Both Adam and I have gotten sick and tired of me being sick and tired. So, we FINALLY did something about it.
A Little History:
For the last several months (I’d say since the beginning of the year or so), I’ve been getting sick to my stomach A LOT over weird little things; I’ve been getting headaches more frequently and have been exhausted after a normal day. There have been a few other things, but those are the major issues.
Wednesday:
We went to the doctor to see what’s going on. And he like the rest of the world we tell about this asks if I’m pregnant (which I’m NOT, so don’t ask). So, he decides to run a bunch of tests. And he covers just about every thing there is to cover in order to find a place to start. So, we have to go back the next day for the results.
Thursday:
We go back to the doctor. I was kind of nervous; I think I was afraid I was going to learn I had something serious (I don’t, but still) or that he had no idea what was wrong with me and all the “doing something” would stop there.
So while it wasn’t anything monumental, I learned that my good cholesterol is too low (apparently I wasn’t blessed with good genes that way) and that my Ferritin levels are CRAZY low. What is Ferritin you ask? Well, here:
Ferritin is a protein in the body that binds to iron; most of the iron stored in the body is bound to ferritin. Ferritin is found in the liver , spleen , skeletal muscles, and bone marrow. Only a small amount of ferritin is found in the blood. The amount of ferritin in the blood shows how much iron is stored in your body.
The Doctor said he likes to the see these levels at between 80 and 120 mg/L and mine are at 12. 🙂 No wonder I’ve been tired all the time. This might even explain some of my headaches.
I’ve been “ordered” to take an iron supplement and take a 30 to 40 minute walk 4 days a week. We’re going back in 6 weeks to see if these make a difference in how I’m feeling. Let’s hope.
The Splendiferous Zeppelin Escapades of the Jeppys 
Wow! No wonder you have been feeling awful. At least they found something and you can hopefully start feeling better. Hope it works quick!
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I agree. At least the found something! And that something is pretty easy to take care of.
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Jessica! I’m sorry that you aren’t feeling well! It’s crazy what our bodies can do, and what happens if something is a little off. Good luck with all the changes! Hope you start to feel better. Also, I learned something- I didn’t know what ferritin measured iron stores, thanks!
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Hope that helps you feel better. Being low in iron really affects how you feel and function. I hope this does the trick!
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Hope you can find relief.
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Don’t you love finding out little things are wrong with you!? I felt the same way when my Dr told me I’m hypothyroid. I was kind of glad I could blame my blahs and fatigue on something other than laziness though. 🙂 Hope the iron helps!!
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Bummer. I’m glad your doctor came back with an answer. Hopefully you’ll be able to absorb the iron from the supplement. I’ve had a lot of great results with a chlorophyll supplement, or any super green food you can get your hands on. It is the “blood” of the plant and resembles hemoglobin (in our blood) very closely, thus when taken raises the oxygen carrying ability of our blood. Studies have shown there are a lot of other benefits as well: helps with an underactive bowel, balances blood sugar, appetite suppressant, deodorizer, neutralizing allergies, and mental alertness. Maybe an increase of oxygen to the brain might help with headaches too… ? I hope you find this useful!
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