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Suggest Remedy For Extreme Fatigue
Question: I have had symptoms of extreme fatigue. I had a hysterectomy a few years ago and seemed to do well with estrogen therapy. When I turned 50 my primary care asked me to go off of estrogen so I did. My primary care kept checking my thyroid and said it was fine. On estrogen it was 1.09, off it my last one was 2.54. I went to join a weight loss program called Ideal Protein so I have been off carbs for almost a year as I started Adkins before that. I have lost a total of 60 pounds but still need to lose another 35. The Ideal Protein doctor put me on 2.5 grains of Thyroid medication telling me my Thyroid should be down around 1. She felt with the thyroid medication and the diet I would begin to feel better. After 6 months I still keep feeling the fatigue. She recently told me I should get back on hormone therapy so I went to my GYN who agreed to put me back on low dose estrogen for a few month.....I am only taking .5 mg. A few weeks ago I started getting dizzy so I stopped taking the estrogen and then about a week ago I stopped the Thyroid medication because I just was not sure where the dizziness is coming from. My dizziness is less but I am back to being fatigued even worse than with the Thyroid medication. I guess what I am concerned about is....A. is the weight loss doctor just giving me thyroid medication to lose weight and make their plan successful? She says that the hormone specialist say your Thyroid should be down to 1. I am also concerned about going back on estrogen if I don't really need it. Both medications can cause clotting so I really don't want to be a pill junkie if there is a healthier way to live. When my GYN asked me about my sleep habits I told her they were fine but then I really got to thinking about it later and I do wake often in the night. On two occasions I woke gasping for breath and I think this was due to sleeping on my back......I have had a frozen shoulder for at least 6 months and they had me sleeping on my back so I got into that habit but I think that on my back I get sleep apnea though I have not been treated for it. I have been paying more attention to my sleep and I really want to try to get better without taking a lot of drugs. I am very sensitive to things and even when I had my hysterectomy only took Ibuprofen and tylenol for pain. I just want to know how to get rid of the fatigue and feel better. I do have a history of depression but could not take medication for it because it gives me panic attacks. I prefer a natural approach rather than a lot of prescribed medications. I take vitamins, and have recently started taking vitamin C and D as I read they can help the thyroid. I really want to beat this fatigue and get back to losing the rest of the weight and hopefully not have to take a lot of prescribed drugs to do this.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your symptoms.
I am glad to learn that you prefer the natural approach and avoid unnecessary medications.
So if you do not have severe menopausal symptoms, then estrogen is not required in general. However, you need to have a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy) with your Gynecologist.
Regarding the thyroid, there is some merit in the argument that TSH ought to be closer to 1, but this is not the full story. Many individuals with normal thyroid function have TSH between 0.4 to 4.2, and many experts consider 2.5 or 3.5 as the upper limit of normal.
So either way your TSH is fine without medication.
I see you are on Vitamin supplements. It would be a good idea to check the
Serum 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels
along with
CBC
CMP
HbA1c
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your symptoms.
I am glad to learn that you prefer the natural approach and avoid unnecessary medications.
So if you do not have severe menopausal symptoms, then estrogen is not required in general. However, you need to have a thorough discussion of the pros and cons of MHT (Menopausal Hormone Therapy) with your Gynecologist.
Regarding the thyroid, there is some merit in the argument that TSH ought to be closer to 1, but this is not the full story. Many individuals with normal thyroid function have TSH between 0.4 to 4.2, and many experts consider 2.5 or 3.5 as the upper limit of normal.
So either way your TSH is fine without medication.
I see you are on Vitamin supplements. It would be a good idea to check the
Serum 25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels
along with
CBC
CMP
HbA1c
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The fatigue is my worse symptom. It makes me not want to do anything and I have a lot to do. Is there anything natural I could take or eat that would help me get some energy.....non carb as I am trying to stay low carb for life. I can't use caffeine as I have panic attacks and caffeine makes it worse so I only have one cup in the morning. Just looking for a way to get some energy back.
in regards to lab testing, about 6 months ago my doctor did do some lab tests and said that everything was fine. Before I went low carb they said my blood sugar was elevated but not diabetes. After my last blood draw they said "everything is fine" so supposedly I am healthy. They have checked thyroid and everything and say I am healthy, yet some days I can hardly get up and do anything. I am exhausted when I wake.
in regards to lab testing, about 6 months ago my doctor did do some lab tests and said that everything was fine. Before I went low carb they said my blood sugar was elevated but not diabetes. After my last blood draw they said "everything is fine" so supposedly I am healthy. They have checked thyroid and everything and say I am healthy, yet some days I can hardly get up and do anything. I am exhausted when I wake.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying.
Low carb diets have not been shown to be more effective in the long term compared to a balanced diet. I suggest you reconsider this diet option.
Yes there is an increasing body of scientific evidence suggesting that replacement of fat with carbs over the last few decades in our diets has led to increased obesity and diabetes. But even then a fair balance of the macronutrients is deemed best i.e. carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Extreme forms of diet such as low carb or low fat can potentially lead to fatigue and low energy.
Consider getting tested for adrenal insufficiency by doing a test called 8 am Serum Cortisol
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I follow what you are saying.
Low carb diets have not been shown to be more effective in the long term compared to a balanced diet. I suggest you reconsider this diet option.
Yes there is an increasing body of scientific evidence suggesting that replacement of fat with carbs over the last few decades in our diets has led to increased obesity and diabetes. But even then a fair balance of the macronutrients is deemed best i.e. carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Extreme forms of diet such as low carb or low fat can potentially lead to fatigue and low energy.
Consider getting tested for adrenal insufficiency by doing a test called 8 am Serum Cortisol
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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