Debilitating fatigue

[DrMommy09]

I was diagnosed celiac just over a year ago and have been gluten free ever since. Recent follow up endoscopy showed significant healing of my gut. I've had virtually no GI symptoms (but that also wasn't my biggest symptom when diagnosed).

The one thing that has gotten worse is my fatigue. I can sleep a full night and fall right asleep for a two hour nap with no problem. I feel I could sleep even more than I do.

Recent blood panel showed a slight iron deficiency (I am now taking iron, though haven't seen an improvement) and a vitamin D deficiency that I have been taking 10,000 IU daily for the past three months. I also take B 12 (my initiative). 

I am not sure what to do at this point. GI doc said we will recheck blood work but my levels according to her were not all that low. Any thoughts on what to do next? Functional medicine doc? She also said my thyroid function looks fine.

My only other theory is that I have taken an antidepressant for years that has a sedative side effect. I am wondering if now that my absorption is improving, the med is too strong and the side effects worse?

Open to any thoughts here, including who to see next in terms of doc, questions to ask, etc. This level of tiredness does not feel normal. Also, I am 45 and female.

Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Victoria1234]

I'm so sorry you are having this issue. I used to be exhausted and it turned out to be sleep apnea. A simple sleep study will help you with this. My husband told me I snored and seemed to stop breathing a lot. He was right! Now I feel loads better. Good luck to you.

[Estes]

I believe deficiencies make a big difference so hopeful supplements help you!  When I went no carbs until evening it made a big difference for me.  Maybe worth a try?  I am a 42 yo female.

[icelandgirl]

Hi DrMommy,

I'm sorry that you are going through this...it sounds rough. 

Do you know if a complete thyroid panel was run?  I ask because many Drs will only run TSH or TSH and free T4.  Unfortunately those don't tell the whole story of your thyroid.  Both can be normal, but if free T3 is low, you can feel exhausted.  If you have elevated TPOAB or TgAb(both are antibodies), all other thyroid tests can be normal and you can still feel terrible.  Finally, many Drs don't recognize that a thyroid can be within "normal range", but if it's not optimal, a person can feel awful.  Basically, you want a TSH around 1, both free #'s to be in 50-75% of the range and no antibodies.   It would definitely be worth checking to see what tests you had done and what your results were.

As far as absorption.  I do believe that with healing you should start absorbing better, including medication.  I am on a lower dose of thyroid medication than I was at celiac diagnosis and the only explanation my endocrinologist has is better absorption.

Good luck to you!  I hope you get this figured out!

[Ennis-TX]

Few other thoughts for supplements, might look into a full spectrum of B-vitamins, they work together and many work in combination with other nutrients for your body. Also many celiacs suffer from magnesium deficiency, this can cause fatigue, muscle aches, constipation, nerve issues, tingling, and many other issuers. For those my normal suggestions are Liquid Health Stress & Energy and the Neurological support from the same company 3 times a day at half dose of 1tbsp.   On the magnesium I rotate myself but either Natural Vitality Calm or Doctors Best version. Both can be mixed ina liquid the Calm is a magnesium Citrate which can be a bit harsh on the gut and you have to ease into it the doctors best is much easier to digest and normally does not cause any major side effects.

If your having iron issues it is essential you take vitamin C with it to help absorb it.

Other thoughts for the fatigue is it could be a food reaction, if you have a slight intolerance, or allergy to a food it will bog you down. I have a few foods that cause me to feel sleepy, achey and tired when I eat them. Keep a food dairy and see if you notice any patterns and try mixing up your diet a bit. Also what are you eating, you mentioned it got worse on the gluten-free diet with the fatigue, if you started eating more processed starchy foods this could be it. A more whole foods diet with a balance is essential, finding that right blend for your own body can be a bit of a pain and everyone is different. I for one went ketogenic with just fats and protein, others find a diet high in simple to digest carbs like sweet potatoes, with a mix of greens and meats work well.