Greetings all,
I'll be talking a bit about my period. Don't worry, it's not gross or anything but I thought I'd post an issue I was having for several months during my period. I think back in October or September of 2013, I started feeling more tired during my period and some times I was just quite exhausted. I went to see the doctors at school to see what was going on. I had gone to see my previous doctor before and had my iron levels checked out, which seems to be a common issue for women, i.e. low iron.
I was already taking iron during my period as my previous doctor said to so my levels were fine, although for me I want my numbers to be up to 70-90. Last time I had them checked at school, my iron was around 40. Low, but not super low. I think the lowest I had was 16 or something around that.
I've also had my B12 checked out. I've heard it should be over 500 but the way our system works, they consider over 300 (I think), normal. So my B12 was around 300 so 'normal'.
A few months ago I bought this hemp protein at a health food store by my place. In the beginning, I would drink it almost daily and I found that, that helped my energy levels during my period. The problem is that this protein doesn't dissolve like regular protein shakes and so it wasn't the most convenient thing to take. Also the protein bits would get stuck between my teeth. So the next month, I wouldn't take it as often but noticed my energy levels went down when I had my period again.
I had a bottle of Borage oil pills, which contains a fat called GLA (gamma-linolenic acid). I would take them once and a while but last month I decided to take it more consistently, I think every other day. When I last got my period in April, I noticed my energy levels were fine and my period was much lighter (i.e. I was losing less blood). High blood loss can use up a lot of iron so maybe this can help with my iron levels instead of needing to take iron pills.
I bought evening primose oil pills, which also have GLA as well. These 2 products seem to be the best items for containing GLA. I googled GLA and learned that hemp protein contains it as well so this was why I noticed I wasn't fatigued during my period.
What frustrates me is that our medical system doesn't properly help people because when I went to my doctor at school, I asked about getting my fat levels checked out and I think they may have checked out a few but I did read online someone had fatigue and got their GLA checked out and it was low. They were taking lots of fat supplements like omega 3,6 and 9 but that didn't help.
What's the point of having a doctor if they can't figure out what is wrong with your body? I have to figure it out on my own and this is silly. I will probably go back to the doctor and talk about this. I need to know now how much GLA I need. Maybe now I can take a few tablets a week, instead of every other day or every day. I am also not sure if one can have too much GLA in their body so that is something I have to research.
I haven't taken as much GLA this month and maybe I will see more fatigue during my period but at least I know what is causing the issue.
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