Perimenopause - low iron - what next?

[sleepsuit]

Would really appreciate advice from anyone who has ever been in a similar situation!

I'm only just 40. Been experiencing what I thought may be symptoms of perimenopause over the last six months.

• tiredness, anxiety, irritability, horrendous PMS symptoms, shorter and lighter periods, poor sleep (really fucking terrible sleep), anxiety, anxiety, anxiety. Also a touch of brain fog!

Dr has scanned me, also full blood test for thyroid,. everything, you name it. Also put me on escitolopram 5mg.

All came back clear except low iron.

Escitolopram has definitely taken the edge off my anxiety. It's still there a bit - but it's different, it's better. Has anyone raised the dosage at this point?

Iron tablets have just started a week ago.

I haven't felt myself for a while. With young kids and a busy life I did think "is this it?" But I'm not sure.

Will things improve with iron tablets and escitolopram? Anyone had any experience here? How did you feel?

Or do I push back for more investigation?

At a bit of a loss!!!

Hello sleepsuit
Definitely been there. If you have low iron anemia, then iron will help get your energy levels up. It takes a few months though. But all your symptoms are not just down to anemia. A lot sounds like perimenopause. There are solutions. I went through the whole suffering for over 10 years but found out later there was no need. There is a wonderful programme on bbc sounds whatsup docs on headaches. I think on doctors notes. Anyway, you can have hormone help perhaps something called a mirena coil fitted? Do discuss it with a gp who is actually interested and specialises in menopause. As far as escitalopram goes 5mg is not an effective dose for any mental disorder. It might help a bit, bit if you have developed depression, you need 10mg a day at least. Also easily researched on Google, wiki, etc. The answer is not necessarily more tests. You rarely get hormone levels tested in the nhs and little to be gained by it. But if you know you are going through perimenopause, do try a proper intervention. You need a gp with a special interest in menopause or do your own research and ask for what you want. After all, a coil can easily be taken out if it doesn't suit you. There are a million supplements about which I have tried also. But some of them have gastric side effects and I have tried one after the other otc for months and years. Finally what helps me is hrt plus antimigraine pills. What you need maybe different. I just wish someone had told me 15 years back that there was a solution and this is not Just midlife/menopause/be stoic/take antidepressants. Hope this helps.

I had similar at a similar age. I was put on low dose HRT patches but actually my ferritin, b 12 and vit D were all low but ‘normal’ even though I was so anxious I could barely function and my hair was falling out, thunderous palpitations and I just felt so so unwell. I took iron on the advice of a practice nurse who just happened to see in my notes that my ferritin had dropped from 36 to 24 to 12 (benchmark of low is 11). It’s still fairly low actually but the 3 in combination has helped my overall energy levels. My sleep is so much improved as well and i generally feel better, although I still have anxiety it’s not ‘through the roof’ like before.

Make sure to take vitamin c with the iron (I get the fizzy ones and just drink it with all my vitamins!)
every other day is better for less side effects