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