MEDICAL MATTERS
- Medical Matters features questions asked by Members of the ME Association on health-related topics.
- Dr Charles Shepherd and the ME Association's other advisers answer these questions by sharing their expert knowledge.
- Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor’ series in ME Essential magazine.
- It is a free resource that supplements the detailed information contained in the full range of literature that can be found in the website shop.
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Questions in the Category: Blood Test
Can HIV/AIDS be misdiagnosed as ME/CFS?
I've been diagnosed with ME by my GP after having several months of fatigue, enlarged glands, night sweats and flu-like symptoms. A friend says that HIV/AIDS can cause very similar symptoms in the early stages and that I probably ought to have an HIV blood test – which hasn't been done as far as I know.
Having had several sexual partners, some casual, in the past, I suppose I could be at risk. Unfortunately, this isn't the sort of medical query that I can discuss with my GP because he is a family friend.
Ferritin blood test and iron supplements
Firstly, is there any guidance and research into low ferritin levels and ME?
Secondly, is it worth taking an iron supplement to increase energy levels even if serum ferritin levels are normal and there aren't any symptoms or signs of iron deficiency anaemia?
Thirdly, are there any risks to taking one of the commercial iron supplements that you can buy over the counter in a pharmacy and that are advertised for treating fatigue?
Blood ferritin level raised, iron overload and haemochromatosis
I’m a 30-year-old man who suffers with fluctuating mild to moderate ME. In addition to classic ME symptoms – debilitating fatigue, brain fog, etc – I also have quite a lot of joint and stomach pain which seem to be more marked and persistent than is normal in ME.
In blood tests I’ve had since having the symptoms, I noticed that I have a slightly elevated ferritin level. Could this mean that I have an iron-storage disorder called haemochromatosis because I know that one of my distant relatives had this condition? Should I now go back to my GP?
CRP blood test
I’ve been feeling generally more unwell for several months, so my GP has done some blood tests. They were all reported to be normal – apart from a slightly raised level of one test called a CRP. This is now going to be repeated. What is this test? Is it something that can be raised in ME? And what happens if it remains raised?
Blood tests: Low Neutrophil count
As I’ve been feeling more fatigued than usual, my GP arranged some routine blood tests.
Everything was normal – apart from having a low neutrophil count. My GP didn’t seem too worried and is going to repeat the test.
What are neutrophils and can ME cause them to decrease?
Hyperparathyroidism
Many symptoms of Hyperparathyroidism are similar to ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia. Would a GP be able to recognise hyperparathyroidism and what are the treatment options?
Low sodium levels – Hyponatraemia
I’ve been feeling generally unwell and more fatigued – mentally and physically, for the past few months.
My GP ordered some routine blood tests – all of which were normal apart from having a slightly lower than normal level of sodium in the blood. My GP isn’t too concerned and is going to repeat the blood test. Could a low sodium level be caused by having ME?
Symptoms: Cognitive Dysfunction
I know that cognitive dysfunction/’brain fog’ is one of the key symptoms of ME/CFS and that it can vary in severity – just like most other ME/CFS symptoms. But I’m concerned about what seems to be a slow and progressive worsening in the problems I have with memory, concentration, mixing up words and the ability to process information. I’ve also noticed that my memory for events in the past is now being affected. Otherwise, most of my other ME/CFS symptoms are fairly stable. But the frustration with not being able to properly function mentally is starting to make me feel depressed.
I went to see my GP a few months ago, and he felt that my cognitive problems were probably ‘just another part of having ME/CFS’. So is this sort of progressive decline in mental functioning something that other people with ME/CFS report and just have to live with?
Non-Alcholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
I’ve recently been feeling more fatigued than usual. I’ve also lost a bit of weight and had some tummy pains – which are higher up than the sort of spasmodic pain I sometimes get with my irritable bowel.
My GP did some blood tests – all of which were OK apart from some minor abnormalities in my liver function tests. To cut a long story short I then had a visit to hospital and an ultrasound scan of my liver. It turns out that I have what the hospital doctor calls a fatty liver. He says it’s a fairly common condition – especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or are overweight and possibly ME/CFS. Could this be connected to having ME/CFS as well? As I’ve only put on weight since developing the condition.
Treatment: Vitamin D
Can Vitamin D help people with ME/CFS and are we more susceptible to Vitamin D deficiency?
Dr Charles Shepherd
Dr Shepherd has been Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association for more than 40 years. He is integral to the charity's activities and provides information and support based on his professional knowledge, personal experience as a doctor with ME/CFS, and the understanding gained from helping many thousands of people with the condition. He was a member of the comittee responsible for the 2021 NICE Clinical Guideline and is a recognised expert on ME/CFS in the UK. His knowledge extends to Post-Viral Fatigue Syndromes (PVFS), Myalgic Encephalopathy/Encephalomyelitis (ME), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) or Long Covid.
If you have questions about ME/CFS or Long Covid, you can:
- Review the free information in the What is ME/CFS section of the website, and the free Covid-19 and Long Covid information in the website shop.
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Medical Matters is based on the popular ‘Ask the Doctor‘ series featured in the highly-regarded member’s magazine, ME Essential, and in the healthcare professional magazine, ME Medical. Both are produced by the ME Association and published as hard-copy magazines every 3 months and sent to members and healthcare professionals by post to home or business addresses.
If you are a Health Care Professional you can sign-up to receive ME Medical magazine (people with ME/CFS can also nominate their HCP by completing the sign-up form).