27F. I recently had a blood test (last week), and I do not have diabetes mellitus. However, I've been experiencing extreme, unquenchable thirst for the past few months. It's gotten to the point where I can't get a proper night's sleep because I keep waking up feeling thirsty. This is accompanied by frequent urination. It seems to have gotten progressively worse, and I finally went to the doctor when I noticed my lips cracking from dryness, despite drinking a good amount of fluids (I try to not to overdo despite the thirst tho so I’m not constantly running to the bathroom). it’s like if water lost its function I drink but I can’t feel the effects at all.
My blood test came back normal in terms of sugar. My albumin was only slightly high (52 g/L, with the lab reference range maxing out at 48) and my potassium was on the lower end of normal at 3.5. Everything else was within normal range.
As for how often I urinate, I kept track of random days the lowest I’ve gone is 12 times a day, while the highest has been 16 times. A few days ago, I lost count, but I think I urinated at least 20 times. By the end of that day, I felt feverish and exhausted, like I’d run a marathon and then I have been left dying from thirst in a desert. I should note that I’m urinating full amounts (a normal bladder's worth each time) and sometimes within 30 minutes of each other. My urine is usually pale yellow to watery. it is more normal colour only in the morning.
I don’t know what to make of all this. Could the thirst be in my head, or is it connected to the dehydration symptoms I’m experiencing (like cracked lips and slightly elevated albumin)? I’ve read about diabetes insipidus, but I’m not sure it fits because my symptoms don’t seem consistent. For example, I can hold my urine for a few hours while I sleep, and on average, I go to the bathroom for the last time around 1 or 2 am., then sleep until 5 or 6 am. before needing to go again. So, while the urination slows down overnight, the thirst remains constant.
I’m a bit worried because I’m not sure what’s going on. Could it just be an overactive bladder? But why the constant thirst? And why do I always pee a full bladder every time I go?
Side note: about 10 months ago, during an eye test for new glasses and noticing my sight got a bit worse, they noticed a swollen nerve, which the optometrist said could either be nothing or possibly related to pressure in my head. I didn’t have any other unusual symptoms, so I was referred to my GP as routine (I’m in the UK), but I never heard back and kinda forgot about it. Now, I’m wondering if this could be related. I’ve read that pituitary issues can cause similar symptoms. I’m seeing my doctor again next week, but I’m feeling quite sick and weak in the meantime. I’m hoping someone here might have some insight into what could be going on with me.