u/I_JstWnt2EnjoyMyLife

Okay so I’m 25F and I’ve basically been figuring out my own health at this point because my doctors won’t.
I’ve been suffering from brain fog, getting out of breath from simple tasks, heart racing from feeding my dogs, and so much more.

I told my doctor I wanted to get checked for iron deficiency and he told me none of my symptoms could be caused by it. He wouldn’t even let me explain. He acted like I was stepping on his years of experience.

Then, and I kid you fucking not, this man proceeded to to tell me to ask my grandmother about my periods when I mentioned I bleed heavy (I have PCOS). It was clear HE DID NOT read my chart or the bloodwork he ordered where my hemoglobin was 11.6. I made a whole post about it 3 days ago.

Anyway I got myself tested through LabCorp and what do you know… I’m iron deficient.

•Ferritin: 19
•Iron saturation: 14%
•Iron: 53

Well anyways I’ve decided to tread myself and order some Iron and Vitamin C supplements.

But I came across information about the connection between PCOS, Iron Deficiency and Celiac Disease.

I also get acid reflux, have random hiccups out of nowhere, my stomach is always active after I eat things. Sometimes I even get cramps. I’m alway bloated after eating. I have excema that I can’t calm down no matter what.

Also, I’m vitamin D deficient and was given prescription supplements to take weekly for 3 months but my vitamin D levels did not rise so I’m think I might have malabsorption.

I’m still debating on if I should take the Celiac test at LabCorp. I’ll have to do it myself and pay $115 because I know my doctor won’t order it himself. Then if I am, I’ll take the results and go to another doctor.

But again…I am still debating on how worth it it is. Because I don’t get really bad stomach pain from eating bread. And also I’m overweight at 265, not underweight at all.

I'm 25F, Black, ADHD and PCOS. My hemoglobin came back low at 11.6 (was 12.2 two years ago, trending down), my cholesterol is flagged, and I have periods that last weeks. I asked for an iron panel. He said nothing was wrong, told me my heavy menstrual is ‘probably to blame’ but also to ask my grandmother about periods, and said I should stop Googling. Wouldn’t order a single test.

I’ve had pica (craving sand and dirt) since I was a teen. I’m out of breath walking down two steps. My nails have ridges. My hair won’t grow even after dermatologist treatment. Food doesn’t as good as everyone around me thinks. The inside of my eyelids are pale.

I forget things. For example, one time I was tying my shoes while talking to my roommate, I bent down to tie the other and forgot how to tie my fucking shoes. I stood there for 4 minutes waiting for it to come to me but my mind remained foggy and so I just tucked them. I often have these moments. This isn’t just normal adhd.

My eyes feel sunken. And no matter what I’m alway tired. Even tried prescribed sleeping pill for insomnia.

Crazy thing is, it was clear he did not read my blood work results from the hemoglobin and cholesterol test that was flagged red. He didn’t address anything in my test results that was flagged red. He didn’t know about my pcos until I mentioned it even though it was in my chart. It’s like he came in completely uninformed about me.

Then proceeded to ask about my behavioral health appointment. His tone and language was basically calling me mentally ill for requesting a fucking iron and ferritin levels check. Like wtf. And even though I had documented vitamin D deficiency from a previous pcp he denied my request for that too.

So I'm going to LabCorp out of pocket. Getting the Fatigue Panel which tests ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, HbA1c, CBC, and a full metabolic panel. $143 because my doctor won't do his job. I had to borrow from afterpay to afford it but it’s my health and I’ve dealt with too many dismissive and non attentive doctors here in Deep South Louisiana.

Anyone else had to go around their own doctor to get answers?