Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency?

Jorra
Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
I've been having a lot of trouble with weakness and fatigue lately. Of course, I always like to use the internet to diagnose myself before seeing a doctor, so I've considered talking with my doctor about adrenal problems.

The things I've been reading say adrenal problems can be caused by major life stress (which I currently have a lot of) and is associated with other symptoms I've been having such as low blood pressure, light-headedness, and hair loss. My muscle weakness occurs early in the morning and I usually regain energy by about 10AM. Sometimes it gets so bad I have to stop taking notes in class because my fingers just don't have the energy to move anymore.

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with any of these issues and can provide some insight. I'm hoping to get to the doctor by the end of this week.

Replies

  • cbirdso
    cbirdso Posts: 465 Member
    Since I'm an old person, I've known lots of people with those same symptoms. The problem is that I don't recall that the root cause for any one of them was the same. In other words, what you are experienceing can only be diagnosed with medical tests. Usually starting with blood tests. Since you are female, they will try to tell you it is just stress, but I would insist on comprehensive testing. The problem with this of course is you have to have good insurance or the cost is prohibitive.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    Thanks, I have had some blood tests done to rule out thyroid issues. Insurance shouldn't be too much of an issue, I should probably take advantage of it now because I'll be losing it when I graduate.

    (P.S. You are not old!)
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    I'm not a doctor, but I play one on MFP.

    Your problems sound like nutritional deficiency to me.
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    I'm not a doctor, but I play one on MFP.

    Your problems sound like nutritional deficiency to me.

    Best line ever. I wonder which nutrient I could be missing. I bet it's one of those sneaky micronutrients they don't put on labels!
  • adnore
    adnore Posts: 2
    HOw long has this been going on? Thyroid problems can also cause some of these issues. Hopefully all adrenals are not involved because that is not as easily treated as just thyroid. I am praying for you that all will be ok...be sure to follow through with the Dr appt.:flowerforyou:
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    HOw long has this been going on? Thyroid problems can also cause some of these issues. Hopefully all adrenals are not involved because that is not as easily treated as just thyroid. I am praying for you that all will be ok...be sure to follow through with the Dr appt.:flowerforyou:

    Thanks, I was tested about three months ago for thyroid issues and everything turned up fine. The weakness has just started recently, since this semester started. I don't think it's caused by any lack of sleep because I am one college student who is very dedicated to getting proper sleep every night of the week.
  • SiltyPigeon
    SiltyPigeon Posts: 920 Member
    I'm not a doctor, but I play one on MFP.

    Your problems sound like nutritional deficiency to me.

    Best line ever. I wonder which nutrient I could be missing. I bet it's one of those sneaky micronutrients they don't put on labels!

    My vote goes to Iron.
  • rice161
    rice161 Posts: 59
    I think everyone would (hopefully) say the same thing, that only a doctor is going to get to the root of this. However I will share, that I personally have experienced a lot of what you're sharing (but not all). Hair Loss, low blood pressure, etc... I've developed the same issues the last time I lost a significant amount of weight, almost like my body was having trouble permanently adjusting no matter how much vitamins, sleep, and healthy weight loss I was doing. I'm not saying that's your issue, but you may be seeing symptoms of more than one situation going on based on the amount of weight you have lost as well.

    Hopefully the doctors can get that all figured out for you. I'm sure it's a little scary! I'm hoping to do a checkup myself once my insurance from the new job kicks in next month! Good Luck!
  • Jorra
    Jorra Posts: 3,338 Member
    If anyone is still interested, I just got my test results back from the doctor. Turns out I got parvovirus B19, which causes Fifth Disease. It's just a simple viral infection that lasts just a couple weeks. Now I'm only worried about the cold I caught from my roommate!
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