I did post a few months ago so apologies for the repeat. I just want a little advice.
I have had an intermittent puffy face for at least a year now, this is the month I realised it was puffing up last year. Since April it never goes fully down and is getting worse. It's most prominent around my lips and the front of my cheeks (also my forehead just above my eyebrows looks a bit puffy). My lips actually feel like they are sticking out. My jawline is rounder and my cheek bone line that I loved has now pretty much gone. I have terrible dark circles.
I've also had thinning hair for just over a year (that I know of) and it is not stopping! I was initially told Telogen Effluvium but it's getting worse, my hairline is receding all over, including the nape of my neck. It feels shockingly thin in comparison to earlier this year.
I have pretty much zero libido and I also keep overheating. I guess that could just be hormones (I've just turned 30), but I can't even walk 5 minutes on a very cold day without burning up and I still can't sleep with my 7.5 tog duvet as I wake up boiling. Conversely, if I'm not moving and it's cold I always seem to be affected by the cold more than others.
I first thought it could be my thyroid as I typed "Puffy face, thinning hair, loss of libido" into Google and many links to thyroid sites etc came up and I also have relatives with hypothyroidism. I had my TSH checked and it was 1.88 so definitely within range.
Is there anything else these things could point to? I am sick to death of seeing my brush covered in hair when I used to only get 2 or 3 hairs each time I brushed it. My face always feels bloated. My lip area feels really uncomfortable, especially when my mouth is actually closed.
I can't yet afford to pay for private tests, but when I get a job I will definitely get some as I know something isn't right. I have low normal ferritin (20u/g) and my GP did say it's pretty common in menstruating women. I have quite light periods though so not sure why mine would be that low. I've been taking Iron plus Vitamin C for around 5 weeks now though to see if that will help me.
Sorry for the extremely long post but I'm going out of my mind.
Have you had blood tests to check iron before supplementing.
Have you had any Antibodies blood tests?
Only anti nuclear antibodies which came back positive.
So what was the diagnosis?
Are you on any medication?
Or
Have you been told that you have an Autoimmune Disease?
Any further testing being done.
Have you been referred to a Rheumatologist or an Endocrinologist or any Medical Consultant?
Had any scans?
Yes I've been referred to a rheumatologist but my GP doesnt actually think anything is wrong with me and said it's only because I'm adamant there is. No medication or anything. No diagnosis as of yet as I still don't have a date for my rheumatologist appointment as my original one was cancelled.
Positive anti nuclear Antibodies can indicate an Autoimmune Disease. Try a Google search.
Can also be caused by certain medications but you are not on any ?
I would contact the hospital First Appointments department and ask when you will be seen. Tell them you have symptoms that are causing concern.
Or
see GP (preferably when symptoms present & obvious) and ask him/her to chase up referal.
I've Googled it loads but can't seem to find any autoimmune stuff that could cause these things. My specific antibody result is apparently present in 3% of the healthy population too. My GP doesn't seem to believe my hair is thinning. He did say my scalp was a bit red but that's it. It is without a doubt thinning though and quite significantly.
I've rang them and they said the rheumatologist is fully booked for the next 8 weeks and has no further appointment dates.
The ANA test may be positive with several autoimmune disorders. For instance, people with the autoimmune disorder systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are almost always positive for ANA, but the percentage of people with other autoimmune disorders who have positive ANA results varies. Also, a significant number of patients with a variety of other types of disorders, and as with thyroid antibodies, even some healthy people may be positive for ANA, especially at low levels. So it's good you are seeing a rheumatologist as a start point. The problem is that all your symptoms could be indicative of say, hypothyroidism, but equally, of other disorders, and without a full thyroid panel rather than just a TSH test, it's difficult to get the full thyroid picture. I fully empathise with the problem of having to fund private blood tests - on Monday I told my Dr that my hair wasn't long because I like it that way, but because I can't fund my own T3 and private blood tests, as well as hair cuts, so the hair cuts have had to go .... I doubt it hit home though. Regarding your swollen face, if you google something such as hypothyroid moon face, you should find some photos to compare with.
I can imagine how awful that must be. It's not nice when money is tight but even worse when it's tight due paying for things you shouldn't have to fork out for.
I do appear to have a slim face, but it can vary from day to day. I Have a photograph on my phone from October one morning and my face looks absolutely massive. I'm 8 stone 10 and slim. I can't stop taking pictures of myself because it's so alien to me. Although with it being intermittent, I do now wonder if it could be a food allergy. Wonder if those can cause thinning hair and tiredness too as I quite often need a nap between 1 and 2pm.
This is meant to say similar. My face hasn't been slim since April.