Reese came to Your Doctors Online complaining that she couldn’t stay awake. Read how our doctors helped her with hypothyroidism.
45-year-old with weight gain, fatigue, constipation, and hair loss
I am a very health-conscious person. I monitor my weight and follow a strict diet plan to keep everything in check. However, during the past month, I had gained around 10 pounds. It was simply unexplainable because I had made no modifications to my exercise routine or made any dietary changes.
I was also experiencing worsening constipation and had to take extra fiber and laxatives more often. To add to the symptoms, I also started experiencing drastic hair loss and hair thinning. Shortly afterward, I started skipping my morning jogging routine due to constant fatigue that prevailed throughout the day, no matter what I did.
I can’t stay awake past 9 pm!
These were not typical aging signs, but I was confident. One night, I forced myself to attend a party at my best friend’s place due to her persistent requests. At 9 pm, my eyelids were drooping, and I felt energy-depleted. My friends and colleagues of my age were very active, and I was falling apart.
My friend found me to be sitting in a secluded corner. She gave me a puzzled look and came up to me. After asking if I was okay, she told me I looked ill and needed to get myself checked because I used to be the life of the party, and now she barely recognized me.
Reaching home, I crashed on the sofa. I went for my phone and started searching online why I couldn’t stay awake, but I soon realized that consulting an online doctor was a better option. I downloaded the Your Doctors Online application, and a doctor connected with me within 5 minutes.
Dr. Farrukh asked me numerous questions about facial puffiness, cold intolerance, dry skin, memory issues, menstrual cycles, and joint stiffness and took a detailed family history.
The doctor was very thorough with her questioning, and to my dismay, I had several of these symptoms and had failed to identify them. I was also experiencing joint and body aches, dry skin, and facial puffiness daily.
The tiny butterfly-shaped gland in front of my neck was causing all my symptoms!
After a detailed history, the doctor told me that my symptoms indicated a condition known as hypothyroidism. She also explained that the thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland present at the front of the neck and is responsible for producing several hormones that help regulate various functions in the body. Hypothyroidism occurs when your body doesn’t have enough thyroid hormones. That is what caused the broad spectrum of symptoms.
She also explained that the most common cause of hypothyroidism was Hashimoto’s thyroiditis which was an autoimmune condition. Still, there were several other causes, including removal of part of the thyroid gland, radiation or being on certain medications, etc.
The online doctor advised me to check my thyroid profile.
She advised me to make an appointment with my primary care physician so that my thyroid profile could be checked. I was highly grateful for the diagnosis but anxious about the treatment.
The doctor informed me that this was a life-long condition. I was simply glad that there was a treatment for my situation, and now I can find a solution to why I can’t stay awake. The treatment included taking synthetic thyroxine pills containing a hormone precisely like the one the thyroid gland produces, which helps overcome the deficiency.
I felt reassured after conversing with an online doctor!
The doctor informed me that it takes several weeks to notice relief. She told me I would require follow-up blood tests to monitor my progress. She informed me that an endocrinologist would create an individualized treatment plan for me based on my reports.
After chatting with an online doctor on Your Doctors Online, I felt reassured as I gained insight into my condition before visiting a doctor in person.
