# My GF has been markedly fatigued lately; help me help her please. **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 10, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522 "2004-05-10T21:40:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/1 "2004-05-10T21:40:33Z")
My GF of about 3 months hasn’t been feeling well lately and she seems reluctant to go to a doctor. She’s been pretty health conscious since I’ve known her (in the gym 6 days a week, eats well). About 2 weeks ago her energy level dropped drasticly. Lately, she’s been very tired most of the day, most days, though with a few hours here and there at normal or high energy levels. Also, she has been feeling constantly cold, despite 70 and 80 degree temps outside. Lately she’s often needed to wear many layers while I’m there sweating in a tee-shirt. I’m sure it isn’t depression or anything of that nature since there aren’t any other symptoms that would suggest that. She suggested that it might be possible that she could have developed an allergy to gluten which is causing the problem (since her mom has a gluten allergy) but after doing some research on that I don’t believe that is it. Still, she has cut gluten out of her diet, and has seriously lowered her carb intake. She has also recently began drinking a daily detox tea, and taking a multivitamin. Hmmm… I’m trying to think what else… She is concerned about her weight as she has recently gained some unexpected pounds (though I think she looks great, as the good BF I am 🙂 ) and I think she suspects this is related. She seems a bit cynical about seeing a doctor for this as apparently she’s had a similar problem in the past and saw multiple doctors with less than satisfying results. I’d personally like her to see a doctor about it and if it continues I will insist that she do so, but I’d love to get some info here if possible. I’m not even sure what questions to ask her. What other info can I obtain from her about her symptoms to get a more complete picture? Any suggestions about what might be the problem, or even what similar problems might be ruled out based on the info I’ve given? Oh and not sure if it’s related but she’s been PMSing the last few days. So that’s all the info I can think of right now. Please understand, I am not here as a substitute for going to a doctor. But the more info I can get here the better I’ll be at knowing how to help her decide who to go to and what to ask. ---
**Author:** ![cher3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/da6949/32.png) [@cher3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cher3)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/2 "2004-05-10T21:53:33Z")
I hope you won’t be too alarmed if I suggest a pregnancy test. Fatigue is definitely one of the early symptoms. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/3 "2004-05-10T22:15:06Z")
/Relating personal exprerience IANAD I was doing that with my UTI/kidney infections. I ended up having my uterus taken out, along with a fibroid the size of a cantalope. (The fibroid was pressing on my bladder, causing urine retention and infections. I’m much better now.) They left me the ovaries. The fibroid caused my periods to be hellacious, similiar to what you describe, except I had CRAMPS. Has she needed to pee a lot, and felt a bit of pressure or pain type feelings, burny? If she has an “spots” of blood in her pee, get her to a doctor pronto. The feeling cold worries me, what’s her temperature? Relating personal exprerience IANAD/ Maybe there’s more she’s not telling you? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/4 "2004-05-10T22:16:17Z")
Gah, more personal experience. The pain/burning/pressure when she pees could be a UTI/yeast type infection. Those need prompt attention! Good luck to you both. ---
**Author:** ![anson2995](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@anson2995](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anson2995)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/5 "2004-05-10T22:17:03Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > About 2 weeks ago her energy level dropped drasticly. Lately, she’s been very tired most of the day, most days, though with a few hours here and there at normal or high energy levels. Also, she has been feeling constantly cold, despite 70 and 80 degree temps outside. I was gonna say pregnancy, too,. Could also simply be the flu. Hard to reconcile someone who is both health concious and cyncical about doctors. That old saying about people who represent themselves in court having a fool for a client – applies to people who self-treat serious illnesses. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/6 "2004-05-10T22:18:45Z")
Definitely get her a pregnancy test. But also consider Myalgic Encephalitis aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. (IANAD yada) ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/7 "2004-05-10T22:32:22Z")
Thinking about it, Mr. Clawbane felt something like that when he had [Epstein-Barr Syndrome (Mono](http://my.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw168622.asp)). He was VERY tired, didn’t really want to eat, had cold/hot flashes, (fever going up and down) and had an incredibly plugged sinuses, and swollen glands/sore throat and finally a rash which clued in the doctors. It was a triumph for him when he could blow his nose. Helping him through that was no picnic, he was SICK. We think he got it from a certain fast food restaurant, because we knew someone who worked there at the time, and one of the workers had to take a break from work, they had it. Fast food workers, a simple message: **WASH YOUR HANDS please, thank you. Also, don’t sneeze on the food you are making.** There are many things it could be, she ought to go get it checked out. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/8 "2004-05-10T22:32:32Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > She’s been pretty health conscious since I’ve known her (in the gym 6 days a week, eats well). About 2 weeks ago her energy level dropped drasticly. Lately, she’s been very tired most of the day, most days, though with a few hours here and there at normal or high energy levels. Also, she has been feeling constantly cold, despite 70 and 80 degree temps outside. Lately she’s often needed to wear many layers while I’m there sweating in a tee-shirt. These are also classic symptoms of [hyporthyroidism](http://health.yahoo.com/health/ency/adam/000353/overview) which is not uncommon in women. She really needs to go to the doctor and get bloodwork done to rule out some possibilities. ---
**Author:** ![MoodIndigo1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e8c25b/32.png) [@MoodIndigo1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoodIndigo1)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/9 "2004-05-10T22:44:06Z")
Hypothyroidism is something that should be ruled out. Testing for TSH is pretty easy, though sometimes a slow thyroid is hard to diagnose with certainty. I had pretty much the same symptoms for over a year until it was diagnosed. Even the weight gain was related- not sure whether it’s related to the slower metabolism, or because of grabbing hi-carb snacks in order to feel warmer and more energetic. It sucked all around. However, mononucleosis is another possibility, especially if your GF is young. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/10 "2004-05-10T23:03:32Z")
> [@cher3](#): > > I hope you won’t be too alarmed if I suggest a pregnancy test. Fatigue is definitely one of the early symptoms. :eek: Actually, I’m pretty sure that isn’t it (and since she is currently PMSing I’ll know for sure fairly soon) since we’ve never had unprotected sex and I’m pretty positive she hasn’t had sex with others recently, nor would she ever have sex with anyone unprotected. > [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Has she needed to pee a lot, and felt a bit of pressure or pain type feelings, burny? If she has an “spots” of blood in her pee, get her to a doctor pronto. Nope, nothing like that. > [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > The feeling cold worries me, what’s her temperature? Haven’t taken it. I’m just going on her reports. But I will take it if it seems important to anyone here [/quote] > [@qts](#): > > But also consider Myalgic Encephalitis aka Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. > [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Thinking about it, Mr. Clawbane felt something like that when he had Epstein-Barr Syndrome (Mono). I was thinking of the things that you both mention, but I’m a bit confused. For some reason I was under the impression that CFS was caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. I had no idea that Mono was related to either. > [@tremorviolet](#): > > These are also classic symptoms of hyporthyroidism which is not uncommon in women. She really needs to go to the doctor and get bloodwork done to rule out some possibilities. Whoa!! This is the closest fit yet. Who does she go to to test for this? I would assume an endocrinologist. ---
**Author:** ![tremorviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@tremorviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tremorviolet)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/11 "2004-05-10T23:07:02Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > Whoa!! This is the closest fit yet. Who does she go to to test for this? I would assume an endocrinologist. It’s a really easy, standard test. Any doctor can order them so I’d go to a GP first. They can also check her iron levels to rule out anemia at the same time. Then, if she has a problem, the doctor can refer her to an endocrinologist. ---
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/12 "2004-05-10T23:31:34Z")
I immediately thought Thryoid, and I’d bet $ that’s what it is. My mother, girlfriend, and girlfriend’s mother all have hypothyroidism, and those were their first three major symptoms - fatigure, cold intolerance, and unintentional weight gain. It’s an easy test and an easier fix- just taking a synthetic thyroid hormone pill each day. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2004, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/13 "2004-05-10T23:54:19Z")
Me: Hun, I want you to get tested for Hypothyroidism Her: Already did, had it for years. Me: :smack: It turns out she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (via Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) in her teens. She claims the doctor told her at some point that, based on her hormone levels, it went away and that she would no longer need the hormone replacements. Based on the cites I’ve just read including [this](http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hashimoto.htm), it would seem that this is just downright wrong. > [@](#): > > This medication will, in most cases, need to be taken for the rest of the patient’s life… > > _snip_ > > …If left untreated, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis can cause further complications, including changes in menstrual cycles, prevention of ovulation, and an increased risk of miscarriage. Should I be pissed off right now? Is there any reason why a doctor would discontinue the hormone replacement therapy for someone with this diagnosis? ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/14 "2004-05-11T00:00:20Z")
Epstein-Barr is the more technical name for Mononucleosis. Commonly known as mono. I don’t think it’s the same as CFS, maybe it’s one of the things that is mistaken for CFS, or it can cause it? Read the link I provided, just to be certain. Any way, encourage her to get to the doctor, and get tested to see what is behind this. Help her go through with all the poking and prodding, urge her to do it so she finally knows what the deal is. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Zabali\_Clawbane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/ecd19e/32.png) [@Zabali\_Clawbane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zabali_Clawbane)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/15 "2004-05-11T00:03:11Z")
Wow, looks like I hit reply just as your post was coming up **Moe**. Sheesh, yeah I’d feel upset with such a bad mistake on the part of the physician. IANAD, but I would think discontinuing a needed medicine like that would be ill advised indeed. I hope she gets treatment, and gets better. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/16 "2004-05-11T00:27:46Z")
> [@Zabali\_Clawbane](#): > > Help her go through with all the poking and prodding, urge her to do it so she finally knows what the deal is. Good luck. I’m happy to say she is going to the doctor tomorrow. A thank you to you and **tremorviolet** and everyone else who reponded. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/17 "2004-05-11T00:40:57Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > I’m happy to say she is going to the doctor tomorrow. A thank you to you and **tremorviolet** and everyone else who reponded. My darling Marcie has this Hashimoto’s condition and has taken Synthroid for years. She says she was told that prolonged stress can be a factor in this condition. If you GF gets a chance to ask, we’d like to know if her doctor concurs. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/18 "2004-05-11T02:06:16Z")
Well, there seems to be just one more little detail to the story. In her efforts to eat healthier she has recently been consuming lots and lots of soy products (like, 3 meals a day!). Unfortunately, it appears that soy products actually exacerbate thyroid problems. [cite](http://dcnutrition.com/news/Detail.CFM?RecordNumber=482) [cite](http://thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinfo/a/soy.htm) I’m not sure if she’s going to go to the doctor, though I still would feel better if she did since all the cites I’ve read claim you should be on hormone therapy for life regardless of the presence of symptoms. She says she’s been fine for over 10 years, and with this sudden incidence correspending to the sudden soy intake, I’m confident we’ve found the problem. But I did tell her your question **LouisB** so if she goes to the doctor and asks I’ll report back. ---
**Author:** ![Abbie\_Carmichael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/49beb7/32.png) [@Abbie\_Carmichael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abbie_Carmichael)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/19 "2004-05-11T02:21:55Z")
Could it be diabetes? The only thing that makes me think “no” is that she’s gaining weight. Usually you’re losing weight when you’re diagnosed. But the fatigue and everything else makes me wonder. Is she having burning while peeing? Lots of diabetic women get yeast infections which can cause other problems down there, and you can have a yeast infection and not know it. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522/20 "2004-05-11T03:44:39Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > It turns out she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (via Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) in her teens. She claims the doctor told her at some point that, based on her hormone levels, it went away and that she would no longer need the hormone replacements. Based on the cites I’ve just read including [this](http://www.4woman.gov/faq/hashimoto.htm), it would seem that this is just downright wrong. > > Should I be pissed off right now? Is there any reason why a doctor would discontinue the hormone replacement therapy for someone with this diagnosis? I wouldn’t be too pissed. Up to 20 percent of Hashimoto’s recover spontaneously, so a trial off replacement is not unreasonable and certainly not irrational. [Reference #1](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1977978) [Reference #2](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1732791) [Reference #3](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7794089) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-gf-has-been-markedly-fatigued-lately-help-me-help-her-please/244522.md?page=2)