
What Causes Stiffness In Body In The Morning?

Question: Hi. I am getting more and more stiff and sluggish in the mornings, and wonder if my symptoms point to a thyroid condition. I am 56 and try to be active and eat healthily, but constipation wears me down and I take many different remedies, such as senna. Do you think the senna has caused my current sluggishness. Would it be better for my bowel if I used something like Movicol?
I tend to drink coffee to jump start the system, but its not working as well anymore and I think probably causes cortisol levels to jump up and down.
As for stiffness, I do take fish oil and a plant based algae derivative. I use heart healthy oils like olive in cooking. And I do some weight-bearing exercise, low impact cardio and walking
I have very dry skin and brittle nails, and my hair is thinning. I dont know if this is thyroid related or some other condition. My most recent blood tests indicated thyroid function was normal. It also showed blood glucose levels normal. The main abnormalities are low sodium levels and the liver albumin level and total liver protein is low with LD high.
Any suggestions as to my condition would be appreciated. Regards XXXXXXX
I tend to drink coffee to jump start the system, but its not working as well anymore and I think probably causes cortisol levels to jump up and down.
As for stiffness, I do take fish oil and a plant based algae derivative. I use heart healthy oils like olive in cooking. And I do some weight-bearing exercise, low impact cardio and walking
I have very dry skin and brittle nails, and my hair is thinning. I dont know if this is thyroid related or some other condition. My most recent blood tests indicated thyroid function was normal. It also showed blood glucose levels normal. The main abnormalities are low sodium levels and the liver albumin level and total liver protein is low with LD high.
Any suggestions as to my condition would be appreciated. Regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Sodium
Detailed Answer:
I would strongly recommend a thorough evaluation of the low sodium and albumin / protein.
Low sodium levels in the blood can give rise to a variety of symptoms.
It is very important to investigate the cause of the low sodium. This often includes a work up like
Haemogram
Serum creatinine
Lipid profile
SGOT
SGPT
Bilirubin
Calcium
Alkaline phosphatase
Serum osmolality
Urine osmolality
Urine sodium
Electrolytes
8 am cortisol
It is vital that the urine sample is collected at the same time as the blood sample to allow correct scientific interpretation of the tests.
I have excluded thyroid and albumin/proteins because you say you have already had them done
Sodium
Detailed Answer:
I would strongly recommend a thorough evaluation of the low sodium and albumin / protein.
Low sodium levels in the blood can give rise to a variety of symptoms.
It is very important to investigate the cause of the low sodium. This often includes a work up like
Haemogram
Serum creatinine
Lipid profile
SGOT
SGPT
Bilirubin
Calcium
Alkaline phosphatase
Serum osmolality
Urine osmolality
Urine sodium
Electrolytes
8 am cortisol
It is vital that the urine sample is collected at the same time as the blood sample to allow correct scientific interpretation of the tests.
I have excluded thyroid and albumin/proteins because you say you have already had them done
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

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