So Tired!

[swittenauer]

My husband was diagnosed last July & still is so so tired most all of the times it seems. Some times are worse than others but overall he is just plain tired. He got back his most recent bloodwork & everything came up roses. My question is, will he ever get over being this way? Is it just part of it? I just want to help him in some way but am unsure what, if anything, I can do if it is just part of it.

[CarlaB]

Have they checked his thyroid?

[swittenauer]

Yes they have.

[jerseyangel]

My husband was diagnosed last July & still is so so tired most all of the times it seems. Some times are worse than others but overall he is just plain tired. He got back his most recent bloodwork & everything came up roses. My question is, will he ever get over being this way? Is it just part of it? I just want to help him in some way but am unsure what, if anything, I can do if it is just part of it.

Hi--I was diagnosed last June. I still have quite a bit of fatigue. And, like your husband, some times are worse than other times. I had bloodwork done in Nov.--after 6 months, and everything including my thyroid was fine. My hemiglobin, that had been at 8 before I went gluten-free was 14.5! So in my case, it is not the anemia or my thyroid. I am trying to get some exercise (gentle, like Pilates and walking) and other than that, am hanging in there, hoping it will improve.

[swittenauer]

As bad as it is to hear that someone else experiences the same thing, it is comforting to know that we aren't alone.

[Nancym]

Fatigue can be a big player in any autoimmune disease. So there might be something lurking there that hasn't been found.

I found that after getting off both dairy and gluten my fatigue got a lot better. But I also discovered I have an autoimmune disease, and I'm getting that treated, so it might be that as well.

[rmmadden]

Your husband is about the same age as I am. I drank High-Protein Boost for a few months to help w/ the fatigue. Any flavor except chocolate malt is gluten-free. Don't worry, the fatigue will pass eventually. Now I'm back to playing softball, golf, walking and bicycling.

Best of luck,

Cleveland Bob

[Ursa Major]

Have his ferretin, vitamin D, Calcium + Magnesium levels been checked? A deficiency in any of those could cause fatigue.

[Guhlia]

It took me months to regain any kind of energy level after going gluten free. It took me two years (and still working) to get ALL the gluten out of my diet so that I could feel better. I still suffer from fatigue a little, but it's nothing near what it used to be.

Just out of curiosity... Does he show any signs of sleep apnea? I know that can cause major fatigue.

Good luck!

[Alexandra]

Yes they have.

I'm sorry your husband's not feeling well.

Besides the standard TSH test (the typical thyroid screen), have they tested him for anti-thyroid antibodies? These are not uncommon in celiacs and sometimes people who have them (including me) have normal TSH but still respond well to treatment for hypothyroidism to lower the TSH to the lower end of the normal range.

Also, do check that his TSH is under 3.0. Many doctors aren't aware that the top end of the reference range was lowered in 2003. It used to be thought that anything up to 5.0 was OK.

-- Alexandra

[ianm]

It took me about two years to really get over the fatigue. There was a time when it took everything I had to just get from the bedroom to the bathroom. You need to give it some more time.

[judy05]

My husband was diagnosed last July & still is so so tired most all of the times it seems. Some times are worse than others but overall he is just plain tired. He got back his most recent bloodwork & everything came up roses. My question is, will he ever get over being this way? Is it just part of it? I just want to help him in some way but am unsure what, if anything, I can do if it is just part of it.

I found that doing exercises helped me. I started out doing 4-5 minutes on the treadmill or bicycle. This has helped me get my blood sugar under control, I lost a few pounds and began to feel stronger. I gradually worked up to 30-45 minutes. Don't let him overdo in the beginning. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

[revceliac]

This has been very helpful. I was diagnosed with celiacs at the end of April of 2006. I immediately felt better being off the gluten but now that my gastro system has settled down, it seems like my energy has too. Work is a struggle. I take naps a lot. There are days I get out of bed and begin counting time until I can go to bed. I like the idea of small amounts of exercising.

[MSU]

Pernicious Anemia (low B12 levels) is common in Celiacs, and mild cases can manifest as fatigue. Moreover, it doesn't go away quickly, so you might want to get that checked. I've been gluten free for two years and still have some issues with it.

Good Luck!

[cgilsing]

It took me a long time to get over the fatigue. I don't really remember exactly how long as it just gradually went away but I know it was many months after I went gluten-free. I even saw a specialist to try and work out the problem (they didn't have any advice)...but I've been gluten-free for two years and I think I'm over it....so hang in there!

[swittenauer]

He has been exhausted since it all started. You would think that it would subside but no real luck so far. He has been checked from head to toe & they can't find any cause besides celiac in general. Time will tell.

[loraleena]

Yes, make sure he has his thyroid peroxidase antibodies checked. TSH is farely innacurate in a lot of people.

This test would signal Hashimotos hypothyroid. I would also get his adrenal function and DHEA levels checked.

[spetti]

Wow...I have been exhausted lately and never even thought it might be a side effect of my Celiac Disease. Thank you....I was afraid somthing new was coming at me.

I have been Gluten Free for a year now and had no symptoms for the last 6 months, but still experience some fatigue.

[Lymetoo]

He may respond to Armour Thyroid even if his TSH is within "normal" levels. I don't know that much about it, but I have responded to the Armour and my tests were all "normal".

Another possibility is Lyme disease. Any chance of that??