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[Kathleen]

Hello ladies.

I wanted to just do an update regarding my quest for some blood tests.

I have done a quick search of the forum but I can't find my previous posts and tbh I am not sure what I have posted anyway lol.

Long story short I asked my GP to investigate my continuing fatigue and episodes of low mood and anxiety etc. It all feels hormonal especially as these feelings come and go but I wondered if I was low in B12 or iron etc.

I had my blood test on Friday and the GP very thoroughly added many other investigations to the list. My results are due in about a week and if anything of interest emerges I will post it on this thread.

Wouldn't it be great if an easily corrected vitamin or mineral deficiency could hugely improve this Meno journey. I am keeping everything crossed lol!

Wishing you all well ladies and take care.

K.

[Dotty]

Hi hope the blood tests show something up. There’s nothing worse than being told that your blood tests show you are very healthy, when you actually feel awful. xx

[Kathleen]

Hello Dotty

Your comment is spot on lol.

Another scenario that I hate is when a doctor says that there may be other reasons for your illness but doesn't suggest any further tests because the ones you have just has are normal.

When I was first diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis a doctor asked me how I felt and I said 'depleted', his response was ' but your Thyroid is okay'. I expected him to suggest further investigations but no, I was sent on my way. I later learned that chronic inflammation was the cause and when my UC was under control I felt much better.

Hopefully I will have something useful to pass on to all you lovely ladies when my results are in.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Stella2]

Hi Kathleen,
I also asked for blood tests and it appears that I have iron deficiency. I was disappointed that they only checked b12, folic acid and iron, on vitamin and mineral side.
I am now taking iron supplement and hopefully I will feel less tired.

[Kathleen]

Hello Stella2.

I was expecting to have B12 and iron tested the first time but they focused on UC and Thyroid as the cause of my fatigue. When these tests came back normal there was no follow-up to investigate others causes. Consequently I asked again and made a few suggestions and fortunately my GP was very helpful.

I hope the iron supplement works for you but if your tiredness persists perhaps contact your GP again and ask for other elements to be tested.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Stella2]

Thank you Kathleen,
I hope you will get your results soon and find out what is causing it. I feel really bad about contacting the GP again as I have done so many times last year since I started HRT and had issues with that. I assumed that the test would be for all vitamins and minerals as I requested, as at that point I also had to have my annual thyroid blood test but unfortunately they haven't tested it all.
It's so difficult at the moment, I know that they are so busy and feel that I don't want to bother them. I try to ask for help when I have a bigger issue such as spotting. But nothing is really resolved. I know I am not the only one...

Many thanks

[Kathleen]

Hello again Stella2

It is frustrating isn't it. My first set of blood tests were about two months ago and although the nurse said that were 'the gold standard ' of tests it turned out that it was the minimum. I was left with many questions and just grumbled about it for a while but then I decided that I really needed more answers so I tried again.

If I were you I would remind them about your thyroid as an annual test is standard and would be easy for them to organise.

Unfortunately we have to be our own health advocates these days which puts a lot of pressure on us as patients which is exhausting. Needs must though.

Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[Stella2]

Thank you Kathleen, it is very exhausting.
Wishing you well and keep us posted regarding your results.

[KaraShannon]

Hi Kathleen

Hope you get an answer this time so you can remedy things. 

I do wonder if my iron levels are low, my gums are quite pale.  I have a lot of fatigue but often get that due to hypothyroidism, even when levels are normal.

[Kathleen]

Hello KaraShannon

Thank you for your comments.

I also have hypothyroidism but my tests show normal levels.  I checked this morning and my results have not been posted so I will know more next week.

The fatigue is very bothersome and even after a decent night's sleep I wake up tired which can't be right.

Years ago my doctor suspected that I was low in iron after checking the inside of my lower eyelid, it was paler than it should've been  and a blood test confirmed anaemia. I was prescribed iron tablets and that rectified the problem.  Perhaps ask your doctor to check for low iron as it is easily treated.

Wishing you well and take.

K.