I like to frame things as choices because we make so damn many and while that can feel overwhelming, it means we have incredible agency over a lot in our lives.
I find this to be particularly relevant for midlife women. Menopause will happen to 100% of us. We can make choices to prepare better for it and to get treatment after it, all with the goal of living and living well.
I chose to get bloodwork done this week.
My blood count looks good, my kidney and liver functions look good.
My zinc level sucks.
My vitamin D level sucks.
My vitamin B12 doesn’t suck, but leaves something to be desired. It’s what we call “low normal” meaning on the lower end but in the normal range. I’d just prefer it be higher.
Risks of low zinc:
Poor healing
Poor immune system (interestingly, supplementing during a cold is controversial)
Decreased taste and smell
Risks of low vitamin D:
Poor bone health
Cancer (breast and colon)
Autoimmune disease
Depression (may be seasonal)
Risks of low vitamin B12:
Anemia
Neurologic damage
I’m choosing to supplement with Vitamin D3 + K2 (we have to have K and magnesium to actually absorb the D3). I already take magnesium bisglycinate from Thorne (dispensary linked in my bio - ask about getting a discount!) and now I’ve added the D3 + K2. (I like Thorne because I started using the magnesium bisglycinate and now I swear by it. They also have a list on their website of ingredients they will never use in their products to keep things clean).
As far as the zinc and B12, there are dietary sources (eggs, nuts) that I could increase. I’m also going to stop taking birth control pills, pills that can lower zinc and B vitamins. I’m going to have my levels checked again after I’ve stopped the pills and if they are still low, then I will be more mindful with food choices and may supplement as well.
I was blaming my incredible fatigue on my job, and sometimes my kids (I have one who is not a sleeper). I don’t choose when I get called for work and I don’t choose when my kids have trouble sleeping, but I’m glad I chose to see if there was a deeper reason and as it turns out, there are a few.
Resources:
Some of the information contained in this article is the result of my training, medical knowledge, and personal experience without a specific source to be cited.
Menopause Practice, A Clinician’s Guide: 6th edition. The North American Menopause Society. (Now called The Menopause Society)
