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I Have Severe Weakness And Fatigue All Over My Body.

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Posted on Wed, 24 Jul 2019
Question: I have severe weakness and fatigue all over my body. Im being treated for iron defieciency. However im worried the weakness could be something else also
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (2 hours later)
Brief Answer: XXXXXXX AND WEAKNESS

Detailed Answer:
Hi...
Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service.
I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX

I have gone through your query and here is my opinion.

Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and is the most common cause of weakness,fatigue and exhaustion prevalent in the world.
it occurs when body has a deficiency of mineral iron which is needed for hemoglobin synthesis.
Haemoglobin is the oxygen carrier and body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs.

At times people experience the symptoms for years without ever knowing the cause.
It can be nutritional or due to blood loss.
It can be diagnosed by a anaemia profile and blood film.
.
It would be helpful for me if you let me know your age ,sex and detailed symptomatology.
XXXXXXX needs dietary modifications like plenty of raw fruits and dark green vegetables,red meat and iron fortified cereals and nuts.
At times,commercially available iron preparations (oral or intravenous),vitamin C preparations (required for iron absorption in gut) or blood transfusion is needed.

If you have no co morbidly like diabetes (Hypoglycaemia) and heart disease(heart failure),the two things that need to be excluded are infection and hypothyroidism.

An on going infection-bacterial or viral(like influenza ) may cause an on going fatigue and weakness.

A hypofunctioning of thyroid can be detected by thyroid profile.
Thyroid gland secretes hormones which have an extensive role in metabolism and it's deficiency commonly presents as extreme weakness.
It is managed by replenishing the levels by levothyroxine.

Hope that I have answered your query.
If you have any doubts,please let me know.

Stay healthy and stay blessed.
Regards.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (12 hours later)
Thankyou for that answer. Im female aged 24, my symptoms began 3 months ago i get really tired even doing simple every day tasks such as bathing. Im taking an iron supplement for the iron deficiency i dont have anemia i just have iron deficiency. Ive had my fbc done last month which didnt show any sign of infection. Also my bones crack when i move a lot can that be a symptom of iron deficiency?
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
IRON DEFICIENCY

Detailed Answer:
Hi....

Usually bone and joint cracking is a normal phenomenon caused by bubbles in the synovial fluid.
It has no deleterious effects on bones and joints in the long run.
Iron deficiency never presents like that.
Most frequent presentation of it's deficiency is extreme fatigue.
Usually the symptoms of iron deficiency are weakness,exhaustion,lethargy,fatigue,muscle pains,dizziness,palpitations,brittle nails and shortness of breath.
In view of these symptoms,you need further evaluation in the form of serum calcium,phosphorus,vitamin D and serum paratharmone levels

Your Blood counts are normal so an infection gets ruled out.
Have your thyroid and vitamin B12 levels been procured in the recent past?

If you get tired even by the day today tasks like bathing,then that is a matter of real concern.
Your need cardiac examination and investigations like ekg and echo.
This would reveal if the pumping function of your heart is normal or compromised.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. AJEET SINGH (1 hour later)
Ok thankyou. My b12 level was low in may but since has improved to 891. My vitamin d was checked and is 94. And i had my thryroid checked in april which was normal also. Do you think this could be hormone related?
doctor
Answered by Dr. AJEET SINGH (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
IRON DEFICIENCY AND FATIGUE

Detailed Answer:
Hi....

Your Vitamin B12 levels were low and are improving now.
Normal range for vitamin B-12 in the blood is between 200 and 900 pg/mL.
It's deficiency causes extreme weakness, tiredness,light headedness,palpitation,pallor,stomach upset,constipation,anorexia, numbness,tingling and muscle pains.

Vitamin B-12 can be found naturally in animal products such as fish, meat,eggs,poultry and dairy products.
It does not typically occur in plant foods.
A vegetarian can get it from Fortified cereals,soya milk and yeast.

Usual Vitamin D levels is 20 ng/mL to 50 ng/mL and a level less than 12 ng/mL indicates vitamin D deficiency.
You said that your vitamin D was checked and was 94,please let me know the units of measurement.

Feeling tired can have many causes and vitamin D deficiency may be one of them.
Other features of it's deficiency are Bone pain,bone loss,hair loss,depression etc.
Get regular sun exposure,have fatty fish,sea foods,mushrooms and take commercially available supplements(60k IU every week for 3 months) if the levels are low.

Your thyroid levels are normal.

Usual symptoms of imbalance of female sex hormones are irregular,heavy and frequent vaginal bleeding,excess facial hair,vaginal dryness,painful coitus,stomach upset,constipation,acne,hot flushes and flashes,painful and brittle bones etc.
Your symptoms do not coincide with these features.

The only hormonal upset which can be considered here is the level of cortisol which presents as extreme fatigue and weight loss,in addition to stomach upset.

An imbalance of cortisol levels can be detected by a urine,saliva or blood test.
As it's levels change throughout the day (diurnal variation) so the timing of a cortisol test is important.
A low cortisol can easily managed by stress management,right amount of sleep,relaxation techniques,meditation,light exercise and nourishing diet.

Happy living.
Regards.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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Answered by
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Dr. AJEET SINGH

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 2151 Questions

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I Have Severe Weakness And Fatigue All Over My Body.

Brief Answer: XXXXXXX AND WEAKNESS Detailed Answer: Hi... Welcome to "Ask a Doctor"service. I am Dr Ajeet XXXXXXX I have gone through your query and here is my opinion. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and is the most common cause of weakness,fatigue and exhaustion prevalent in the world. it occurs when body has a deficiency of mineral iron which is needed for hemoglobin synthesis. Haemoglobin is the oxygen carrier and body can’t get the amount of oxygen it needs. At times people experience the symptoms for years without ever knowing the cause. It can be nutritional or due to blood loss. It can be diagnosed by a anaemia profile and blood film. . It would be helpful for me if you let me know your age ,sex and detailed symptomatology. XXXXXXX needs dietary modifications like plenty of raw fruits and dark green vegetables,red meat and iron fortified cereals and nuts. At times,commercially available iron preparations (oral or intravenous),vitamin C preparations (required for iron absorption in gut) or blood transfusion is needed. If you have no co morbidly like diabetes (Hypoglycaemia) and heart disease(heart failure),the two things that need to be excluded are infection and hypothyroidism. An on going infection-bacterial or viral(like influenza ) may cause an on going fatigue and weakness. A hypofunctioning of thyroid can be detected by thyroid profile. Thyroid gland secretes hormones which have an extensive role in metabolism and it's deficiency commonly presents as extreme weakness. It is managed by replenishing the levels by levothyroxine. Hope that I have answered your query. If you have any doubts,please let me know. Stay healthy and stay blessed. Regards.