medical stuff

[k2daisy]

I got my annual bloodwork results back. My PCP hasn't seen them yet although almost none of it is a surprise to either of us. She already prescribed Wegovy for me, and told me to go on a true eating plan too.

Results:
-A1c and glucose were high, back to pre-diabetic range.
-iron was low. Need to keep taking iron pills, it appears.
-LDL Cholesterol was high. This has not been an issue in many years, but apparently it's back up.
-My MCHC (hemoglobin in red blood cells) was very low, and RDW (red cell distribution) was high. Pretty sure this means I have anemia, which makes sense because I have been feeling pretty weak and easily out of breath lately.

Turns out a year of stress/grief over-eating and over-drinking isn't good for a middle-aged lady's body.

All of these are diet-related, and can be resolved by eating better. In the most basic sense, my eating habits have been so poor I am malnourished.

So less saturated fats, more protein, less sugary crap, more iron-rich vegetables and proteins.

Took me a year to do this damage, let's see how long it takes me to undo.

Comments

[lisforlilydale]

It's always so easy to go backwards in health and so much harder to go forward. But knowing things to strive to improve is a big part of the battle!

[minnaway]

Best of luck to you.

[denynothing1]

The good news (as you know as well as I do) is that reversing those numbers can happen fairly quickly when those changes are implemented. All good thoughts for on the process! <3 (I also have anemia, though it's improved a lot over the last couple years. But it is so, so tedious. Good luck with that too.)

[annieeats]

Do they have you taking B vitamins? That can help with iron levels. Hope things improve!

[haphazardmethod]

I’ve been on zepbound since February and it has made sticking to a sensible diet so much easier. I am also a stress eater; the medicine has really reduced that compulsion. I also found it lifted my mood but that seems to be true for only about half of the folks taking it, if Reddit is to be believed. I hope Wegovy works for you!