Exhausted, menopausal, can't be arsed - any tips on how to cope?? Slightly rambling, incoherent rant.

[PunishmentRoundupWithJoon]

I'm so exhausted and my cholesterol keeps going up and up - it's gone up from 7.7 to 8.3 in only a month. I'm so much less tolerant and am getting ratty with my partner more and more. I know it's more than likely related to the menopause. I can't take HRT as it makes my hair fall out.

I thought it might be thyroid related, so asked the GP for a test. They only test TSH levels and that's come back as normal. I have even less energy to exercise so weight is going up. Am probably depressed.

I've no idea why my cholesterol is shooting up. I read that thyroid issues can cause raised cholesterol but it seems this isn't the case here. Is this menopause related too?? Started a thread a while back about this. It's adding to my depression.

Really, though, I'm looking on tips on how to cope with being so pissed off with everything. Wanting to kill everyone, y'know, that kinda thing....

How did you get through menopause and emerge sane?

I was at the same point about 4 weeks ago, and I'm still in a funk but feeling much better.

The GP on my healthcare plan ordered a full set of bloods and thyroid was ok but low in test, vit D, iron, high cholesterol. 5. something.

I've upped protein (lost a few lbs as a side effect), once a week body pump class, all the vitamins so iron, vit d, multivitamins, omega 3.

I'm ok on cardio.

I'm exhausted but feeling a lot healthier. The high protein has naturally stopped me reaching out for the junk.

Peri is a rollercoaster I guess.

If you haven't already try all the boring basics. Good nutrition, hydration, sleep, exercise. I'm desperate for some good weather so going for lots of walks where I can.

You poor thing, I started HRT and has helped great. But had to change to another type and my weight gone up also so feel sluggish. Hot flushes gone though and my brain fog and feel a bit more positive. As the person above said take iron, vit d will help. Drink more water and even do short walks to get back into it. Lots of stretching. Iron will definitely help energy levels and hair loss. Can you not take a lower dose of hrt or try another type as can take a while to find what suits you. Peri caused me hair loss and iron and hrt has helped. It is horrible the way we lose our mojo. Am single so thank god don't have anyone to annoy me or for me to annoy. Having my dog helps as she is adorable and lots of snuggles help. Take care of yourself and go back to your doctor also.

@BOOTS52PollyPrissyPants - it's great to hear that HRT has helped, despite the weight gain. I often want to try it again but just can't bear the thought of the hair loss, but yes, will probably try a different form at some point. I might try the patches next time.

I'm upping my iron from today as a blood test has just shown that, whilst in the normal range, it's still lower than ideal. I'm on ferrous fumarate anyway but will up the dose to two tablets a day.

Short walks, yes, like @declutteringmymind , am longing for the better weather to get out there! I don't seem to have the stamina for weights much these days, or anything vigourous but at least if I can build up to walking for a couple of hours it'd be something. During lockdown that was something that really helped my mood.

@declutteringmymind - will probably have to start having more protein as I'm still reaching for the junk...well, the carbs anyway. Toast is a staple. Really glad you're feeling better; like you say, peri is a roller coaster. And not even an adrenalin high....

The best way to take the iron is one evey other day.

Ditch the toast. Total sugar fest.

Why every other day rather than daily?

@Wombats23 Definitely not reducing iron to every other day - my levels would be in single figures within a couple of months! The dosage is two per day but thought one would do the job. So I'll be taking the stated dose for a while.

Swimming, and sleeping 9-5 (or at least bed) are the only things that have really revived me to any extent.

Nope, seriously, it's absorbed better.

Thers a really good thread about this in General Health.

Link to discussion of research...

Practice update

Are you certain the hair loss is due to HRT rather than the low iron? Feels like a shame to lose out on HRT if this is not really the cause of your hair loss.

Hair loss could be due to low estrogen and testosterone. I’ve just started on testosterone and I’m beginning to feel human again, after 5 years of fighting with different types of estrogens!

Is your GP concerned about your cholesterol? Sorry you're feeling like this, menopause is horrible isn't it x

It depends what kind of bread you are using to make toast. A good wholemeal or seeded bread contains protein, fibre and vitamins, not just carbohydrate.

More precisely, it's how you actually process sugars & starches. I make a fab loaf of sourdough but it's still not that great for me. Add loads of seeds & it's better.

Most bread tho is ultraprocessed, regardless of how brown it is.

I've ditched rice too. I'm not particularly anti-carb but I did glucose monitoring for a couple of weeks & things you'd think were healthy like oats & banana were not good for me.

Cholesterol is 85% genetic, so improving the diet will help with all sorts of other things but probably have only a marginal effect on cholesterol levels.

@Wombats23 - thanks for the info, it's appreciated. As it happens, I was told that I had familial hypercholesterolemia, but they only came to that conclusion because there were no lifestyle factors that could account for it. The fact that no-one else in my family had high cholesterol didn't seem to bother them!

@PlainSkyr - pretty sure, as every time hormones are put into my body, it affects my hair. So, the pill, HRT, even vaginal estrogen (which the GP said was impossible but it definitely happened). However, once my iron is much higher, I'll probably give HRT another go, in patch form. It does eventually stop shedding, but it's so distressing when it happens.

@Coastalvenues - they've suggested statins on a few occasions. Last time, when it was 7.7, the GP didn't seem concerned as my lifestyle, diet, etc is fine. No other risk factors apart from age. However, having seen it go up 6 points in five weeks, am a tad concerned!