Should I Go Back To The GP?
amysfitjourney
Posts: 8 Member
Let me start of by saying that I am not throwing the towel in and I really don't think I am overreacting when I say that I am not losing weight, at all.
Between March - April 2013 I dropped to around 137lbs (my lowest weight ever) while doing Insanity. Shortly after I started getting irregular periods, abdominal pain etc and the doctor discovered I have cysts on my ovaries: I was informed I had polycystic ovaries, not polycystic ovary syndrome, apparently there's a difference.
Since then I have not lost weight, I've slowly but surely gained weight. A grand total of ... 35ish lbs give or take (some may be retained water as my water uptake hasn't been what it should be).
During this time I have completed insanity twice more, and lost 2lbs which were promptly gained again. I run, I do gym cardio classes, I do spin, I do weight training and I've done nothing at all. I've counted calories and weighed food right up to every drop of ketchup used, I've eaten clean, paleo and not given a crap. I've stopped weighing too, giving myself a wee break (two-three weeks, not months and months).
I've have tried everything I can think of and no matter what I do the weight won't shift. I'm not sure if I'm doing anything obviously wrong, but it's getting beyond frustrating now in to "I just want to cry" territory.
I'm always lethargic, have easily breakable hair and nails, hair and nails that don't grow and I've had really bad skin flare ups too. Is it possible there is some sort of hormone imbalance there that a GP could figure out? I'm at the end of my tether .. why try and become fit and strong when my efforts are constantly rebuffed.
Between March - April 2013 I dropped to around 137lbs (my lowest weight ever) while doing Insanity. Shortly after I started getting irregular periods, abdominal pain etc and the doctor discovered I have cysts on my ovaries: I was informed I had polycystic ovaries, not polycystic ovary syndrome, apparently there's a difference.
Since then I have not lost weight, I've slowly but surely gained weight. A grand total of ... 35ish lbs give or take (some may be retained water as my water uptake hasn't been what it should be).
During this time I have completed insanity twice more, and lost 2lbs which were promptly gained again. I run, I do gym cardio classes, I do spin, I do weight training and I've done nothing at all. I've counted calories and weighed food right up to every drop of ketchup used, I've eaten clean, paleo and not given a crap. I've stopped weighing too, giving myself a wee break (two-three weeks, not months and months).
I've have tried everything I can think of and no matter what I do the weight won't shift. I'm not sure if I'm doing anything obviously wrong, but it's getting beyond frustrating now in to "I just want to cry" territory.
I'm always lethargic, have easily breakable hair and nails, hair and nails that don't grow and I've had really bad skin flare ups too. Is it possible there is some sort of hormone imbalance there that a GP could figure out? I'm at the end of my tether .. why try and become fit and strong when my efforts are constantly rebuffed.
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Replies
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Opening your diary might help0
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It's possible. First thing's first-- open up your diary. Have you tried low carb yet? I've read that for some with PCOS it helps.0
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A good rule rule of thumb is that if you are wondering if you need to go see your doctor, you probably should.0
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I am not a doctor but your symptoms indicate hypothyroidism. Its easily treated. Please do get it checked out. Good luck!!0
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TavistockToad wrote: »Opening your diary might help
This is a new account (been a member 3 years in total) as I was feeling disheartened with my old one due to the weight gain and I've been following a meal plan set out by a trainer for the last six weeks - porridge, cereal etc in the morning; lean protein and veg for lunch and dinner; little to no carbs during those meals and then fruit etc for snacks.
I previously lost almost 70lbs with this site, through careful meal prep and tracking which I still do. However I have now gained about 35lbs back.ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »It's possible. First thing's first-- open up your diary. Have you tried low carb yet? I've read that for some with PCOS it helps.
Almost similar to above. I am trying low carb ... I also have gluten intolerance which makes it easier as I don't eat bread, very little pasta as gluten free is expensive and all the other starchy staples are a no-no on my plan.FoCoAlphaNerd wrote: »A good rule rule of thumb is that if you are wondering if you need to go see your doctor, you probably should.
Can you go to a doctor and complain about not losing weight? Is it something they take seriously? It's not something I'd ever imagined needing to do at this age
1961dublin wrote: »I am not a doctor but your symptoms indicate hypothyroidism. Its easily treated. Please do get it checked out. Good luck!!
From reading online and further research I thought it sounded like this too, or PCOS as opposed to just polycystic ovaries ... however last time they said my results were normal because hormonal birth control can affect the result of a PCOS test!? And I really don't want to give that up ...0 -
Your GP may or may not take you seriously. If you were just saying "I can't lose weight!" they might be more inclined to write you off, but you do have some other symptoms you can give them.
That said, it would support your case more if you had your food logs to show your doctor. As it is they may tell you to go home, log your food for a few weeks, and then come back.0 -
Yes, go, get a blood test. Ask for a Vitamin D check (this isn't always automatic). Hopefully they'll check your iron and thyroid too (they usually do).0
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ILiftHeavyAcrylics wrote: »Your GP may or may not take you seriously. If you were just saying "I can't lose weight!" they might be more inclined to write you off, but you do have some other symptoms you can give them.
That said, it would support your case more if you had your food logs to show your doctor. As it is they may tell you to go home, log your food for a few weeks, and then come back.
Yeah I have a whole track record over the past year and a half (possibly more) about visits due to the problems with my ovaries, ultrasounds etc.
They did mention PCOS at first but then shrugged it off and said it wasn't the actual 'syndrome'. My hair/nails/skin are fairly obvious (it's grown a grand total of 2 inches since April last year ...)
I also had food logs for the past 6 weeks for my trainer and it reads like a horrible repetitive book ... porridge, soup/salad with meat/meat with veggies/bananas, apples and yogurts
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I'm just getting sick fed up of working my *kitten* off at the gym, pushing myself to get fitter and then not seeing any results what so ever. Slow weight loss I could take, but this is weight gain and I'm not best pleased.0
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pcos and thyroid issues coexist in a lot of people0
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It does sound a lot like hypothyroidism, my sister has it and you have exactly the same symptoms. Worth getting it checked out
. Also, with the medication my sister's on now she feels absolutely fine! 0 -
i have PCOS and hypothyroidism, both diagnosed last year. Your symptoms sound similar... Go to your GP and see how they feel about you going to an endocrinologist. Referrals are the easiest way. Good luck!0
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Thanks everyone. I wanted to go back to the doctor but didn't know if I had a leg to stand on really ... I know there's something wrong but at least other people agree that between the weight gain, fatigue, hair/skin/nail issues I'm not just going crazy.0
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This pdf explains PCOS quite well - it has little to do with the cysts so much as it has to do with elevated insulin levels. I was juts diagnosed as having PCOS and my insulin is barely above the normal level. My endocrinologist thinks that my body is just very sensitive to testosterone, so while those numbers are "normal" my body is like "nope nope nope!" about it. I have mild hirsutism, irregular cycles, and somewhat severe acne (especially for being 33).
A lot of what you describe does sound like hypothyroid though, so I would ask to have a thyroid panel done. Also check to see if it's something that runs in your family (it does in mine).0 -
I have the acne, weight problems and period issues (bleeding every two weeks for months and then nothing for months at a time, with no set pattern to follow) ... now nothing again since the coil was fitted 6 months ago.
That's a really useful leaflet though, thank you! x0 -
I had similar issues, weight gain, extreme fatigue, hair was very brittle and thinning, skin was horrible, along with some digestive issues and a really effed up cycle. Tested for thyroid over and over and that wasn't the issue for me I guess. The doctors kept testing for a Vitamin D deficiency and it was consistently low. Would give me a supplement and then forget about it so I never got it to the right place. I got tired of trying to fight to get this taken care of, tired of them thinking that I'm some bored depressed housewife and it was all in my head.
I've been making sure to hit all of my micros for the last 50 days, including D, K, all the B's, and my minerals. I do this with diet alone. I feel great now and my hair is growing out well, my cycle is more normal, my energy is through the roof. I would check out the FDA supertracker or cronometer.com to see if you are getting ALL of your micros. It's amazing how something so small can completely throw your body out of whack. It is also handy to have that report to hand to your doctor because if you are consistently getting all of your nutrition but your body is not registering a particular nutrient, it can point them in the right direction.0 -
amysfitjourney wrote: »
I'm always lethargic, have easily breakable hair and nails, hair and nails that don't grow and I've had really bad skin flare ups too. Is it possible there is some sort of hormone imbalance there that a GP could figure out? I'm at the end of my tether .. why try and become fit and strong when my efforts are constantly rebuffed.
It sounds like you might need to try to be more consistent about both diet and exercise.
That said, some of the symptoms you list do sound like they could be hormonal, perhaps thyroid-related. In theory, a GP should be able to diagnose and treat something like this, but my experience is that generalists are often not very good with metabolic issues of any type. If you have a good GYN, that might be a better place to start. Certainly pursue this with a doctor, and if you don't get answers, it might be worth seeing an endocrinologist.
Don't give up!
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Hi hun, gosh you must be at your wits end! First of all I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis, it must have been quite a shock.
Next - I think your doctor should be offering you more help than just a diagnosis. Are you in the UK? Can you get a referral to a dietician? Nutritionist?
You are not going mad, your condition can cause all of the things you describe.
I have another illness and metabolic issues due to mess, certain dietary changes have seen me lose weight (1st 5 lbs so far) but I think you need some support from a specialist.
Good luck 0 -
amysfitjourney wrote: »Let me start of by saying that I am not throwing the towel in and I really don't think I am overreacting when I say that I am not losing weight, at all.
Between March - April 2013 I dropped to around 137lbs (my lowest weight ever) while doing Insanity. Shortly after I started getting irregular periods, abdominal pain etc and the doctor discovered I have cysts on my ovaries: I was informed I had polycystic ovaries, not polycystic ovary syndrome, apparently there's a difference.
Since then I have not lost weight, I've slowly but surely gained weight. A grand total of ... 35ish lbs give or take (some may be retained water as my water uptake hasn't been what it should be).
During this time I have completed insanity twice more, and lost 2lbs which were promptly gained again. I run, I do gym cardio classes, I do spin, I do weight training and I've done nothing at all. I've counted calories and weighed food right up to every drop of ketchup used, I've eaten clean, paleo and not given a crap. I've stopped weighing too, giving myself a wee break (two-three weeks, not months and months).
I've have tried everything I can think of and no matter what I do the weight won't shift. I'm not sure if I'm doing anything obviously wrong, but it's getting beyond frustrating now in to "I just want to cry" territory.
I'm always lethargic, have easily breakable hair and nails, hair and nails that don't grow and I've had really bad skin flare ups too. Is it possible there is some sort of hormone imbalance there that a GP could figure out? I'm at the end of my tether .. why try and become fit and strong when my efforts are constantly rebuffed.
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I had some similar symptoms (exceptions as I am male in my 70's. Was lethargic, nail problems, cracking skin, hair loss on my legs, etc. Dr found low thyroid. Prescribed a small daily dose of synthroid --- problems disappeared and energy returned. Some years later again had above symptoms (but not quite as bad as earlier). My GP upped the dosage and viola! they disappeared. You really need to visit your GP and explain your situation as thoroughly as you've written it above. Make notes to insure you identify ALL your concerns/problems. Good luck.0
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Nottafattie wrote: »I had similar issues, weight gain, extreme fatigue, hair was very brittle and thinning, skin was horrible, along with some digestive issues and a really effed up cycle. Tested for thyroid over and over and that wasn't the issue for me I guess. The doctors kept testing for a Vitamin D deficiency and it was consistently low. Would give me a supplement and then forget about it so I never got it to the right place. I got tired of trying to fight to get this taken care of, tired of them thinking that I'm some bored depressed housewife and it was all in my head.
I've been making sure to hit all of my micros for the last 50 days, including D, K, all the B's, and my minerals. I do this with diet alone. I feel great now and my hair is growing out well, my cycle is more normal, my energy is through the roof. I would check out the FDA supertracker or cronometer.com to see if you are getting ALL of your micros. It's amazing how something so small can completely throw your body out of whack. It is also handy to have that report to hand to your doctor because if you are consistently getting all of your nutrition but your body is not registering a particular nutrient, it can point them in the right direction.
I'm supplementing for severe vit d deficiency (drops). Do you have any handy resources for how to balance it with K, B and calcium? I wasn't given that info and there's just loads online. Well done by the way for doing it with food!!0 -
It also could be indicative of endometriosis, which is so incredibly difficult to diagnose until it becomes severe.0
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Yes, go, get a blood test. Ask for a Vitamin D check (this isn't always automatic). Hopefully they'll check your iron and thyroid too (they usually do).
Have them run more than just your TSH, ask for Free T3 and Free T4 and your TPOab/ag to be done as well. I could have written your post. I am currently waiting on an endocrinologist to determine exactly what is wrong with my thyroid because after seeing 3 doctors, I resorted to paying out of pocket for the blood work that discovered something is wrong.
Please see your doctor.
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com
they have symptom lists on the site I linked you. check it and see if any of it rings any bells for you.0 -
I have PCOS and all the things you mentioned are symptoms of PCOS. It is also very likely that you are either insulin resistant, hypoglycemic or have developed onset diabetes, which are also common when you have PCOS.
I would recommend asking your doctor about forms of hormone therapy that may benefit you (such as birth control, it really really helps when you have PCOS), as well as requesting they run tests on you to check for diabetes and to check your thyroid.
I found out in addition to PCOS I was hypoglycemic a couple years ago when I would feel faint out of no where and always tired, I knew it was in reaction to the foods I was eating but I couldn't put my finger on which foods were causing it. My doctor (OB...not GP) was able to help a lot. I suggest starting there, if you don't feel you're getting the information you need from your doctor than find another.
I lived with the PCOS for years before going to the doctor for the symptoms and I was shocked that a simple meal plan and pill could change my life so much.0 -
And yes, I know you mentioned you don't have PCOS but its my understanding that having PC ovaries also causing your body to produce an abundance of androgen which is what causes these symptoms.0
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I'm supplementing for severe vit d deficiency (drops). Do you have any handy resources for how to balance it with K, B and calcium? I wasn't given that info and there's just loads online. Well done by the way for doing it with food!!
I just log all of my food on cronometer.com as well as MFP. It's not perfect, but if I'm low on D for the day, I drink a glass of milk or whatever food will get me there. Same for all the rest of my vitamins and minerals. You can look online for foods rich in whatever source you are missing.
I haven't had my D tested lately, but the last week has been fantastic as far as my symptoms being gone. No foggy head, hair is growing like a weed, skin is smoother and less waxy. It takes a while before your body catches up, even with the supplements. It really took me weeks doing this before everything seemed to fade. I think that's why the supplements that the doctor gave me didn't work very well. It was one quick boost, but your body doesn't retain all of it. Then after that quick shot, I went back into the same bad eating habits that put me there in the first place, resulting in a low D again. God only knows what else I was deficient in!!!
Your welcome to diary stalk me if you want to see what my meals are like. Just don't judge me by yesterday because it was a mess. I have an off day every now and again. The rest are pretty spot on for hitting all my D, Calcium, Bs and so on. And if I have a day where I just don't come close enough to suit me, I do take a multivitamin to boost it. I just prefer to do it with food rather than meds.
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Nottafattie wrote: »
I'm supplementing for severe vit d deficiency (drops). Do you have any handy resources for how to balance it with K, B and calcium? I wasn't given that info and there's just loads online. Well done by the way for doing it with food!!
I just log all of my food on cronometer.com as well as MFP. It's not perfect, but if I'm low on D for the day, I drink a glass of milk or whatever food will get me there. Same for all the rest of my vitamins and minerals. You can look online for foods rich in whatever source you are missing.
I haven't had my D tested lately, but the last week has been fantastic as far as my symptoms being gone. No foggy head, hair is growing like a weed, skin is smoother and less waxy. It takes a while before your body catches up, even with the supplements. It really took me weeks doing this before everything seemed to fade. I think that's why the supplements that the doctor gave me didn't work very well. It was one quick boost, but your body doesn't retain all of it. Then after that quick shot, I went back into the same bad eating habits that put me there in the first place, resulting in a low D again. God only knows what else I was deficient in!!!
Your welcome to diary stalk me if you want to see what my meals are like. Just don't judge me by yesterday because it was a mess. I have an off day every now and again. The rest are pretty spot on for hitting all my D, Calcium, Bs and so on. And if I have a day where I just don't come close enough to suit me, I do take a multivitamin to boost it. I just prefer to do it with food rather than meds.
Aw, that's kind - thank you! It sounds like you've done a ton of research! - maybe I'll pick up some pointers. Seriously, thanks!
It does take a long time to bring D levels back up, or that's what I was told by my doctor. I'm glad you're feeling better and seeing results! Very encouraging (maybe enough to get me to try it with food! I do my best to roughly get micronutrients in, but a lot of my planning and cooking is improvisational, depending on mood, which produce looks good, etc.. It sounds like it's worth it, though!
Thanks again
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amysfitjourney wrote: »I have the acne, weight problems and period issues (bleeding every two weeks for months and then nothing for months at a time, with no set pattern to follow) ... now nothing again since the coil was fitted 6 months ago.
That's a really useful leaflet though, thank you! x
If you have a hormonal IUD like Mirena chances are you won't get a period at all. I had one in for about 14 months and never cycled. The problems continued after for YEARS. Like I took it out in November of 2008 and I've only had normal monthly cycles since July of 2014. Prior I'd go as little as 26 days between and longest of 72 days, usually with very light spotting every 2 weeks.
Obviously everyone is different, so my experiences will not be the exact same as someone else.0 -
it sounds like you have a PCOS every woman is different
- bad skin
- hormone imbalance
- brittle hair and nails
- easy weight gain
- lack of period
- extra hair
- insulin resistant
that's just to name a few thing and there is no one test that says BINGO you have this it's a group of symptoms.
It is easy to control with diet and exercise.0
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