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What Causes Severe Fatigue And Fainting In A Diabetic Patient?
Question: I am a 60 year old woman with type 1 diabetes, former cancer patient (Hodgkins lymphoma stage 2 B), two complete hip replacements, gallstone pancreatitis, angiomyolipoma in both kidneys, five leaks in my heart and now severe exhaustion after walking just a few feet. I had a pulmonary function test today. I saw my cardiologist on Tuesday and when I mentioned how exhausted I am from normal activity, he brushed it off. He said my heart is strong, even with the leaks. I am feeling more and more ill by the day as far as being able to walk any length of time. Today I thought I would collapse at the supermarket. What is wrong with me? Is my doctor not listening to my symptoms? I also have a cough every night and find it difficult to breathe.
Brief Answer:
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
You must see a lung specialist ('Pulmonologist') about this immediately.
There can be some hormone related conditions that can cause such symptoms such as thyroid problems.
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)
Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
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
Hormone tests
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
You must see a lung specialist ('Pulmonologist') about this immediately.
There can be some hormone related conditions that can cause such symptoms such as thyroid problems.
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)
Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
12 hour Fasting Lipid profile
Urine albumin to Creatinine Ratio (early sign of diabetes affecting the kidney)
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
Thank you, Dr. Topiwala. I had my thyroid removed in 1985 due to enlargement, multinodular goiter. I have been on thyroid medication for the past thirty-one years. Presently the drug I take is Levothyroxine. The level seems to be okay as I recently had complete blood tests. I don't believe that my recent health issues are related to the thyroid. I will, however, wait to see what the results are from the pulmonary function test.
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see. Well in that case there is no need to do the thyroid auto antibodies test.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
I see. Well in that case there is no need to do the thyroid auto antibodies test.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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