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What Causes Extreme Fatigue, Fever And Hair Fall?

Posted on Wed, 21 Dec 2016

Question: My 25 year old son is overseas in China and reports, via text messages, the following symptoms:
2 weeks ago have a fever and extreme fatigue. After that, body hair began falling out. Now have extreme body fatigue and heaviness, muscle weakness. Bad mood swings where start crying out of nowhere [past treatment for Bi-polar disorder]. Thyroid tests were sub-clinical hypothyroidism. Last time this happened still had fatigue after the thyroid levels normalized. Immune markers for thyroid autoimmune stuff were quite high however. Big loss in appetite. Had been dieting before it happened but nothing crazy. losing weight at steady pace (same as last time in the States). Seems symptoms triggered approx 1 hour after eating but symptoms always present. [my son does have fatty liver and some liver pain; he also has a family history of under-active thyroid and of insulin-dependent diabetes.]

Answered by Dr. Elona (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
In my opinion your son needs dose adjustment of Synthroid.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
I have gone through your question.
I can understand your concern.

Fatigue, heaviness, muscle weakness, mood swings,loss of appetite,body hair loss are symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Sub-clinical hypothyroidism, also referred to as mild thyroid failure, is diagnosed when peripheral thyroid hormone levels are within the normal range, but thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is mildly elevated (4,5-10)

Sub-clinical hypothyroidism is diagnosed when you have: No symptoms or mild symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Your son has the a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism ,so i think that his actual thyroid condition is not sub-clinical hypothyroidism but hypothyroidism.

My advice is to do the thyroid function test: TSH, freeT3 and free T4. This tests are important to know your son's actual thyroid function and to do the dose adjustment of Synthroid (accordingly to the test results).

Anyway let me know the results of his thyroid tests(you can ask me a direct question) and i will be happy to help for the right diagnose and treatment.

Hope my information is helpful for you. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Thank you for using HCM.
Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Elona (16 hours later)

Thank you so much! My son went to the physician. Tested thyroid levels and was told levels are normal now but still feels exhausted and still has episodes though feels better than 36 hours ago. Could he have some kind of post-viral syndrome after that fever etc? Is hypothyroidism chronic condition?

Answered by Dr. Elona (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think the fever of 2 week ago,is the cause of his symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Hi

1.Your son had fever 2 week ago,so in my opinion the actual fatigue and all the other symptoms can not be atributted to the fever.

My advice is to repeat the thyroid tests in another lab(i insist that the diagnose can be hypothyroidism) but if the second results will be normal ,than you should discuss with your doctor the other causes that can cause your son's symptoms.

2.The most common cause of hypothyroidism is a particular inflammatory disorder known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis.Your son has a high level of autoimmune markers ,so i think that his diagnose is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Autoimmune disorders occur when your immune system produces antibodies that attack your own tissues. When this process involves the thyroid gland the result is Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
This is a chronic condition.

Hope this is helpful.
Take care.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D