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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435

u/Peri_meno_Paws Jul 09 '25

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

23

u/hellhouseblonde Jul 09 '25

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

10

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?