Help, doctors have given up trying to figure out what’s wrong!

How's your sleep?

Sleep apnea can really mess you up. (Voice of experience.)

@kitsu73 strange that all you symptoms seem to point at thyroid dysfunction but nobody can find anything g wrong with it! Are you in the States … or Canada …?

I’m no expert, but I’ll just share some thoughts that come to mind based on my experiences. Everyone is different, but some things to consider:

Right before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, I was totally exhausted. Could barely force myself to get to work then back to bed or couch. Blood tests revealed why and symptoms resolved after starting meds. If your numbers are ok….it might because it’s ok.

Right before I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, I had gained weight. Soon thereafter I lost. Have they checked your A1C? If it’s high, what do they recommend? Meds?

Have you had your vitamin levels checked? Low B12 and D can cause a lot of symptoms. Test before starting them. Some people don’t absorb them well. I take sublingual B12 or injections. Huge improvement.

Have you consulted with a nutritionist? They can help comprise a plan of the nutrients you need each day that meets your needs. I learned how much I need for protein, whole grains, healthy fats, etc. Initially, having this in writing and following it meticulously can help. A food journal is also very helpful so you can show your doctor what you eat. Saying you eat well doesn’t carry much weight with doctors. I have found that often people often underestimate the calories they consume. If you actually weigh and measure each serving, you’ll see the actual calories. Healthy food calories still count. I found that writing down the calories was helpful and I have lost almost 100 pounds. I exercise too, but the diet is the most important.

I had my body fat/weight analyzed on a MyBody350 machine that calculates what your individual body needs to get to ideal level. It’s good to have that report when you meet with the nutritionist.

Good luck with everything. It’s so frustrating to be uncomfortable with your health situation.

Did they check your parathyroid?

@scottrl i was going to suggest the same, having a sleep test might add some insight. Also, magnesium test?

Everybody is different, but I was having the same problem with the weight loss issue. I am 66 and was biking 60 miles a week, playing pickleball and eating 1500 calories a day for a year and a half and not losing an ounce. I had RAI so don't have a thyroid. I say my metabolism was frozen. Doctors said there was nothing wrong. Finally my Chiropractor suggested I see a functional medicine doctor. It was pricey and insurance doesn't cover, but worth it! She ran 67 different blood tests and 33 of them were off. No one had run a complete thyroid test and mine showed T3 was way off and I had a thyroid conversion disorder. I also had insulin resistance syndrome, phosphorous and magnesium deficiencies etc. She put me on supplements and a detoxification regimen. It has been 3 months. I have lost 14 pounds with only about 10 more to be where I want to be. It is snowy out so I am walking instead of biking. It has kept the pounds off.

Hello dear. I might suggest you see a psychiatrist. You mentioned being on the same medication for your bipolar disorder “forever”. It’s a well known fact that most psychotropic medications have the side effect of weight gain. Also some of these medications loose their effectiveness overtime. My reasoning is that you have visited several physicians and had extensive testing and the problem continues. Good luck!

It can be done, but it’s very difficult to lose weight without exercise to jump start your metabolism. There are many exercises that can be tailored to a variety of medical conditions. If your PCP can’t help, perhaps discuss a short course of physical therapy to help you get on an exercise routine that won’t exacerbate your medical conditions.

I don’t advise this but I lost 50 pounds in one year without exercise by eating 5 -7 low-fat yogurt a day. I also ate 6-8 servings of fruits and veggies a day. Didn’t eat much else and rarely ate at restaurants. I was never hungry. Restaurant food has tons of calories. Keep a baggie of cut fruit or veggies with you so u don’t get hungry.

Instead of limiting food, I am a believer in daily minimums. These are just highlights. But start with daily minimum of 6 servings of fruits and veggies per day (you also need a daily minimum of protein or u will lose muscle instead of fat). If after 2 weeks there is no change, increase your daily minimum of veggies. Keep doing this every 2 weeks. Remember not to cook or add with any high calorie ingredients. I generally steam veggies or eat raw (no ranch dressing or the like). I like to make smoothies. These are just cursory recommendations.

It may sound weirdest, but there lies the deepest truth: We cannot WANT to be in reasonably good health and fitness unless there is a Reason for us to use our time-on-earth FOR what we Want most, also known as Our Purpose in life.

This is what helps me get up each day after a well rested sleep to work toward what I Want From My Life. Such purpose needs to be More than just Wanting health, because then I might ask myself: Why do I Need Good Health?

This is why it can be hard to simply want-and-achieve healthy and fit body.

This is what has helped me stay in reasonably strong fit body all thru my life of 82 years. I eat sensibly and and am physically active Each day and accept that what I want in life is only partly in MY control (such as food, exertion, stress control) and not what is outside, such as old age infirmities.

I also use no meds, no tests (except for eyesight) no supplements or special diet, all on a fairly low budget and haven't seen my doctor for over ten years now and not much before either.

I wish you luck.

@sisyphus I agree with you. I am at my unhappiest and heaviest when I have nothing to do in life. I tried to retire and got fat and hopelessly depressed and ate all the time.

I decided to go back to school and go back to work at 70. I am going to live another 30 years because God can't be done with me yet - I have things He needs me to do and I need to be healthy and fit to do it. He says I am to be healthy and happy to inspire others who struggle with life.

So I began "getting back out there" and smiling and being happy and focusing on making others smile and see being old as a good thing.

God bless you...what an inspiration you are!