I would appreciate some advice about what to do next. I have a diagnosis of lupus and am taking methotrexate prescribed by my rheumatologist. I am pretty certain that I have hypothyroidism. I feel so very tired all of the time, so cold, my muscles and joints are painful, I have a perpetually sore mouth with ulcers and feel that all of my systems are on a go slow. I have mild constipation, very dry skin and hair and my hair is extremely short as it now falls out before it gets a chance to grow to any length. I do not have bald spots, but my hair looks as though I have randomly hacked at it.
My metabolism is not behaving at all. Over the past 2 years I inexplicably gained almost four stone. I managed to lose two stone during the past year by exercising daily and maintaining an ultra sensible diet i.e. no alcohol, very little junk food, or sweet food, however I still weight two stones more than I should and cannot seem to lose any more. I used to run daily and have resumed running during the past year, however I find that when I try to jog on the treadmill I just can't seem to keep going. The best way of explaining it is this. If I were battery operated, my battery would be in need of changing. I just cannot get that endorphin rush that keeps you going when you exercise. The same thing happens when I do other exercise.
I do have a tendency towards iron deficiency and have had two iron infusions, most recently in May this year. My Gastroenterologist cannot find any particular source of bleeding and thinks I have either unexplained bleed, or anaemia of chronic illness.
My bloods are all within normal ranges right now.
TSH - 2.44
T4 - 13.1
Haemoglobin - 140
Ferritin 500 - due to iron infusion during summer
Transferrin - 2.20
Iron - 18
Transferrin saturation - 33
CRP - Less than 1
ESR - 2
B12 - 312
Folate 18.6
Serum cortisol - 374
Vitamin D - 100
Despite all of the normal results, I feel so exhausted all of the time. My rheumatologist and gastroenterologist think that this fatigue is lupus related, as most people with lupus experience chronic fatigue.
I cannot help feeling that my thyroid is playing up. I say this because of the difficulty losing weight, mild constipation and other symptoms described above.
Any thoughts anyone?
Written by
Ophelia1
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Can you add test ranges to your results please? They vary from lab to lab and hard to tell without them. Also, there is no FT3 reult, NHS rarely tests this, hence many of us paying privately to get what we need.
Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested? That would also give a clue.
These are some of the ranges, but I can confirm that my results tend to fall in the middle of all ranges used, so they seem normal. I did have antibodies tested and the results were negative, but that was a couple of years ago.
Just googled Methotrexate and it can cause tiredness and fatigue as well as hair loss. Also doctors can prescribe folic acid which mitigates some of the effects of the drug, are you taking that? It could be thyroid related as autoimmune conditions often go together, but it could also be the Lupus or the Methotrexate.
I don't really think it's the methotrexate as I stopped taking it some time ago (due to lack of effect) and I'm still having the same symptoms. I was taking the folic acid when i was taking the methotrexate but I've stopped taking that too, though I do take vitamin B complex soluble twice weekly together with other supplements.
My bloods were taken at 8am before eating. The supplements I am taking are selenium, kelp, zinc, fish oil capsules, L Lysine and stexerol vitamin D 1000 units per day, plus soluble vitamin c and B complex on Saturday and Sundays.
Click on "Read the list of available tests" and on page 3 of the pdf you'll see
Urine Iodine Test:
Specimen requirements: Urine
Cost: £71.00
Order Code: END25
Turnaround time: 5 - 10 days
Iodine is an essential trace element, vital for healthy thyroid function. Adequate levels are required to enable the production of T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, whilst also being required in other areas of health.
Deficiencies can lead to impaired heat and energy production, mental function and slow metabolism. Urine iodine is one of the best measures of iodine status. This test is not performed as a loading test, but can be used to establish existing levels or to monitor iodine supplementation.
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
In week before blood test, when you stop vitamin B complex, you might want to consider taking a separate methyl folate supplement and continue separate B12
With serum B12 result below 500, (Or active B12 below 70) recommended to be taking a B12 supplement as well as a B Complex (to balance all the B vitamins) initially for first 2-4 months.
once your serum B12 is over 500 (or Active B12 level has reached 70), stop the B12 and just carry on with the B Complex.
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
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