So cold, slow pulse, low bp, GP says I'm fine

[AnnieF]

I am feeling colder than I ever have this autumn. I am fit it is true, I've always taken a fair amount of exercise but over the last year my pulse has dropped from around 60 bpm to 50. I've always had low blood pressure 120/90 or so I think and my usual temperature is around 36C, sometimes drops to 35C. I've been shaking with the cold and finding it hard to warm up.

I have an oximeter and my oxygen saturation is usually above 95% though it has dropped below that and set the alarm off. I went to my GP who said I was obviously very fit and lucky because I would live a long time with a pulse rate that low! When pushed she tested my thyroid and did a FBC and said everything was fine.Do I believe her, I feel as though I am turning to stone and I hate being so cold.

I am 69, weigh 9 and a half stone, I eat well as a vegetarian. I've always been prone to low blood sugar attacks but this has got much worse and I had a couple of absolute energy crashes out on my bike this autumn and I have been feeling very tired.

Any observations hugely welcome. 

[Zazbag]

What are your blood test results, including the reference ranges?

[jimh111]

Have you been checked for anaemia?

[Tugun]

Hi,

You sound a bit like me with the cold and the sugar - although you are definitely healthier and do more exercise.

I still haven't worked out why I can't hold my temperature. I have been tested a few times for thyroid and it has always been fine.

Have you had your B12 and D etc tested? Also include A.

Sorry I can't help but I wish you a warm and healthy Summer. There may be some alternative medicine doctors who have some ideas.

120 / 90 isn't low. Although they also take into account your age (I'm around your age so I'm not having a dig) . Some doctors think it's okay to be a bit higher if we are older. I don't really subscribe to that thought though. 120 is perfect although some are now looking at 115 as in the perfect sphere. 90 is getting towards the high side.

"Your blood pressure varies from day to day, even moment to moment. Most doctors would say that a healthy blood pressure is higher than 90 (systolic)/60 (diastolic) mm Hg but lower than about 140/90."(Health Direct - Free Australian Health Advice.)

Personally I would find with "higher than 90 (systolic) /60 (diastolic) mmHg" that the 90 (systolic) would be a bit on the low side.

Another:- (Shows that they have different ideas) CDC Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults (2017 Guideline)1

Normal systolic: less than 120 mm Hg / diastolic: less than 80 mm Hg

At Risk (prehypertension) systolic: 120–139 mm Hg / diastolic: 80–89 mm Hg

Elevated systolic: 120–129 mm Hg / diastolic: less than 80 mm Hg

High Blood Pressure (hypertension) systolic: 140 mm Hg or higher / diastolic: 90 mm Hg or higher

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Request testing of vitamin D, B12, folate, full iron panel test for anaemia including ferritin

Low B12/iron/ferritin frequently low in vegetarian diet

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Test before starting any supplements

[posthinking01]

Hi there, sorry you are suffering at the moment. As someone who has adrenal insufficiency I could see perhaps your adrenals are under strain - this will cause low cortisol levels - sugar imbalances etc. but looks like something else is going on in combination with that - so why is the question that needs asking.

Even though the Dr has checked your iron levels has she checked your iron storage levels - i.e. Ferritin - this is the amount of iron that is stored for emergency use by the body and often if that is being used up then it means the main bank of iron has already been used. Blood tests in my opinion do not show the real picture. If you take Iron it helps to take vitamin C (which also helps the adrenal glands to garner support) and this helps with the uptake of the iron you are taking. Be careful though with iron do not take too high a dose as it stores in the liver and kidneys.

Anaemia is a huge stressor on the body as your body is not getting the oxygen it needs to operate optimally. That's why one of its most obvious symptoms is fatigue and breathlessness. Not only is the lack of oxygen making you tired, but it also can trigger adrenal fatigue and NEM dysregulation. Constant chills and fatigue may also mean you are low on iron.

Anaemia can affect cortisol levels. Low iron affects T4 synthesis, iodination with tyrosine thyroglobulin and iodine. It affects T4 to T3 conversion with the iodination process and also affects cortisol in that conversion process. Also, iron is really important for thyroid hormone recycling as well –so very important.

If you are a vegetarian - are you keeping an eye on your B12 levels as deficiency can cause many problems some quite serious if left unattended.

I would not be happy with a Dr. that ignores your symptoms without going further - I don't know if you take supplements at all but if you could let us know which ones and I personally would hold back on the strenuous exercise at the moment as this will cause the adrenal glands to be under even more pressure.

Hope this helps.

[Miffie]

I tend to agree with the GP re the pulse and blood pressure. I had years of low BP and it was more like 80/60 to raise concerns.

However it looks as if you hypoglycaemic problems are not being properly investigated. How low does it go? How do you get back on track? I guess you were lucky to not be alone when you had those crashes but can you b3 sure it will always be that way.

Has the GP even done a basic HbA1c? If not you need to chase

Good luck