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What Causes Fatigue And Shortness Of Breath In A Child?
Question: I for a while been feeling very fatigued n short of breath, especially when doing house chores, climbing stairs, carrying my 2 year old daughter etc .
All bloods have been ok- no decfficiency
Ferritin was 20
Could this be due to lack of exercise ?
All bloods have been ok- no decfficiency
Ferritin was 20
Could this be due to lack of exercise ?
Brief Answer:
3main causes to rule out: anemia, heart or lung problems- tests recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Fatigue and shortness of breath that is related to exercise or physical activity is mostly caused by these 3 causes: heart problems, lung problems and anemia and warrants investigation and proper treatment.
If the blood work up was normal this should have ruled out anemia- still your ferritine level is low which means that your body stores of iron and low and probably you need to get some iron to increase iron stores in your body.
To rule out problems with the heart an ECG and a heart ultrasound are necessarily and after the results of these tests than other tests might be required or not.
Lung function and probably a chest xray might be good to be checked also.
So to conclude i would say:
1. have a heart check with ECG and heart ultrasound done
2. do a chest xray
3. take some oral iron to increase iron stores in your body (I dont thing low iron stores are the cause of your symptoms as long as hemoglobine levels are normal)
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me back if any more clarifications are needed on this issue.
I wish you quick improvement.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
3main causes to rule out: anemia, heart or lung problems- tests recommended
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
Fatigue and shortness of breath that is related to exercise or physical activity is mostly caused by these 3 causes: heart problems, lung problems and anemia and warrants investigation and proper treatment.
If the blood work up was normal this should have ruled out anemia- still your ferritine level is low which means that your body stores of iron and low and probably you need to get some iron to increase iron stores in your body.
To rule out problems with the heart an ECG and a heart ultrasound are necessarily and after the results of these tests than other tests might be required or not.
Lung function and probably a chest xray might be good to be checked also.
So to conclude i would say:
1. have a heart check with ECG and heart ultrasound done
2. do a chest xray
3. take some oral iron to increase iron stores in your body (I dont thing low iron stores are the cause of your symptoms as long as hemoglobine levels are normal)
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please feel free to contact me back if any more clarifications are needed on this issue.
I wish you quick improvement.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Could it be due
Brief Answer:
Please write the questions if more clarification needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You seem to have wanted to ask some more clarifications. Please feel free to write the questions.
if you meant if this is related to lack of exercise- it is true that lack of exercise makes us less able to afford exercises and the more we do exercises the more we tolerate physical stress. This is not the case if we have a heart problem. I would not recommend you to increase exercise without having an ECG and heart Ultrasound as this might put you to risk of heart attack.
Have the heart and lung check first and if these come out normal I would recommend you to start gradually increase the exercises and be more fit.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Please write the questions if more clarification needed
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You seem to have wanted to ask some more clarifications. Please feel free to write the questions.
if you meant if this is related to lack of exercise- it is true that lack of exercise makes us less able to afford exercises and the more we do exercises the more we tolerate physical stress. This is not the case if we have a heart problem. I would not recommend you to increase exercise without having an ECG and heart Ultrasound as this might put you to risk of heart attack.
Have the heart and lung check first and if these come out normal I would recommend you to start gradually increase the exercises and be more fit.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
Ok will get tests done. Is ferritin 20 low then?
Brief Answer:
Yes ferritine 20 is low
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Ferritine 20 is low. should be around 100 to give assurance that iron stores are good in your body.
Please feel free to let me know if anymore questions.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Yes ferritine 20 is low
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
Ferritine 20 is low. should be around 100 to give assurance that iron stores are good in your body.
Please feel free to let me know if anymore questions.
Kind regards
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Remy Koshy
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