Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Not sure where to go from here..

Hi all, I have been having some health struggles for a few years now that in the last 2 months have really gotten bad. Back in September I had a positive ANA (1:80, speckled) when to the rhumatologist who said it was a false positive, or not positive enough. I have been struggling with chronic pain for several years ranging from a couple joints to entire body aches, anxiety/depression, very heavy periods, varying appetite and inability to lose weight (no matter how hard/much I work out or eat right). Also have a lot of GI issues (Mainly diarrhea). SED rate was normal, TSH was normal. My newer symptom is really low body temp with nasty chills. The first time I had the bad chills (hands and feet felt ice cold, so did my nose) I took my temp and it was 94.8 thought my thermometer was broken so hecked it with another thermometer and it read 95.1. It took a very hot shower, many blankets, sweats and a heating pad before I finally felt warm again and got my temp back up to 97.4. This has happened twice more. The nurse call line said I should be in a coma, so went to see another doctor - he put me on an antianxiety med and I had a bad allergic reaction to it. Is it too soon to have my thyroid rechecked? I am getting more miserable by the day. I know something is wrong but it seems like no doctor is really trying to figure out what my problems are. I also had a vitamin D test done and it was almost zero, started a high dose supplement 3 weeks ago, no help so far. Iron levels were normal and CBC was normal. Any thoughts/suggestions would be most appriciated.
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you both. I work full time as a vet tech and know a lot of med terms and tests so I am a little concerned about coming off as a hypochondriac to the doctor. The cold spells are coming more frequently and the fatigue is getting worse. I did have some kind of test done several years ago (it was a saliva test) and the result was my adrenal gland function was low so I need to bring that up as well. I am taking 50,000 units D3 once weekly for 6 weeks then going to 10,000 units daily after that. I will give my doctor a call tomorrow about further testing. Thank you both again for the advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, and welcome to the forum. Red_ Star covered a lot of good info. I think another doc is a good idea. I am not sure if an Endo or an immunologist is the way to go. Maybe both? The best doc. in my opinion is one who works with you as a team, and with other docs as a team also.

Someone else may also have suggestions regarding where to go. The most important thing is not to give up. You know something is wrong. Keep saying that to docs. Try a spiral notebook that includes symptoms, duration,what you tried, what worked what didn't ect. Take this to the doc. appts. include questions, current meds. and copies of your latest blood work for the new doc. When setting up the appt. tell the office staff that you need extra time as you have multiple symptoms and lots of questions.

I can say that it takes time for the D3 to build up in your body and 3 weeks isn't enough to get you up to the 50-70ml level that is considered "optimal" How much D3 are you taking? Are you taking a gel cap or tabs?

I take 10,000 IU a day and my last D3 level was 57. You also need some magnesium for the D3 to absorb. Red_Star had more info on magnesium in other posts. As we approach summer add in some sunbathing without sunscreen. I go out for 10 min in shorts and top with a hat to avoid sun on my face. You can do this for 1-2 times a week increasing as needed while avoiding sunburn.

Lots of info on vitamin D3 at www.vitamindcouncil.org   Costco, walmart, walgreen etc. have the D3 and magnesium for cheap.  Costco also has something called VSL#3 which is a super probiotic which helps the GI tract. It needs to be in the refrigerator so ask in the pharmacy for it. It is over the counter.
Hope some of the ideas people suggest are helpful and that you feel better soon.

Elbamom

Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
I've been in the 95F (35C) range with hypothyroidism but my symptoms did not include diarrhea. I have diarrhea when i have hyperthyroid flare ups (i have Hashimoto's thyroiditis) but my temperature goes up as well.

Medscape lists the following possible causes of hypothermia:


"* Decreased heat production:

Several etiologies related to endocrine derangements may cause decreased heat production. These include hypopituitarism, hypoadrenalism, and hypothyroidism. Consider all these conditions in patients presenting with unexplained hypothermia who fail to rewarm with standard therapy.

Other causes include severe malnutrition or hypoglycemia and neuromuscular inefficiencies seen in the extremes of age.

* Increased heat loss:

This category includes accidental hypothermia due to both immersion etiologies and nonimmersion etiologies and is the most common form of hypothermia encountered in the emergency department.

Patients may present with induced vasodilatation from pharmacologic or toxicologic agents.

Erythrodermas, such as burns or psoriasis, that decrease the body's ability to preserve heat, or iatrogenic etiologies, such as cold infusions, overenthusiastic treatment of heatstroke, or emergency deliveries, may cause hypothermia due to increased heat loss.

* Impaired thermoregulation:

A variety of causes may be associated with impaired thermoregulation, but, generally, it is associated with failure of the hypothalamus to regulate core body temperature.

This may occur with CNS trauma, strokes, toxicologic and metabolic derangements, intracranial bleeding, Parkinson disease, CNS tumors, Wernicke disease, and multiple sclerosis.

*Other causes:

Miscellaneous causes include sepsis, multiple trauma, pancreatitis, prolonged cardiac arrest, and uremia.

Hypothermia may be related to drug administration; such medications include beta-blockers, clonidine, meperidine, neuroleptics, and general anesthetic agents. Ethanol, phenothiazines, and sedative-hypnotics also reduce the body’s ability to respond to low ambient temperatures."
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Autoimmune Disorders Community

Top Autoimmune Diseases Answerers
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.