Help - low energy all the time despite normal bloodwork

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brandy
King Penguin
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Post by brandy »

Hi Marcia,

I would encourage you to keep seeking answers to your fatigue. Mine kept getting worse and worse last year despite the fact that I got off of Entocort in January 2012 and GI wise I was getting better. Part of my situation was low iron which Doc in Feb 2012 pronounced "normal." 2nd Doc in November 2012 took a look at same scores in November and said they were seriously low. I'm also now on bioidenticals. My testosterone, progesterone, and DHEA were almost non existent. I learned even women are supposed to have some testosterone. I've been working on things since November and gradually getting a little better. I'm presently reading Adrenal Fatigue the 21st Century Stress Syndrome.

Best wishes, Brandy
mzh
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Post by mzh »

Holy cow, one has to wonder how one doctor says iron is OK and another one says the exact opposite.

Like you I have no detectable DHEA (salivary), pretty much the same for cortisol. I had a TIBC last year; it was normal, of course. Iron came out above normal during another CBC and chemistry tests when I was a very bad MC flare.

You're right; I need an independent lab AND a doctor who knows what to do with the results. My PCP asked an endocrinologist and a gynecologist about the results, one of whom didn't know what to think about DHEA and the other one who said blood test results are more accurate. I messed up and should have pursued DHEA and hormone blood work. I did get an 8AM cortisol; it was only 9 (7 is bottom normal in that lab) so I've been declared normal. Phooey; I don't feel normal.

I will say that when I get a full night's sleep - which is rare as a hens' tooth - I feel great the next day. When I started on Lexapro (generic) early this month, I sleep like a log the first two nights and felt human the next day; the third night on it was back to broken sleep. What a disappointment. Good sleep will cure a lot of ills. Sleeping pills leave me befuddled the next day.
Also have sleep apnea
Thumbs
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Post by Thumbs »

Hi -
I had my Saliva Cortisol (flat line) tested and my Blood levels tested a bit back and it was a 7 at 10am I believe.
The ND that I was seeing at that time had me use Isocort in the morning and afternoon. I think it helped a bit with the fatigue but I don't have any idea if it interacts with CC as that was given to me a few months before the symptoms of the CC started. Maybe Tex might now if this has any negative history.
mzh
Rockhopper Penguin
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Post by mzh »

I've been thinking about trying the Isocort too but it's totally my own idea. I hope I can find a doctor around here who knows about things like this. We don't have NDs in SC. Sigh.
Also have sleep apnea
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