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What can cause weakness in postmenopausal period?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have been in menopause for 6 years now. Over three months I have been having bouts of weakness in shoulders, arms and sides of stomach. I feel very weak and strange. I do not feel dizzy. Sometimes it starts with a hot flash. Or else I will stay awake with this terrible feeling and will have hot flash at the end of it. I had CBC. As my symptoms become worse I went to an urgent care and the doctor took 6 vials of blood. He checked many things including EKG, which is normal. My fasting finger prick was 74 and HbA1c 5.6. I have attached the rest of the blood reports.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Jain

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

...

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through the details provided by you.

All investigations are normal (attachment removed to protect patient identity) such as hemoglobin levels, non-diabetic, with normal resting EKG. So, these are not issue in your case. However, the following are the possibilities.

Post menopausal hormone imbalances - You might have increased spurts of estrogen production which are causing the hot flashes. This is common in such menopausal age and requires only mild treatment if there is evidence of the increase. For this, get the following tests done - FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone), estradiol and progesterone levels in blood.

Hypertension - Get your BP monitored on daily basis at different times of the day and see if there is increase in levels at any point of time. This is again a reason for hot flashes, anger and weakness. It can be cured with mild medicine if found to be present.

Check for your thyroid levels. Since you are overweight, there might be a possibility that you are suffering from hypothyroidism. Vitamin D3 levels - this is another reason for general weakness. Now if we go to further serious reasons, then one probability can be TIA (transient ischemic attack), there can be slight loss of blood supply to the brain which might be causing weakness in limbs. I am not sure if this would fit into you as coming to a conclusion requires medical examination which we cannot do online.

I would suggest that you send us all reports as mentioned above and also go to a doctor to get full examination done. Only then we can comment on what is the right treatment in your case.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My Vitamin D3 level is 2.52.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Jain

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

...

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Your vitamin D level is critically low. This can surely be a reason for your weakness and fatigue. You will have to take appropriate treatment for the same which would be decided by thorough examination. You might also need to take in two more tests - parathyroid hormone - PTH and calcitonin levels as they are also culprits for low vitamin D levels. I would also suggest you to take more sunlight every day to improve levels.

Answered by Dr. Rohit Jain
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At March 4, 2016
Reviewed At May 29, 2023

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

...

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Decision Helper
Postmenopausal Weakness: Hormone, Thyroid & Vitamin D Decision Helper

Experiencing weakness after menopause?

Answer five quick, private questions to understand potential causes of your weakness and when to discuss them with a doctor.

  • Covers common factors like hormone changes and vitamin deficiencies.
  • Identifies potential serious causes that need prompt attention.
  • Provides questions to ask your doctor for a focused discussion.

This tool provides educational information only and does not diagnose, treat, or replace professional medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance.

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

...

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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