Resolved question:
I've been extremely lethargic for the last couple of weeks. In the last week, I've developed severe body aches (Mainly mid to lower back and hips), and I alternate between cold chills and hot flashes. I do not have a fever, but I feel very tired and weak. I'm a 29 y/o female with no prior pertinent medical history.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for choosing Doctorspring. I will be glad to help you.
I do understand that you are troubled by multiple symptoms in the last couple of weeks that you are worried about. You have provided good information , yet I would require you to answer a few more questions before I could come to a probable diagnosis and help you resolve your issue.
1.May I know your marital status and how sexually active you are?
2.May I know about your menstrual history? Are you having scanty periods and prolonged cycles?
3.Do you feel you had any unexplained weight gain recently?
Being a woman and in case you are sexually active I would always recommend you first have a home pregnancy test done before you proceed any further. If the test result is negative then I strongly recommend you have a thyroid profile done. Get your TSH , T3 and T4 levels done. In case your TSH levels turn out to be high then you have a clinical condition known as Hypothyroidism. All of your symptoms can be explained by this condition. If the lab results are indicative of Hypothyroidism then you will probably have to be started on levothyroxine tab daily under the guidance of your endocrinologist.
In case your thyroid profile turns out to be normal, then you may have to get your FSH,LH,Oestrogen levels done to rule out early menopause.
Hope this helps. I will be glad to answer any further queries.
Thank you.
Thank you for your reply. I have had my thyroid levels drawn in the last few months and they were all within normal limits. I am married (have been for 6 years) and am not pregnant. My menstrual cycle has always been sporadic and the cramping with my periods has always been extremely painful. I do not feel like I have had any unexplained weight gain recently. So, should I go to my PCP and ask them to check the FSH, LH, and estrogen levels?
The FSH, LH evaluation may be done as a part of a OBGYN evaluation in view of the sporadic menstrual bleeding and cramps. An ultrasound of the abdomen also may be needed.
HOWEVER - this currently symptoms aches, chills and flashes can be also due to a passing prolonged viral infection. In that case the infection and the symptoms will be self resolving. It might take upto 2 weeks.
So my recommendations would be :
1. Wait and watch for a week or more. Take nutritious food, drink plenty of water. Do no over exert.
2. If symptoms persists get a baseline evalaution - Complete blood count, Urine Routine.
3. Consider OBGYN evaluation if the test results are normal. This may included FSH, LH, Ultrasound.
Hope this helps
Feel free to ask followups
Thank you