Blood Tests For Fatigue And Weight Gain

Symptoms Of Adrenal Fatigue

Traditional allopathic Western medicine doesnt recognize adrenal fatigue, even though the changes it can cause are now starting to be confirmed by science. Referring to it as exhaustion syndrome research from Umeå University in Sweden has found that people suffering adrenal fatigue have lower activity in their frontal lobes and also altered regulation of cortisol.

The study also found that people more prone to this condition are often over-achievers and perfectionists. This is not news to functional and integrative practitioners who see women suffering from this problem every day. They arrive feeling absolutely at the end of the line and suffering from these kinds of chronic complaints:

What Is It Used For

An ACTH test is often done along with a cortisol test to diagnose disorders of the pituitary or adrenal glands. These include:

• Cushing’s syndrome, a disorder in which the adrenal gland makes too much cortisol. It may be caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland or the use of steroid medicines. Steroids are used to treat inflammation, but can have side effects that effect cortisol levels.
• Cushing’s disease, a form of Cushing’s syndrome. Cushing’s disease is usually caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. The tumor makes too much ACTH. This causes the adrenal glands to make too much cortisol.
• Addison disease, a condition in which the adrenal gland doesn’t make enough cortisol.
• Hypopituitarism, a disorder in which the pituitary gland does not make enough of some or all of its hormones.

Implications For Clinical Practice

These findings, in combination with the low re-consultation rate of patients after 4 weeks, the lack of striking differences in diagnoses and blood test results in the postponement group compared to the immediate test ordering group, and the finding that the limited set is as good as or even better than the expanded fatigue-specific one , reinforce the advice of the Dutch College of General Practitioners: try to postpone blood-test ordering in patients with initially unexplained fatigue, and if blood tests are ordered, limit the tests to haemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glucose, and thyroid-stimulating hormone. GPs, in their decisions to order blood tests immediately or try to postpone this, need to balance up the yield of immediate, elaborate test ordering with the high risk of false-positive test results on one hand, and the diagnostic delay in the relatively few diagnoses when postponing blood-test ordering on the other, considering that the majority of patients do not revisit their GP for their complaints within 4 weeks.

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How Common Is Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a rare form of cancer, accounting for less than 1% of all cancer cases in the UK. Each year, around 2,700 people are diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the UK.

It’s most common in people aged 35 to 39 years and in those aged 70 years or over.

Women are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop thyroid cancer than men. It’s unclear why this is, but it may be a result of the hormonal changes associated with the female reproductive system.

Testing For Autoimmune Diseases

TPOAb- (thyroid peroxidase antibodies- Reference ranges-0-35iu/ml

These antibodies are linked to the hypothyroidism observed in Hashimotos.

TgAb – Reference ranges-0-4.0iu/ml

For those who had surgery to remove their thyroid, thyroglobulin levels are checked to determine whether any tumor is left or if any thyroid remains.

TSI– Graves disease- Reference ranges-0-1.3

This test measures the amount of thyroid-stimulating immunoglobulin in your blood. These antibodies tell the thyroid gland to release excess amounts of thyroid hormone into the blood. These antibodies are consistent with Graves disease.

Tg– No thyroid gland: 0-0.1 ng/ml Still have a gland:0-33ng/ml

This test is completed after a patient has had the complete removal of their thyroid. The Tg level in the blood sample verifies whether there is any cancerous tumor left behind.

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These Athletes Use Blood Testing To Prevent Overtraining

If athletes experience a constantly high-cortisol state, they face a greater risk of chronic fatigue, high blood glucose levels, and even weight gain

My test results from InsideTracker had the direct effect of improving my performance by helping me identify and address the specific needs of my body, but they also gave me the confidence boost of knowing that, aside from those minor, fixable issues, I was ready to train hard for the biggest race of my life. – Kris Brown

CrossFitter Raphael “Rufio” Durand also uses blood testing to gauge his intensity and determine when he needs to take a break and recover efficiently. Rufio found that when certain biomarkers such as cortisol and creatine kinase are elevated, he is unable to recover properly. Creatine kinase is an enzyme that rises when muscle damage occurs. Test results of this biomarker allow athletes to see how their bodies react to training load and intensity. CK peaks about two to four days after intense exercise and returns to normal levels over the course of a few days, depending on the intensity of the exercise. This study showed that the CK levels of marathon runners are elevated after endurance training and competition, and took about 7-14 days post-marathon to return back to baseline.

For me, theres nothing harder than being told to rest, but InsideTracker helps me understand why its valuable. – Raphael “Rufio” Durand

This Athlete Used Blood Testing In Preparation For The Olympics

Vitamin D plays many essential roles in the body, especially regarding athletic performance. For starters, the vitamin increases muscle mass and strength, improves bone health , increases the size and number of the muscle fibers used for short bursts of speed and power, and improves lower body strength. Furthermore, adequate Vitamin D can reduce inflammation in the body, specifically the inflammatory marker CRP. This meta-analysis from the journal Nutrients found that vitamin D supplementation can lower serum CRP levels by 20%. Whats more, according to this randomized control trial, low vitamin D levels can also lead to decreased testosterone, especially in men. Testosterone is an anabolic hormone produced in both men and women that helps increase bone strength and stimulates muscle mass and strength.

Through blood testing with InsideTracker, Olympian Sara Hammer and her coach were provided blood-based insights about her vitamin D status and provided her with a set of evidence-based interventions to effectively increase it. Sarah went on to win two Olympic silver medals in track cycling.

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Basic Female Hormone Panel:

This group of blood tests comprises Total Estrogens, Progesterone, and Testosterone Woman/Child. When these hormones are imbalanced, cardiovascular disease increases, just as metabolic imbalances and risk of cancer increases.

By knowing all about Type of blood tests with abbreviations, you can avert any possible health ailment by taking swift action immediately.

Medically Reviewed By

Maanasi specializes in health topics including diet and nutrition. A mother of an untiring seven year old, she enjoys nurturing her love affair with English. She is often found nestled with a book, plopped against a dozen pillows, smiling away at the brink of finishing yet another book of the many dozens, that adorn the shelves of her Mini Library!

Thyroid Hormone Replacement Options

Levothyroxine/T4- The standard of care treatment for hypothyroidism is a daily dose of synthetic thyroxine, referred to as L-thyroxine or L-T4. FYI Levothyroxine is the most prescribed thyroid hormone replacement.

Synthroid- The brand name of the synthetic compound T4 used to treat hypothyroidism.

Levoxyl- This hormone was pulled from the market in 2013 due to a suspicious odor from the packaging. This recall caused Levoxyl to be off the market for about a year, so many consumers changed to alternatives. As a result, Pfizer lost their share of the market.

Levothroid- A generic T4 hormone that is no longer manufactured.

Tirosint –The brand name for Levothyroxine is designed for people with allergies to fillers and dyes found in traditional formulations. These soft gel capsules contain no dyes, gluten, alcohol, lactose, or sugar. In addition to T4, Tirosint contains only three inactive ingredients: gelatin, glycerin, and water.

Liothyronine/T3- The synthetic version of the T3 thyroid hormone.

Cytomel- The brand name for Liothyronine.

Compounded Hormones- These prescriptions combine T3 and T4 into a single dose, allowing your body to use the T3 and convert the T4 as needed. These prescriptions are only available at a compounding pharmacy.

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Distinction From Addisons Disease

Adrenal fatigue is closely related to, but not to be confused with, Addisons Disease, a disorder characterized by insufficient cortisol production due either to a pathology directly affecting the adrenals or a disruption of signaling between the brain and the adrenals. While symptoms of Addisons Disease are similar to adrenal fatigue, the primary difference is that adrenal fatigue is considered a possible result of the overuse of otherwise healthy adrenal glands due to stress.

The adrenals are necessary to have gluconeogenesis to take place in the liver, as well as the glycogen storage where it stimulates the production of blood glucose, says Dr. Wilson. So, most of the major symptoms of either adrenal fatigue or Addisons Disease are a result of either a lack of cortisol or a lack of blood glucose and the many effects that it has systematically throughout the body.

He theorizes, Unlike Addisons, adrenal fatigue doesnt have a pathological origin, with the exception of the overuse of antibiotics which may partially shut down the use of the adrenal glands. So, you do get different symptoms with versus adrenal fatigue, because youre talking about the difference between a body that cant secrete cortisol versus a body that isnt secreting sufficient cortisol.

Questions You May Be Asked

These are to help give some clues about the cause of the tiredness, and may include:

• Do you have any other symptoms?
• Sleep: Do you sleep well? Is your sleep interrupted? Do you snore? Has your partner noticed any changes to your breathing at night?
• Mood: Do you feel low, or more worried than usual? Are you under any stress? You may be asked to complete a specific questionnaire about your mood.
• Has your weight changed?
• Do you have heavy periods?
• How much alcohol do you drink?
• Are you on any medication?
• Can you remember when this started? Did it start suddenly and can you date it from a particular date, event, holiday or illness? Or did it come on more gradually?
• How is the tiredness affecting you in your everyday life?

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An Overworked Liver Leads To Symptoms Of Hormonal Imbalance

Your liver is also crucially important to good hormonal balance. Through its detoxification power, your liver keeps your sex hormones regulated and eliminates excess hormones an ongoing job. But if your liver isnt able to complete its tasks due to too many accumulated toxins, youll suffer from symptoms of hormonal imbalance.This important but little-known connection between your liver and your hormones can lead to one of the most frustrating symptoms of hormonal imbalance: stubborn weight gain. Other common symptoms include fatigue, brain fog and acne.

Try A Variety Of Relaxation Approaches

• Keep your focus here and now: Try to live through your senses, not just your head. The more mindful you are, the more this will help to reduce your cortisol levels.
• Take a break in nature: This can not only reduce your stress hormones, but also boosts natural killer cells that increase your immunity.
• Enjoy regular touch: Through hugs, making love or enjoying a massage. Enjoyable physical contact triggers the release of oxytocin, which has calming impacts.

Dont:

• Persist with meditation if its not working for you: Try visualization or listening to soothing music with your eyes closed. Chanting for just 12 minutes a day can also reduce stress levels and lower inflammation in people who are stressed.
• Slouch: Instead strike a power pose. Try the victory pose and the wonder woman pose . Research from Harvard University shows that these kinds of poses, drop your cortisol and raise your testosterone, so you feel more in control and more able to handle risks and tricky situations. Amy Cuddy, who is an expert in this area, gives a fantastic Ted talk about the impact of body language on hormones and emotional states.

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Lupus Signs Symptoms And Co

Lupus affects everyone differently, but certain signs and symptoms are common. In addition, other conditions, such as fibromyalgia, occur commonly in people with lupus but are not directly due to disease activity. These co-occuring conditions are known to doctors as comorbidities. Several signs, symptoms, and comorbidites of lupus are detailed below.

Hormones That Can Cause Your Fatigue Weight Gain And Mood Changes

Something we know for sure is this we all have hormones. These chemical messengers in your body are sent to your organs and tissues to perform a certain function. The communication that happens between your hormones and organs control major metabolic processes within your body, such as mood, energy, weight, temperature regulation and even digestion. An imbalance in these little guys are often what causes us to look at our health a little more closely, because its only until they are not working optimally that we remember we even have them.

Well discuss some of the most common hormone imbalances we see in our patients. Sometimes when you identify one hormone imbalance, you may find that it could be linked to another hormone imbalance, giving you the pieces of the puzzle you have been looking for!

1. Thyroid:

What you may experience with suboptimal thyroid:

• Feeling tired and exhausted
• Feelings of coldness in hands and feet
• Insomnia
• Thin/scanty eyebrows
• Thinning, dry and brittle hair
• Scattered brain

2. Cortisol:

What you may experience with an imbalance in cortisol:

• Poor stress response

3. Insulin:

What you may experience when insulin resistance is present:

• Blurred vision

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I Cant Shed Any Pounds No Matter How Little Or How Well I Eat

Blame it on: High and low cortisol

Do you:

• Hate getting dressed in the morning because you have to find new ways to disguise the extra kilos that keeping appearing on your belly?
• Feel distressed by unpredictable fluid retention that makes you look puffy in the face, tummy and legs?
• Struggle to shed any kilos or even just maintain your current dress size even though you eat right for your body and exercise regularly?
• Complain that even if you ate nothing but air you still wouldnt lose any weight?

Then its highly likely you have adrenal fatigue. Its well accepted that stress and weight gain go hand in hand.

The culprit? Cortisol. The impacts of high cortisol can easily be seen in people who suffer Cushings disease, a condition that causes chronic excess cortisol. Cushings sufferers experience round puffy faces, high blood pressure and weight gain, particularly around the belly and chest.

But similar side effects can occur if you are exposed to sustained stress. Suddenly you pack on more pounds even though youre not eating more food. And exercise doesnt shift it either.

Box 1 Complaint Group

• Alkaline phosphatase
• Transferrin saturation

aTests in italics are part of the limited Dutch College of General Practitioners’ test set.

Electronic medical records were searched for complaint-related GP entries during a 1-year follow-up period. A final categorisation of complaints was performed in a three-step process. First, two of the authors independently searched the electronic medical records for all complaint-related GP entries and summarised these into one diagnosis per patient. Secondly, these patient-specific summaries were categorised into the following groups:

• Somatic illnesses detectable by blood-test ordering

• Somatic illnesses not detectable by blood-test ordering

• Psychosocial illnesses

• Syndromes

• Complaints not otherwise specified or

• Other .

In steps 1 and 2, consensus was reached by discussion. In case of disagreement, two members of the research team both experienced GPs arbitrated. Finally, the categories were dichotomised as somatic illnesses detectable by blood-test ordering, or otherwise.

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General Exercise Tips For People With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Be guided by your doctor or specialist, but general suggestions include:

• Experiment to find the type of exercise that works best for you. Choose from a range of gentle activities such as stretching, yoga, tai chi, walking and light weight training.
• Keep an activity diary so you have a long-term picture of your performance levels and factors that might impact on your symptoms.
• Stop the physical activity well before you feel any symptom flare. Pacing yourself is very important.
• Remember that the amount of exercise you can do will change from one day to the next.
• Listen to your body if you dont feel up to exercising on a particular day, dont.
• Find out as much as you can about your ME/CFS. Make sure you consult with health professionals who fully understand ME/CFS as a ‘real’ biomedical condition.

Strengths And Limitations Of The Study

Most of the diagnoses from the category somatic illness detectable by blood-test ordering were actually partly established by abnormal test results . This incorporation bias unfortunately precluded the valid estimation of sensitivity, specificity, or predictive values of blood-test ordering, because it would cause biased overestimation of these parameters.

For the presentation of the data, the data of all patients who had their blood tests ordered at the first consultation were combined, regardless of the randomisation group of their GPs. This influenced the results of the two-by-two tables at baseline. Two-by-two tables were constructed for the 27 patients from the postponement group, whom nevertheless had their blood tests ordered at baseline as well, to find out whether there were striking differences. This was not the case. Furthermore, the kind of diagnoses established in this group was not different.

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