In need of PROFESSIONAL medical advice..Weight gain, tiredness, overly thirsty (even w/ high water intake).etc?
First of all, what I’m really hoping for is that someone in the medical field, or someone who has had these symptoms can shed some light on the subject so that I may do further research and/or let a doctor know what I "Think" it may be so that I do not have to go through all sorts of tests that I cannot afford =/
I am a pretty healthy (or so I think) 30 year old female. I have an intense job working as a line cook in a busy restaurant where it can get hot and you want to drink a lot of water…however, I feel like I am drinking too much! There are days where I drink 3 quarts just in my work shift, then an additional 4-7 glasses at home, despite this, my pee is still very yellow at times..I’ve even seen it just about orange!
I have a digital (Tanita) scale at home and my water weight percentage fluctuates between 48-51%…no matter how much I drink.
I also notice the last 3-6 months I have been becoming increasingly tired & fatigued, and have went from 124lbs, to 130lbs. I have always eaten a pretty "clean diet", mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, high amounts of fiber, lower fat foods, and almost zero processed foods. I used to work out 3-5 times a week but because I have been a full time student and work full time (until my recent graduation) I have not had as much time, but in the last month I have been going about 3 times a week and doing cardio as well as resistance training (and I understand that muscle puts on weight too), but I can’t figure out why I am gaining so much weight so fast!
Though, my bigger concern is why I am always SO thirsty when I drink SO much water…and I feel tired and pee such shades of yellow… I feel like this all has to be linked, and internet searches have turned up everything from dehyrdration, diabetes, and high mineral content.
I did have small kidney stones about 2 years ago..and I don’t know much about the high mineral content..though I do feel like my back/kidneys are a little sore at times..but I could be wrong, maybe it’s just sore from work/gym..
The other thing I have noticed is that I am getting what seem to be spider veins all over my legs (which I have never had)..however, I have been told that may be from prolonged periods of standing at work..
Lastly, I know it’s easy to say get checked out by a doctor, but I do not have medical insurance and cannot afford all of the tests they are going to want to put me through (hence my opening statement)
Hi Lisa, My name is Jessica and I am a Dietetic Technician. I work in food, and nutrition, specifically nutrition related to disease. As you already know- your symptoms of constant thirst (polydipsia), fatigue, and gaining weight are all signs of diabetes. However, you do mention that you used to work out 3-5 days per week. If you’ve gained 6# in 6 months, that works out to 1# or a 3500 calorie ‘overage’ per month. That breaks down to 115 calories per day. A regular workout every other day (working up a sweat, 30-60 min) would burn approx 200-250 calories. Your weight gain does make sense to me, if you’ve stopped working out and kept the same eating habits (even if they are healthy habits). 115 calories per day is really a small amount- a couple extra bites at meals or an extra snack. However, this slow weight gain could also be a sign of insulin resistance or pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Your thirst and fatigue do not strike me as completely out of the ordinary- you work a hot, fast paced job and are also going to school full time. That is a hefty schedule. However, you know your own body and can tell when something is ‘off’.
What you can do to test for diabetes (or insulin resistance) is to get a small blood glucose meter at a drug or grocery store. Make sure it comes with a couple needles and testing strips and make sure that it is a non-coding meter (or one you dont have to code). If you find the travel kind they’re normally under $10. Test your blood sugar first thing in the morning, before eating or drinking anything. There will be directions with the kit on how to do this. Normal range is 70-100mg/dl, but you really want to be in the 70′s or low 80′s. If you get a number thats creeping into the 80 or 90′s or above, you need to get yourself to a doctor and work out a payment plan with them.
If your blood sugar numbers are normal (in the 70′s) that does not necessarily mean that you dont have insulin resistance (pre-diabetes). You would need a doctor to order a lab test for that, to test your insulin levels. So if you are still experiencing weight gain, that might be something to check out with a doctor- just ask beforehand about payment plans.
As far as the color of your pee- do you happen to take a multivitamin? Or any other kind of vitamin? Or a prescription?
For your spider veins- do you have any free clinics in your area? There should be at least one near you, just google for free clinics. You should have those looked at, to make sure that (dont let me scare you here, I’m just being thorough) your spider veins arent a symptom of cardiac issues.
Feel free to email me if you have any questions, or leave an ‘edit’ on here.
BTW I forgot to mention- many doctors actually give a discount when you’re paying cash (and dont have insurance). For example, I didnt have insurance while in school either- my endocrinologist charged me $80 out-of-pocket rather than nis normal fee of $450 for a visit.
Thirst like you describe can be a symptom of diabetes–which could account for your other symptoms too. This is potentially very serious. Is there a community clinic in your area? Your really should have this checked out.
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