Hubby gets breathless

[JanW]

My husband 58 is finding he gets breathless a lot, he's a self employed builder/carpenter. He has low blood pressure always has had. He saw the doctor and had an X-ray which showed no abnormalities up, and has an appointment in three weeks for a lung function test, then in another month to see a cardiologist. In the meanwhile I am so worried about him particularly after the smallest exertion leaves him puffing and panting, he's never been like that before. He has had arthritis for years which had gradually got worse and I'm wondering if that could have anything to do with his breathlessness. Advice from anyone experiencing similar problems would be good.

[Marz]

I would have vitamins and minerals checked. B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. Low Iron can cause breathlessness as oxygen attaches to iron in the red blood cells for transportation around the body. Low Iron = Low Oxygen = breathlessness.

When hubby began to complain of breathlessness whilst walking up the hill to the village - I persuaded him to have a Thyroid check. He has Hashimotos and had VERY low T4 & T3. He was 73 - now 5 years have passed and he is doing well.

[JanW in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marz I've got thyroid problems myself but didn't think it could cause breathlessness. Going to tell him to get blood tests for thyroid - he has had blood tests but bet he didn't get thyroid checked.

[Marz in reply to JanW]

There are over 300 symptoms linked to the thyroid. Check out Signs and Symptoms on thyroiduk.org

I would add B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD testing as everyone seems LOW in range these days and can have a huge impact on health.

What is his diet like ? Is he taking any medication ?

Thyroid hormones are needed in every cell of the body and is often overlooked in men.