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What Do Fatigue, Weight-gain And Depression Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 16 Oct 2017

Question: I am a 47 year old female. I eat well and exercise. In the last few months I have gained 15 pounds without an obvious cause. I also have other symptoms but don't know if they are related in any way. Pain in the back of one knee, which my doctor said is a Baker's Cyst. Also I suffer from depression and have for years but have been on medication. I have not changed my medication recently. Lately it seems my depression is worse. I cannot get out of bed in the morning and when I am not working I often sleep 15+ hours. I am still tired all the time. I have also found that my skin is hot to the touch sometimes in the last few months, but I don't think I have a fever. I also have a light tingling feeling that goes up my left arm from my hand, but it only happens when I am driving and the sun is on me. And one more thing - my nipples are always hard whereas before they were not. All of these things have started in the last few months. Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please clarify your menstrual history

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ma'am, I have gone through your question and I understand your concerns but I would recommend that you clarify you menstrual cycle history and whether you have been experiencing any irregularities to be able to help you further and to determine whether these symptoms are premenopausal or not .. kind regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (23 minutes later)

Hello, I am still getting my period regularly, with no issues.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (23 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hypothyroidism or premenopausal syndrome

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ma'am,
hello again..

The symptoms you are experiencing could be due to hypothyroidism which is a decreased level of thyroid hormone produced by thyroid gland .. This leads to unexplained weight gain, laziness , decreased energy and chronic fatigue .. This can be diagnosed by a blood test of T3,T4 and TSH levels and can be easily treated with thyroid hormone replacement therapy..
Another possible cause is premenopausal syndrome in which gradual decrease of estrogen hormone production occurrs , this can lead to unexplained weight gain , hard nipples , dry vagina and hot skin without elevated body temperature ..
This can be diagnosed by a blood test of day 3 estrogen level and can be treated with estrogen replacement therapy..
The tingling that spreads from your hand to your arms can be due to neuritis or due to an early carpal tunnel syndrome .. so I would recommend that you take vitamin b 12 supplements daily .. of no improvement occurs then please get a neurological examination to exclude carpal tunnel syndrome ..

I hope you find this helpful

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

Follow up: Dr. salah saad shoman (25 hours later)

Thank you, that is very helpful! Just one more question. If one pinky finger is suddenly numb but there are no other problems do you know what that could be from?
Thank you.

Answered by Dr. salah saad shoman (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ulnar nerve compression

Detailed Answer:
Dear Ma'am,
hello again..

if you experience numbness of your pinky finger then this excludes the possibility of carpal tunnel syndrome and raises the possibility of ulnar tunnel syndrome ..
Ulnar tunnel syndrome occur due to ulnar nerve compression or entrapment at the level of the elbow .. This could be due to cyst formation at the elbow joint ( ganglion cyst) or due to injury ..
I would recommend that you get a neurological examination of your hand and arm together with an X-ray of your elbow ..
if diagnosis is confirmed then according to the extent of nerve compression, the treatment will be decided either by anti-inflammatory medications and physiotherapy or by surgery to decompress the nerve ..

I hope I answered your question.
if you don't have any other clarifications then please close the discussion..

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