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What Causes Extreme Fatigue, Brain Fog And Mental Confusion?
Question: My 22 yr old son is a college student and has been experiencing extreme fatigue, brain fog and mental confusion for the past 9 months. These symptoms are beginning to affect his quality of life. Made doctor apt and initial labs showed: TSH Normal (1.34), Low calcium(8.3), Low Vitamin D(27.69), elevated Bilirubin(1.2), elevated Protein(8.5), elevated Phosphorus(4.9). Hep C and B both non-reactive. Physician gave him 4 Vit D tabs and anti-depressant. Calcium level now in normal limits, but he is not feeling any better. Anti-depressant did not agree with him, so he is on no meds. His symptoms resemble mine exactly - TSH within normal limits but hypothyroidism symptoms - I started low dose Synthroid and feel normal again. His father developed Systemic Lupus at age 25 and recently passed away at age 57. I am worried about my son. He has never smoked, does not drink, no vices. Just this debilitating fatigue and mental fogginess. Can you give me ideas on where to go from here?
Brief Answer:
psychological issues.need rehab
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and I understand your concern. Your son is going through a stress full phase. Recent demise of his father has triggered it. except from a slight decline in vitamin D there is no other test deranged. That too ie well taken care of by vitamin D supplements.
Your son needs antidepressants like SSRI as fluoxetines and behavioural therapies and psychotherapy sessions. This phase will pass. It's just a psychological burden. Nothing wrong organically. Just sign up to some psychotherapy sessions and get a good psychologist to take care of your son.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards XXXXXXX
psychological issues.need rehab
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for asking
I read your question and I understand your concern. Your son is going through a stress full phase. Recent demise of his father has triggered it. except from a slight decline in vitamin D there is no other test deranged. That too ie well taken care of by vitamin D supplements.
Your son needs antidepressants like SSRI as fluoxetines and behavioural therapies and psychotherapy sessions. This phase will pass. It's just a psychological burden. Nothing wrong organically. Just sign up to some psychotherapy sessions and get a good psychologist to take care of your son.
I hope it helps. Take good care of yourself and don't forget to close the discussion please.
Regards XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
What would be other possible causes of these symptoms ( besides psychological) that could be considered. Depression and sadness might be the obvious choice, however, I know that often it is not what we would first assume...
What conditions might cause overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, lack of concentration?
What conditions might cause overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, lack of concentration?
Brief Answer:
Other etiologies mentioned but unlikely here
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
Apart from psychological reasons there are thousands of causes for fatigue and other conventional symptoms but they are unlikely in your case. Here are some
Metabolic/endocrine: anemia; hypothyroidism; diabetes; electrolyte abnormalities; kidney disease; liver disease; Cushing's disease
Infectious: infectious mononucleosis; hepatitis; tuberculosis; cytomegalovirus (CMV); HIV infection; influenza (flu); malaria and many other infectious diseases
Cardiac (heart) and Pulmonary (lungs): congestive heart failure; coronary artery disease; valvular heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); asthma; arrhythmias; pneumonia
Medications: antidepressants; anti-anxiety medications; sedative medications; medication and drug withdrawal; antihistamines; steroids; some blood pressure medications
Mental Health (psychiatric): depression; anxiety; drug abuse; alcohol abuse; eating disorders (for example; bulimia; anorexia); grief and bereavement
Sleep Problems: sleep apnea; reflux esophagitis; insomnia; narcolepsy; work shift work or work shift changes; pregnancy; extra night hours at "work"
Other: cancer; rheumatology illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue syndrome; normal muscle exertion; obesity; chemotherapy and radiation therapy
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Other etiologies mentioned but unlikely here
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for getting back to me
Apart from psychological reasons there are thousands of causes for fatigue and other conventional symptoms but they are unlikely in your case. Here are some
Metabolic/endocrine: anemia; hypothyroidism; diabetes; electrolyte abnormalities; kidney disease; liver disease; Cushing's disease
Infectious: infectious mononucleosis; hepatitis; tuberculosis; cytomegalovirus (CMV); HIV infection; influenza (flu); malaria and many other infectious diseases
Cardiac (heart) and Pulmonary (lungs): congestive heart failure; coronary artery disease; valvular heart disease; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); asthma; arrhythmias; pneumonia
Medications: antidepressants; anti-anxiety medications; sedative medications; medication and drug withdrawal; antihistamines; steroids; some blood pressure medications
Mental Health (psychiatric): depression; anxiety; drug abuse; alcohol abuse; eating disorders (for example; bulimia; anorexia); grief and bereavement
Sleep Problems: sleep apnea; reflux esophagitis; insomnia; narcolepsy; work shift work or work shift changes; pregnancy; extra night hours at "work"
Other: cancer; rheumatology illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue syndrome; normal muscle exertion; obesity; chemotherapy and radiation therapy
I hope it helps.
Take care
Khan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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