Expert: Eric Brandt - 8/22/2004

Question
I have been experiencing extreme fatigue since last fall.  At that time, my doctor checked my ferritin levels and found that I was at 15.  Since that time, and in spite of taking the first 300 mg and then 600 mg of Palafar my doctor prescibed, my ferritin levels did not rise above 20 (in over 9 months and an improved diet).  Since I wasn't responding to the Palafar, my doctor gave me iron injections (after checking to see if I had a bleeding ulcer or other physical condition that was contributing to the low iron stores).  I just recently had a follow-up blood test and am waiting to find out if my ferritin levels have gone up.

My doctor also prescribed one anti-depressant after another (3 in total), to which I had no significant response (with the exception of Prozac to which I had a very negative response), thinking that depression was contributing to my fatigue (even though my outlook and thoughts were positive, but I lacked the energy to be enthusiastic about going out and having a good time).

Afer discussing it with my doctor, I have since added amino acid supplementation to my diet (L-Tyrosine - 500 mg, 3 times a day; L-Glutamine - 500 mg, 2 times a day; and recently discussed adding Sam-e, which a Harvard study showed increased the effectiveness of antidepressants in some people who were not fully responding to an antidepressant).  Since adding the aminos, I have found that my energy is returning.  If I responding so well to the L-Tyrosine in particular, could I possibly have a sub-clinically low thyroid or perhaps low adrenal function?  My thyroid has been tested, and the result was, I believe, either 1.5 or 1.8?  Also, could I safely add a supplement with Bee Pollen and Royal Jelly to my diet to help increase my energy?  I am not much a supplement taker, typically only using a daily muti-vitaim/mineral and vitamin C.  However, I am so tired of being so tired, I am willing and now eager to try some supplementation in moderation.

Sorry for the long message, and thanks for your time.

Tamara Ford

Answer
Hi Tamara,
Bee Pollen and Royal Jelly are generally safe.
L-Tyrosine is not related to thyroid function.
Your doctor did the right blood tests and prescribed the right medications to try to alleviate the fatigue. Sometimes chronic fatighe is viral in origin and boosting ones nutrition and immunity helpd. Perhaps this is how the supplemets are helping.
You can have your doctor check your adrenal function if you suspect there is a problem.
Thank you for using Allexperts
Please subscribe to my free newsletter The Caplet
To subscribe send e-mail to
thecaplet-subscribe@topica.com
More information is available at
http://www.topica.com/lists/thecaplet
and at
http://www.druginformation.bc.ca
Sincerely,
Eric Brandt, B.Sc. Pharm