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Weight gain, menstrual problems etc
Hi Dr, I'm 20 years old and over the past two years I have been experiencing symptoms which have been worrying me more and more in recent times.
Weight gain is what I am primarily concerned with. I never had any problems with weight until 2 years ago when the weight gradually began to build up and just has not stopped since. I am now overweight at about 160-170 pounds at 5'5. (A worrying amount of this weight has gone to my breasts which have always been big for my size but are now abnormally large IMO, I know this is probably not relevant but I don't want to leave anything out. Also I often get stabbing/throbbing pains in my breasts) Prior to the weight gain, I did not have the healthiest eating habits, At times, I ate more junk food than I should have, not enough fruit etc. However, I have really been making a concentrated effort over the past year and a half to eat a lot healthier and to exercise and still the weight keeps coming. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong...it's extremely frustrating.
Next, is my menstrual cycle which has never been regular, (between 5-7 weeks apart sometimes longer). Again, up to about two years ago, when it did come I knew it would not last more than a week, although I did suffer with abdominal cramps. Now, the flow is entirely unpredictable, there is constant clotting, it can last weeks (although not heavy for the most part). Often, there seems to be a couple of days of brown discharge, then heavy bleeding for 2-3 days and then light bleeding for an unlimited amount of time, 3 weeks being the longest so far. Sometimes, there is no bleeding for a couple of days and then the heavy bleeding starts. Painful abdominal cramps accompany the heavy bleeding.
I have a wide array of other symptoms, I realize that many of them may be unrelated but I would like to refer to them just in case. First, I must state that I went for a thyroid and nutritional blood test six months ago which showed that I was anemic but my thyroid was apparently normal.
Fatigue is one of my symptoms, although this has improved with iron supplements, it is still there.
Hair growth on the neck and chin.
Occasional blurred vision.
Tic in corner of eyelid (occasonal)
Acne which developed about 2 years ago but has cleared with medication which I am now off.
Slight thinning of hair
Difficulty concentrating
Painful Intercourse
Yeast infection
Increased bowel movements
I know that not all of these symptoms are related and may be nothing but I feel my Dr is not listening to me since the thyroid test came back negative, although she said beforehand that she thought my thyroid looked swollen. I am worried about these symptoms and I know that no one can give me a concrete diagnosis online but what I really want to know is do I have cause to pursue a second opinion? I am frustrated already and I don't want to switch doctors just to be told that I'm making a big deal about nothing.
Thank you so much Dr or to anyone that replies.
Holly
Weight gain is what I am primarily concerned with. I never had any problems with weight until 2 years ago when the weight gradually began to build up and just has not stopped since. I am now overweight at about 160-170 pounds at 5'5. (A worrying amount of this weight has gone to my breasts which have always been big for my size but are now abnormally large IMO, I know this is probably not relevant but I don't want to leave anything out. Also I often get stabbing/throbbing pains in my breasts) Prior to the weight gain, I did not have the healthiest eating habits, At times, I ate more junk food than I should have, not enough fruit etc. However, I have really been making a concentrated effort over the past year and a half to eat a lot healthier and to exercise and still the weight keeps coming. I just don't know what I'm doing wrong...it's extremely frustrating.
Next, is my menstrual cycle which has never been regular, (between 5-7 weeks apart sometimes longer). Again, up to about two years ago, when it did come I knew it would not last more than a week, although I did suffer with abdominal cramps. Now, the flow is entirely unpredictable, there is constant clotting, it can last weeks (although not heavy for the most part). Often, there seems to be a couple of days of brown discharge, then heavy bleeding for 2-3 days and then light bleeding for an unlimited amount of time, 3 weeks being the longest so far. Sometimes, there is no bleeding for a couple of days and then the heavy bleeding starts. Painful abdominal cramps accompany the heavy bleeding.
I have a wide array of other symptoms, I realize that many of them may be unrelated but I would like to refer to them just in case. First, I must state that I went for a thyroid and nutritional blood test six months ago which showed that I was anemic but my thyroid was apparently normal.
Fatigue is one of my symptoms, although this has improved with iron supplements, it is still there.
Hair growth on the neck and chin.
Occasional blurred vision.
Tic in corner of eyelid (occasonal)
Acne which developed about 2 years ago but has cleared with medication which I am now off.
Slight thinning of hair
Difficulty concentrating
Painful Intercourse
Yeast infection
Increased bowel movements
I know that not all of these symptoms are related and may be nothing but I feel my Dr is not listening to me since the thyroid test came back negative, although she said beforehand that she thought my thyroid looked swollen. I am worried about these symptoms and I know that no one can give me a concrete diagnosis online but what I really want to know is do I have cause to pursue a second opinion? I am frustrated already and I don't want to switch doctors just to be told that I'm making a big deal about nothing.
Thank you so much Dr or to anyone that replies.
Holly
My Doctor only did a basic thyroid test so no ultrasounds etc. I have explored the thyroid forum somewhat in the past and will definitely do so again.
I have never explored either of the other suggestions and they have never been suggested to me before but again I will definitely look into them and talk to my doctor.
You've been so helpful, thank you.
I have never explored either of the other suggestions and they have never been suggested to me before but again I will definitely look into them and talk to my doctor.
You've been so helpful, thank you.
I'm not a doctor, but did your doctor stop the thyroid tests with just a TSH level? Or did she order a thyroid ultrasound, since she thought your thyroid looked swollen? Did she also order T3 and T4 blood tests (see thyroid forum for someone else's experience in this regard).
With your blurred vision & menstrual problems, etc. has anyone ever done an MRI of your pituitary? Have they tested other endocrine function or just the TSH?
Have you ever had exploratory laporoscopic surgery to look for endometriosis?
With your blurred vision & menstrual problems, etc. has anyone ever done an MRI of your pituitary? Have they tested other endocrine function or just the TSH?
Have you ever had exploratory laporoscopic surgery to look for endometriosis?
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