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What Causes Dizziness, Lack Of Appetite And Joint Pain?
Question: Hi, I have Celiac, Addison's (primary adrenal failure specifically), and Hypothyroidism.
I recently ate food contaminated with gluten and have been sick for 2 days. The first day I suffered from dizziness, muscle weakness, a lack of appetite and minor muscle/joint pain. Typical reactions for being glutened.
The second day (today) I've been having stomach flu like symptoms accompanied with a stiff neck along with severe motion sickness.
I recently ate food contaminated with gluten and have been sick for 2 days. The first day I suffered from dizziness, muscle weakness, a lack of appetite and minor muscle/joint pain. Typical reactions for being glutened.
The second day (today) I've been having stomach flu like symptoms accompanied with a stiff neck along with severe motion sickness.
Brief Answer:
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
It would be relevant to ensure your other two hormones are adequately replaced. Ask your doctor about how you should go about increasing your 'steroid' doses. We refer to this as stress cover, meaning during illnesses like the one you are experiencing at the moment, we generally advise patients with Addison's disease to double or even treble the doses of the steroid they are taking for a few days till the illness lasts. So call your doctors office and ask for guidance.
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)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
Serum Calcium
Iron studies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
It would be relevant to ensure your other two hormones are adequately replaced. Ask your doctor about how you should go about increasing your 'steroid' doses. We refer to this as stress cover, meaning during illnesses like the one you are experiencing at the moment, we generally advise patients with Addison's disease to double or even treble the doses of the steroid they are taking for a few days till the illness lasts. So call your doctors office and ask for guidance.
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)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
Serum Calcium
Iron studies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
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
Answered by
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