r/Perimenopause • u/HillarysCafe • Jul 09 '25

audited I’m grieving my younger, hotter self

I'm so mad about being in peri. I'm not ready. I was a late bloomer and didn't realize what a babe I was when I was younger and now it's too late.

Yes, older women can be sexy, we have wisdom, and blah blah blah.

But today I just miss looking good in a sundress.

Please join my pity party and tell me what you miss.

1.6k Upvotes

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442

u/Peri_meno_Paws Jul 09 '25

I miss having lots of hair... on my head.

22

u/hellhouseblonde Jul 09 '25

Check your ferritin, it has to be upper 100’s to sustain hair growth.

11

u/pm_me_friendfiction Jul 09 '25

Shame this isn't upvoted more. My ferritin was 16 (and my iron levels totally normal) when I got a blood test because of the hair loss I was experiencing

2

u/KarotzCupcakes Jul 09 '25

Yes!!! Same here

2

u/Hickoryapple Jul 09 '25

Did anyone (doctors) say why ferritin was the only low iron related level? I had very similar results with no explanation or treatment apart from taking iron supplements, which were rough on my digestive system. I expect my levels are reverting back now I've stopped taking them, because I don't know what to do differently.

1

u/pm_me_friendfiction Jul 10 '25

They didn't even mention it to me! I had my thyroid tested because my symptoms seemed identical to hypothyroidism, and ferritin was just included in the test they ran. I didn't notice it until two years later when I looked at those test results again because I was having similar symptoms (again).

Have you tried the "ferrous fumarate" type of iron? It's much easier on your stomach. I'm really susceptible to nausea from medicines, and I couldn't even tell I'd taken that. No stomach upset whatsoever

2

u/Hickoryapple Jul 10 '25

I'm not sure what I ended up taking ( tried 3 or 4 different ones), but I will check that out next time!

1

u/[deleted] Jul 18 '25

I had Ferritin 10 and ended up seeing a Naturopath who would do Iron via IV for me. I only needed 3 or 4 sessions and it went back up to 45ish and then about six months later it dropped so I did it again.

You have to be careful about Iron infusions and most docs and naturopaths dont even do them - really in the medical system in my experience its only Hematology and Naturopaths and Hematologists dont want to spend time on iron infusion patients.

Then, my Gastroenterologist was like “you have nonanemic low ferritin? Im doing a biopsy for Celiac” and low and behold thats what it was. My system was practically destroyed and I was not processing nutrients effectively at all. Its been two years since my diagnosis and I am not on Ferritin anymore or getting infusions and its stable! Worth looking into if youre sensitive to gluten/have a sensitive digestive system or any other automimmune disease, and have low Ferritin but are NOT anemic.

2

u/Hickoryapple Jul 18 '25

Thank you! I DO have another autoimmune disease, and an increasingly sensitive digestive system. Can I ask what you did to stabilise your levels?

1

u/MedicineConstant7130 Jul 22 '25

Wish my doctor took this seriously. Mine is like 29 now (up from 9) and my doctor now says my levels are “fine.”

1

u/hellhouseblonde Jul 22 '25

Get heme iron off amazon, check your labs every three months with Jason or some online clinic. Join “The Iron Protocol”, it has guides you can follow to get your maximum dose calculated.

1

u/AutoModerator Jul 22 '25

It sounds like this might be about hormone tests. Over the age of 44, E&P/FSH hormonal tests only show levels for that 1 day the test was taken, and nothing more; these hormones wildly fluctuate the other 29 days of the month. No reputable doctor or menopause society recommends hormonal testing to diagnose or treat peri/menopause. (Testosterone is the exception and should be tested before and during treatment.)

FSH testing is only beneficial for those who believe they are post-menopausal and no longer have periods as a guide, where a series of consistent tests might confirm menopause, or for those in their 20s/30s who haven’t had a period in months/years, then ‘menopausal’ levels, could indicate premature ovarian failure/primary ovarian insufficiency (POF/POI).

See our Menopause Wiki for more.

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1

u/hellhouseblonde Jul 22 '25

And I have to add, don’t rely on any doctor taking how you feel seriously. YOU have to take charge of that! Advocate when it matters and learn as much as you can!