Hi. I’ve been reading Ray Peat off and on the last year and have a lot of respect for his work. I’m currently about 34 weeks pregnant and miserable. This has been a hard pregnancy with stress high. I had labs done at the end of October that showed my ferritin levels to be at 10 then they were at 5 two weeks later on additional labs. My hemoglobin is at 11. I also had a hair mineral analysis done that showed my iron levels low as well. I’ve been told I may be anemic but no one is willing to give an actual diagnosis. I have been experiencing shortness of breath, extreme fatigue (my husband and teen daughter have had to take over most of the household duties. We are a family of eight), battling very intense anxiety attacks which I have not had before. I will feel like I have a lump in my throat and need to cry but cannot, a need to escape, sense of impending doom and high heart rate during these attacks, which are getting more frequent. I get out of breath just walking ten feet or more and my muscles are very weak and easily fatigued (folding laundry makes my arms ache). I also have some depression, crying and feeling worthless. Struggle to get out of bed, no appetite. I’m extremely worried about the birth and my ability to do it physically (my last four births were homebirths, but I’m planning to be in a hospital with a midwife this time). My providers seem to think this is just a symptom of pregnancy but it feels so different to me (this is baby number eight). I’d like any advice or input. Most days I’m barely eating 500-1100 calories because of my lack of appetite. I’m also overweight (5’4” and 221 pounds.) I haven’t gained any weight this pregnancy and lost ten pounds last month. My hair analysis test showed my potassium (potassium was 3 on my blood test) and sodium were very low and other indications of adrenal burn out. I had Covid in the start of October, my smell and taste haven’t been the same since which doesn’t help the appetite. I also have a chronic post nasal drip and cough. I’m just trying to share any and all info that could be helpful to receiving advice.
I’ve been taking floradix liquid iron but I’m not sure it’s helping. Also taking a potassium supplement, a liquid b6 and magnesium supplement, and JigSaws MagSoothe drink. I have a hard time swallowing pills, and even chewing wears me out currently.
I’ve been taking floradix liquid iron but I’m not sure it’s helping. Also taking a potassium supplement, a liquid b6 and magnesium supplement, and JigSaws MagSoothe drink. I have a hard time swallowing pills, and even chewing wears me out currently.