something.

But, don't expect any help from your doctor on that. They know nothing about nutrition. Best to post your results on here and let us have a look!

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sophie1304]

The doctors rarely test for Free T3 and Free T4 which most on this forum believe are very important. We need both towards the top of the range and they're usually at bottom.

Are you aware thyroid blood tests have to be the earliest possible and fasting?

[Sophie1304 in reply to shaws]

I have always had them done in the morning, but when I have asked about them being fasting ones, they said no and that I could eat/drink like normal. So I will question that next time.

Thank you.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sophie1304]

Unfortunately, the last people to be knowledgeable about the Thyroid Gland may be doctors and Endocrinologists, i.e. also with regard to eating before tests. They are unaware of any clinical symptoms which are dismissed in favour of TSH.

If we take thyroid hormones before a blood test, our results will be skewed. In particular the TSH and doctor will adjust up/down up/down dose unnecessarily so - that's what they've been trained to do (to keep TSH in range - we usually feel best when it's around 1 or lower).

Food also interferes with the uptake of levothyroxine which means we might not get the full benefit of the dose.,

If I take my thyroid hormones a.m. and get a blood test - hormones will be high. If I fast and take them after test, it will be more beneficial for me, as a patient in order to get the best out of the dose I am taking.

[Sophie1304 in reply to shaws]

This is so interesting, I always take my dose first thing in a morning and then often I'll have the blood test about and hour later at the doctors.

But the hormones will change all day won't they, so the blood test is most likely to show good results as its just been taken?

I did see an endocrinologist a couple of years ago and he was very patronising and sent me away after one appointment saying I had depression and nothing else was wrong. So, I'm a bit worried about seeing the rheumotologist for the same reason, but I feel stronger and more knowledgeable to stand my ground.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Sophie1304]

The doctors and/or labs might only do the TSH, maybe T4 but they wont test the Frees which actually tell how much is circulating . If we are on a stable dose and feel well the frees only need testing yearly.

However by fasting/24 hours between dose it allows our TSH to be at its highest as it is naturally highest around 4 or 5 a.m. and drops throughout the day. Read the bottom of this link:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...