QuestionHello. I have my blood work taken about every 3-6 months before my doctor will refill my sleep medicines (not sure why they are done so often). Anyway, several of my results have been declining each time and this past test I was low for several. I am Vitamin D deficient, my thyroid count is low, and platelet count is low. I believe she mentioned others but I cannot recall. Is there any relationship between the three that I mentioned? My symptoms have been quite odd. I've had symptoms of what I expect someone with adult A.D.D. would experience. I will ask someone a question and half way through their response, I realize I was thinking about something else and didn't even hear what they said. I have been having short-term memory losses (e.g., I have worked with a guy for about a year and see him almost daily and I couldn't think of his name for about 10 minutes the other day). I am in my thirties, so this is frightening. I am completely exhausted all the time, but it's hard to know if that is a symptom of something or just the result of how many hours a week I work (50-75). I have a complete intolerance for cold. I sit by a little heater all the time and move it with me from room to room. I also have cramps (feels like nerves jumping) in my feet (not in legs). Finally, I wake up in the night occasionally with my heart racing.
The only thing my doctor has done so far is order an ultrascan of my thyroid. I had it done Friday so I do not know the results. I am concerned with all these symptoms and the combination of low lab results. I have been reading on the internet and it sounds like anything that causes low platelet counts is not good. Should I be concerned? Should I insist on any specific other testing?
Thank you for taking the time to help me!
AnswerHi,
Please be aware that the information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be interpreted as medical advice. This information is being provided for informational purposes only. Your own physician is the best resource to interpret your specific laboratory results and should be consulted for medical advice regarding your own specific health condition
What Rx and non Rx medications are you currently taking (including supplements if applicable) ?
What Rx sleep medication are you taking? Are you taking any other type of Rx medications? If so, what? Is low platelet count a reported side effect of any of those medications? Are you taking asprin, ibuprofen, or a blood thinner?
Do you have a copy of your lab results?
Did you have a thyroid panel done? TSH, T4, T3, etc.? If so, what were the results?
http://www.directlabs.com/Resources/Thyroid/tabid/290/language/en-US/Default.asp...
It is difficult to speculate on the cause of the symptoms you are experiencing without knowing which of your specific lab testing results were out of range and what their specific values were.
Can you provide the specific lab testing results and their values that were out of range? The specific lab tests and their specific values are necessary to determine whether your symptoms could be related to your lab values based on the symptoms you mention.
Please be aware also that your lab results and all of your medical records legally belong to you. Therefore you can and should request copies of them if you want to further evaluate them yourself or have them evaluated by others. Your doctor should be able to mail or fax these to you.
Here are normal reference ranges.
http://pathcuric1.swmed.edu/PathDemo/nrrt.htm#Hematology
Since you mention that your thyroid results indicate a low thyroid function and a scan of your thyroid was ordered, it appears your physician is ordering additional clinical testing with the goal of obtaining a definitive diagnosis.
The symptoms you mention such as sensitivity to cold can be symptomatic of a low thyroid but without knowing the specific thyroid lab results these symptoms could also be related to other causes.
Also please be aware that lack of sleep, especially if it is ongoing, adversely and significantly affects memory and overall mental and physical functioning in an otherwise normally functioning individual. If you are working 50-75 hrs./wk. it seems unlikely that working this many hours/wk. would be possible without affecting your ability to get 8 hrs. sleep/night which is necessary for most people for normal bodily functioning (mental and physical).
Have you advised your doctor of your work hours? If not, and if you are working this many hours/wk. on anything other than a transient basis, I would strongly suggest advising your doctor of your work hours and if they are interfering with your sleep, i.e. if you are not getting at least of 8 hrs. of sleep per night, if you are financially able to do so you may want to advise your doctor of this and of your symptoms and ask your doctor to write a letter and/or medical certification to your employer advising them that you need to scale back on your work hours to no more than 40 hrs./wk for health reasons at least until your medical condition can be accurately diagnosed and successfully treated.
Most companies have a designated individual, such as a corporate health department or nurse or HR to receive and handle employee medical accommodation requests if you do not feel comfortable sharing the diagnosis or other personal medical information with your supervisor.
