I was lucky in that I skipped out on the diagnostic nightmare of Gitelman’s – my younger sister Lizzie was diagnosed before me (and her experience took a similar route to yours, it sounds like) so when I began displaying similar symptoms it was relatively easy to confirm.
Because Gitelman’s is a genetic condition (autosomal recessive – both parents must be a carrier, though not necessarily have the disease themselves) there is genetic testing available to confirm the diagnosis.
I didn’t have this done, instead I was asked to do a 24hr urine test (where they give you a lovely yellow jug to pee into and keep in your fridge for 24 hours) to see how much potassium and magnesium I was wasting. The results of this, combined with my symptoms were enough for my nephrologist to make a diagnosis.
I hope this helps, neither trying to get diagnosed nor living with Gitelman’s is particularly fun, but I do hope that you’re able to find some answers soon.
Feel free to email me if you have any more questions.
(Typically I answer questions privately, but this one came in anonymously so I had to publish it. If you have a question, feel free to indicate if you’d like it answered on the blog or privately.)