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What Causes Dizziness, Excessive Sleeping And Difficulty In Losing Weight?

Posted on Fri, 1 Jul 2016

Question: Hello-
I am experiencing a combination of symptoms including: dizziness, excessive sleeping, changes in temperature, weight gain/difficulty losing weight, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, inability to concentrate, deterioration of gums. Some may or may not be related and most of these are afecting everyday life. I Am 47 and medications include buprohin HCL, paraxetine, saxenda. Are there any suggestions?

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hormone tests

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your bothersome symptoms.

There can be various reasons for them. A thorough check is required to identify possible causes such as an under-active thyroid and diabetes for example.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:

CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)

None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (12 hours later)

These tests have been done, along with a sleep study and neurological exams. I am scheduled for allergy testing next. After researching the Paroxetine(sp) further, I am questioning the possibility of serotonin syndrome. Are you familiar or ever experienced it with a patient? I believe I may also be in a state of Bi-polar depression as a result of the last year's medical frustrations. The excessive sleeping has been over the past few months, accompanied by lack of interest and inability to concentrate. If this is the case, would taking the Paroxetine be fruitless at this point?I apologize...my sugar is normal range, my blood work and thyroid are also normal. Vitamin D was non-existent a several years ago, but has been adjusted since. I had a partial hysterectomy in 2010 leaving my ovaries in tact.

Just for a brief history
Thank you for your time and opinion.

Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Serotonin syndrome is something that requires an in-person examination to diagnose.

Please speak with the doctor who prescribed paroxetine to you whether it would be worth continuing it.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar