Help! Daughter with chronic fatigue - could it be adrenal dysfunction?

[Guest guest]

Sorry this post is so long. My daughter (20yrs old) had glandular

fever three years ago just after her father and I separated. Prior to

this, there were a five years of emotional stress including losing two

close relatives after harrowing illness, other close relatives having

serious illness including her brother being diagnosed with cancer and

having treatment. She has been tired since then and suffered bouts of

acute anxiety and severe fatigue. After the glandular fever cleared

up, she had other episodes of viral illness and got one cold or sore

throat after another.

Her first year at uni was compromised by stress brought on by

'flatmates from hell' as she described them plus the usual

difficulties of coping away from home, loads of work etc etc. She

managed to complete and pass the first year but, shortly after the

second year started, she had a big relapse and is extremely fatigued

all the time, very easily stressed and can't think straight and has

been unable to make it into uni since the first week.

Her doctor has run some standard tests to check if she was anaemic,

which she isn't but her iron stores are low. Nothing showed regarding

her thyroid, but I believe it was a standard rather than a detailed

test. After some discussion about the fatigue, she is being referred

to a specialist in chronic fatigue/ME. I have no idea how long we

will have to wait to see the specialist.

Having done a fair bit of surfing the internet, I have come across

your group and I was hoping someone might be able to give me an idea

of how we can make a start on getting more tests run on her adrenal

system and get things moving. From what I have read, her symptoms

suggest adrenal dysfunction and possibly thyroid too.

I am intending to make an appointment for us to see her doctor

together soon and suggest this route of investigation. Would she need

to be referred to an endocrinologist? Do you have a list of good ones?

Can I do this through the National Health? How much can we push for

this with the doctor - she has been helpful and not obstructive so far

but not very proactive as I have had to suggest having the initial

tests and also the idea that she may have chronic fatigue.

Any advice would be welcome as she is not functioning at the moment

and time is passing her by. We live near Totnes in South Devon so if

there is anyone we can consult around here, it would be good to know.

Thanks, Jo