Apparently I’m super duper ultra low in iron, B12, and vitamin D. Gotta go to a compound pharmacy for the B12, so I get can some big phat pills made up to take once a fortnight.
Doc reckons it explains the weird muscle aches, super bad depression times, and uber-lethargy. But everything else is fine, all my other vitamins and minerals are noice, no indications of diabeetus or anything, phew 😅
Once I’ve been taking supplements for like 2 months, I have to get another test to check if I’m uptaking it well. If I am, then I’ll ask about perimenopause and getting my uterus yeeted.
You can get B12 vitamins by injection from a doctor. Cost might be a factor. I haaaaated taking Maltofer. If you can source stinging nettles these are one of the richest sources of easily digestible iron after meat. But they gotta be steamed/wilted or they sting. If you want to go on a forage for nettles up and down Merri Creek this coming weekend - I’m up for that. Its prime nettle season right now.
Can you start taking vitamin D even though you haven’t seen a doctor but you think you might be low because you don’t get outside much because the sun hates you?
I believe so. The ones to watch out for are Vitamin A and Vitamin E for overdoses which can kill you or make you very sick. Excess quantities of most other vitamins just get pissed out and don’t do too much damage en route. Vitamin C in particular gets pissed out if taken in large quantities.
Yeah somewhat vegetarian; I’m not strict, like I’ll eat a steak or a roast, or something with meat in it(soup, stir-fry, etc), but I generally eat pretty vegetarian. I’m also generally OMAD too which wouldn’t help at all.
FWIW I’ve been taking the 5000 IU vitamin D for a few years now and I’m still at the lower end of the acceptable range on my blood tests so don’t fear the high does recommendation. Vitamin D is cheap too, I use iHerb.
I find iron supplements a little digestivly challenging. Maltopher was better than Ferrograd-C. Syrup was better than any pills, but way more expensive.
Seconding Maltofer as the gold standard, though it is priced accordingly!
When I need it, I pick up Wagner Ferro-Sustain (cheap and relatively kind to the gut) and Cenovis Kids Vitamin C (250mg is enough to complement the iron without causing much further upset on an empty stomach).
If you are very low, you might be better off with an iron infusion. Iron supplements can take a very long time to get levels back to normal, could be 6+ months. That’s a long time to be feeling exhausted and potentially suffer digestive issues. Unfortunately quality of life impact of iron management is not taken very seriously by many GPs. (Probably because it’s mostly a women’s issue). There will be a cost if you go through the GP, but I believe there is a clinic at Royal Melbourne hospital to get it done for only the cost of the prescription? Might be worth checking it out to see if you’re eligible.
Apparently I’m super duper ultra low in iron, B12, and vitamin D. Gotta go to a compound pharmacy for the B12, so I get can some big phat pills made up to take once a fortnight.
Doc reckons it explains the weird muscle aches, super bad depression times, and uber-lethargy. But everything else is fine, all my other vitamins and minerals are noice, no indications of diabeetus or anything, phew 😅
Once I’ve been taking supplements for like 2 months, I have to get another test to check if I’m uptaking it well. If I am, then I’ll ask about perimenopause and getting my uterus yeeted.
You can get B12 vitamins by injection from a doctor. Cost might be a factor. I haaaaated taking Maltofer. If you can source stinging nettles these are one of the richest sources of easily digestible iron after meat. But they gotta be steamed/wilted or they sting. If you want to go on a forage for nettles up and down Merri Creek this coming weekend - I’m up for that. Its prime nettle season right now.
did they warn you about Nexium (the antacid)? Also blocks iron absorption, so be careful on that.
It also causes issues with bone density.
Can you start taking vitamin D even though you haven’t seen a doctor but you think you might be low because you don’t get outside much because the sun hates you?
I believe so. The ones to watch out for are Vitamin A and Vitamin E for overdoses which can kill you or make you very sick. Excess quantities of most other vitamins just get pissed out and don’t do too much damage en route. Vitamin C in particular gets pissed out if taken in large quantities.
Unless you have an identified need (ie low on a pathology report) its just gonna give you expensive wee.
I already have expensive wee. Lol.
I’ll try and get 10 minutes a day and go from there. Thanks. Much appreciated ❤️
They used to say that 10 minutes of forearm exposure was enough.
I think I can manage that.
Are you a redhead? We make our own
No. My mum was. I have light brown hair.
can’t hurt then. I think the number is like a full quarter of aussies have a vitamin D deficiency which sounds insane, but stops cancer so fuckit.
True
All g I don’t take antacids so I don’t think I’ll have issues with that thankfully
Are you vegan/ vego by any chance?
Yeah somewhat vegetarian; I’m not strict, like I’ll eat a steak or a roast, or something with meat in it(soup, stir-fry, etc), but I generally eat pretty vegetarian. I’m also generally OMAD too which wouldn’t help at all.
The supplements work great. Get the 10000 vit D and take it daily. Don’t bother with the lower ones.
Lovely thank you!
FWIW I’ve been taking the 5000 IU vitamin D for a few years now and I’m still at the lower end of the acceptable range on my blood tests so don’t fear the high does recommendation. Vitamin D is cheap too, I use iHerb.
Oh an look for Vitamin D with vitamin K supplemented, it helps with absorption.
eg, https://au.iherb.com/pr/california-gold-nutrition-vitamin-d3-k2-as-mk-7-180-veggie-capsules/124745
Exactly. The supposed multivitamin tablets have about everything in them but not enough dosage to be useful.
I find iron supplements a little digestivly challenging. Maltopher was better than Ferrograd-C. Syrup was better than any pills, but way more expensive.
Sweet thank you!!
Seconding Maltofer as the gold standard, though it is priced accordingly!
When I need it, I pick up Wagner Ferro-Sustain (cheap and relatively kind to the gut) and Cenovis Kids Vitamin C (250mg is enough to complement the iron without causing much further upset on an empty stomach).
If you are very low, you might be better off with an iron infusion. Iron supplements can take a very long time to get levels back to normal, could be 6+ months. That’s a long time to be feeling exhausted and potentially suffer digestive issues. Unfortunately quality of life impact of iron management is not taken very seriously by many GPs. (Probably because it’s mostly a women’s issue). There will be a cost if you go through the GP, but I believe there is a clinic at Royal Melbourne hospital to get it done for only the cost of the prescription? Might be worth checking it out to see if you’re eligible.
Thank you! I’ll check that out! :)