Hello all - I’ve been having some worrying difficulties over the last year and so seeking a bit of guidance.
I’m 36, based in Essex, and was diagnosed Type 1 in 2015.
For the most part, I’ve handled it well (initially I adopted a healthy diet and took up weight training / martial arts).
I was disciplined and well controlled (my hba1c was sub 45 within 6 months of diagnosis…down from 132)
During the lockdowns in 2020, I struggled with mental health, weight gain and I lost control of things (75-85 hba1c)
My bloods are now more controlled and am back to a sub 58 level, however, over the last 12 months things have become problematic.
I’m at the stage where I’ve had almost 6 months off work due to being unable function reasonably on a daily basis. Sleep is a challenge and when I do sleep it’s for 13+ hours, maintaining an exercise regime extremely challenging due to both a steady decrease in muscularity and much longer recovery periods (from even the most basic workouts).
My GP had been excellent initially and ordered a number of tests but feel now the symptoms are being treated rather than the root causes.
So, I am borderline deficient in testosterone (9 nmol serum level), VITAMIN D & B12 - which is no doubt having a substantial impact.
However these are allegedly “normal” levels and whilst on “the low side” for the most part “should be fine” (exact words used!).
I naturally don’t have medical training though the changes to my body are telling me something is not right.
I have of course considered the natural decline that comes with age but just a year ago I could have quite happily completed 4 days heavy exercise per week.
It seems the NHS has much lower scales for what is considered deficient / sub optimal in many areas - despite widely available evidence to the contrary.
Instead, my problems have been labelled as symptoms of depression.
I really feel I need a 2nd opinion from an endocrinologist but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere at all and ironically is causing a resurgence of past mental health problems.
Does anyone have similar experiences on this front?
Open to all wisdom and advice able to share.
Best regards James
I’m 36, based in Essex, and was diagnosed Type 1 in 2015.
For the most part, I’ve handled it well (initially I adopted a healthy diet and took up weight training / martial arts).
I was disciplined and well controlled (my hba1c was sub 45 within 6 months of diagnosis…down from 132)
During the lockdowns in 2020, I struggled with mental health, weight gain and I lost control of things (75-85 hba1c)
My bloods are now more controlled and am back to a sub 58 level, however, over the last 12 months things have become problematic.
I’m at the stage where I’ve had almost 6 months off work due to being unable function reasonably on a daily basis. Sleep is a challenge and when I do sleep it’s for 13+ hours, maintaining an exercise regime extremely challenging due to both a steady decrease in muscularity and much longer recovery periods (from even the most basic workouts).
My GP had been excellent initially and ordered a number of tests but feel now the symptoms are being treated rather than the root causes.
So, I am borderline deficient in testosterone (9 nmol serum level), VITAMIN D & B12 - which is no doubt having a substantial impact.
However these are allegedly “normal” levels and whilst on “the low side” for the most part “should be fine” (exact words used!).
I naturally don’t have medical training though the changes to my body are telling me something is not right.
I have of course considered the natural decline that comes with age but just a year ago I could have quite happily completed 4 days heavy exercise per week.
It seems the NHS has much lower scales for what is considered deficient / sub optimal in many areas - despite widely available evidence to the contrary.
Instead, my problems have been labelled as symptoms of depression.
I really feel I need a 2nd opinion from an endocrinologist but I don’t seem to be getting anywhere at all and ironically is causing a resurgence of past mental health problems.
Does anyone have similar experiences on this front?
Open to all wisdom and advice able to share.
Best regards James
