Issue with fatigue... Any suggestions?

Well the only med I take is for my hypertension (thank you, family history).  I take that with my evening set of vitamins since it's known to cause drowsiness.  I'll try to get in another protein shake in the PM and see if that helps any.  Thanks!

Check that med to be sure it doesn't list sleeplessness as a possible side effect.

My prescription med was famous for causing drowsiness but it ALSO caused wakefulness in some people...I just happened to be "some" people.

Liz

Well restlessness is a side effect, but so is fatigue.  I'll try and take it in the AM tomorrow and see if I sleep any better tonight.  At least I can attempt to do this while I'm not working...

Good luck....hopefully it will be history soon after surgery. My dh was on TWO for hypertension...within a month he was off one, the other followed about 2 weeks later. His BP is absolutely normal now.

Liz

I had a similar problem in late 2011. All of my test results were good. My PCP was looking at me like I was nuts. I went to an endocrinologist. Turns out it was my thyroid. The PCP had checked my TSH which was normal. The specialist checked my T-3 and T-4. My T-3 levels were fine but my T-4 levels had tanked. He changed my medication and the fatigue improved. 

Also how are you sleeping?

I just took a look at the labs my PCP did back in October.  While my S-TSH level was in the "normal" range, it's on the low end.  I suspect the same with the results done by my surgeon last month.  I think it may be time to see another specialist because I've always had a problem with fatigue.

As for sleep... it stinks.  I'm trying different things to adjust to a better sleep hygiene and really trying hard to avoid going back to see the sleep specialist.  Not that he was bad or anything like that, but I really want to exhaust all avenues before I go back to him (I really don't want to be put on another med unless absolutely needed).

I have some suggestions for you. Pm me if you want to discuss. 

Hi there!  Just sent you a PM...

Fatigue can be so many things.  First off, a high uric if you dont have gout which you would know is due to dehydration.  So first thing - start increasing your fluids NOW!!!!!!   That will help.  If you cant tell how much you are drinking = get some 16 or 20 ounce bottles of water and make sure you are drinking atleast 5 of them.  You really need to get those fluids in.  You can count protein shakes as fluids bu****er is best and if you are drinking anything with caffeine, that works backwards and 50% of it has to be subtracted.

You are 9 months out and should be getting atleast 100 grams of protein and preferably as much as possible from food.  You can supplement if you want with a protein shake but dont eliminate food for the shake.  You need the nurishment, calories and energy - calories give energy.

The other big thing are your labs and supplements.  When were your last labs done?  You need to always get a copy of them because surgeons and PCP's are great at telling us that everything is perfect when in fact we are at the lowest possible end of the normal range when we really want to be at the top of the range or in some cases we want to be over the top of the range.  This is really important to get copies and then post them on here for us to help you or if you can, you can PM me and I can go over them with you.  This is one are that I can really help people and am always willing to help. Many of these deficiencies can cause severe fatigue including vitamin D, iron, B12,  B1, thyroid, B6, folic acid and several others.

It is essential that you should be taking:

a multi 2 times per day - centrum silver - tablets or chewables are a great choice - make sure they have selenium in them.

 calcium citrate 1500-2000mg per day in 3-4 daily doses no more than 650mg per dose and not within 2-4 hours of any iron or thyroid medication

 B12 - either sublingual or injections - dose depends on your level but minimum of 1000mcg daily or monthly injection. 

B1 - 100mg daily.

Dry D3 - again this depends on your level - almost everyone is vitamin D deficient and should be taking either 50,000 units a couple of times per week or 10,000 -15,000 units per day - you want a D level between 80-90. You can get Dry D3 at vitalady.com from BioTech

  Carbonyl iron with vitamin C - Tender irons from vitalady.com - 60mg each with 400mg of vitamin C - dose depends on your labs - many start on a minimum of 2-3 and can take up to 5 at a time.  Do not take within 2-4 hours of any calcium or thyroid meds

other things depend on your labs

You mentioned your thyroid being at the low end = this I would need to see your results - there are several different thyroid tests and they all mean different things- a TSH  the range is .3 to 3.0 (new range based on the Endocrine society) but not all PCP's use this range = many still use the old ranges.  If your TSH is over a 3.0 you are Hypothyroid - an underactive and that causes fatigue and requires the need for Synthroid.  If your TSH is low - below .3 - is a sign of hyperthyroid or overactive - that is a much rarer condition and requires a visit to an Endocrinologist right away for further testing = hyperthyroid must be treated right away = symptoms rapid heart beat and many other symptoms but the heartbeat is the most prominent. 

Once you get your labs. PM me or if you have any other questions - please ask