Sunday, November 25, 2012

I Was Right

This may possibly be one of the happiest posts I will ever write. I FINALLY have an answer to my chronic health issues. And best of all it can be treated.

I went back to the doctor today to get the results of my blood test. She printed it all out for me and it was all fairly normal - I had a really high HDL reading (yay) and elevated bilirubin levels (I have Gilbert's Disease which is really a condition not a disease and is fairly benign). But the thing that stood out most was testosterone deficiency. I don't have enough of it and I have a hugely elevated SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) which is basically making whatever testosterone I produce ineffective.

No wonder I can't run like I used to. My muscles have become weak and pathetic and I can't recover after sessions.

The reason why my SHBG is so high is because I've been on the pill for the past two years. Apparently this is a side-effect of the pill that only occurs in some people but I was totally unaware of it.

So the next step is treatment. I nearly cried when my doctor said she wanted to send me to a specialist. The last thing I want to do is wait again. It took me almost two months to see the gastro-enterologist. She could see how disappointed I was so she rang up someone while I was with her and spun a big sob story and the upshot was that I got an appointment this Friday.

I LOVE MY GP!!

I got home a little while ago and rang the specialist just to find out exactly the location of their office and in the meanwhile someone had cancelled their appointment. I get to see her tomorrow. Tomorrow will be the day when I start to get better again.

It's going to take some time. It's taken a long time to get to this point so I can't expect to feel better overnight. BUT I can expect to feel better.

The upshot of this post, though, is that ultimately it is up to you to keep pushing for a diagnosis if you feel like the one you've been given doesn't quite fit. I know doctor's hate it, but use the internet for research. If I hadn't kept looking I would still be clueless about my condition. I'd still be thinking it was post viral fatigue even though I couldn't remember having a virus. Keep looking till you find answers.

The other thing that I learnt through this process is that women are not routinely tested for testosterone levels. So if you're having unexplained fatigue and weakness, not sleeping well, have low libido, incontinence and even sore breasts you might want to get it tested - especially if you're on the pill.

And last but not least - I was right!

16 comments:

  1. This is a great outcome Char! I'm so happy that you will soon be on the road to recovery :) I hope it's a speedy road too!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Best news ever! I've had all of those tests - interesting about your SHBG :) Hope you feel a million bucks shortly!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Darn it, Liz said exactly what I was going to say in her first sentence!! But I'll just also add how happy I am for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I've never heard of any of those tests.... but I'm so glad you kept pushing.

    Can't wait to hear how you go!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Woo hoo!!!! Good for you for being proactive with your health and not giving up and just accepting what the medical profession was telling you, when you knew in your hearth it wasn't right. Good luck with your appointment with the new Doc tomorrow, hope it goes well!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow, I'm so happy for you that you finally have a proper answer. Thank goodness you can get treated now and soon you will be putting the rest of us in the shade again with your awesome speed!

    ReplyDelete
  7. That's so fantastic! Not that you went through it, but that you have an answer and a solution! Yipee!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Char thanks for your recent words of encouragement. I'm glad to see you are still pushing hard to maintain your health I will take a leaf out of your book and do the same.

    Thanks again and stay well.

    ReplyDelete
  9. YAY!!! Char this post made me SOOOOOOO happy to read :) ps...your "surprise" is still sitting on my desk I hope to mail it today! lol I suck.

    Anyway, I know my aunt always says I should get my estrogen tested but I've never even thought that testosterone could be an issue. I told Colin that I think I have a parasite because I'm extremely tired all the time, but not in a "I want to have a nap" way. It's more like my body is exhausted. I did find out I was anemic but the iron doesn't seem to be making too many changes....maybe this is something I should look into.

    I am SOOOOOOOOO happy you can finally start treatment and get back to your normal self. This was quite the long journey for you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a relief to finally have an explanation for all if this! Great news on getting in for the specialist so quickly. Good luck!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It must feel soo good to know what was going on and to know it's treatable! Fantastic. Things are looking up. Hang in there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This is great. You must be so happy to know what is going on. And now you can do something about it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Eureka! I'm SO glad you persisted and finally discovered what's ailing you. SO SO happy for you!

    ReplyDelete
  14. So happy that you got some answers and that you will soon start treatment! Hope you see immediate improvement!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am so happy for you, Char! That is fantastic news! And yay for you for persevering and not letting it go! Great lesson!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I love hearing from you.