Question: Hello,

Active 52 yo female. I had an almost exhaustive checkup this year on my birthday as a gift to myself. The doctor checked some vitamin levels because I told her I was taking B12, D3 and iron supplements. She told me I was deficient in those three and to supplement and take a multi. B12 - 1000 ug, D3 - 1000 iu and 18mg iron. I now take about 5000 ug B12 and 2000 D3 and a multi. I was taking 45 mg slow Fe and when I went back to 18 mg, I started getting dizzy spells and nausea upon standing again, so I went back to 45 mg. I might add that SEVERAL symptoms have reversed in 2 months of supplementing, including anxiety and depression neither of which were helped by pharmaceuticals. I feel better than I have in 7 years. And, I believe some of the deficiencies may have been caused by severe and chronic stress. I have recently extricated myself from 2 abusive relationships. Not an easy feat! Unfortunately, I lost my job and insurance so, I can not afford to follow up with a doctor. I am mostly wondering about how much iron it is safe to take. It's ferritin. And, I noticed my fingernails. They're pale at the base and slightly darker about .25 inch at the top of the nail bed. They used to be just one pale color. Is the new pink a good sign the pink is returning to my nail beds? My kidneys or liver are both good according to the blood work. And I can give numbers of MCVs or HGBs or whatever. I don't know what these numbers mean. Thank you.
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Hello, Dr. Hudda. Thank you for your response! I hope you and yours are well!

Unfortunately, I don't have any other blood work report.

I’m surprised you say I may not need iron. When I decreased from 45 mg ferrous sulfate slow Fe to 18 mg unspecified Fe in a multi, I got dizziness and nausea again upon standing from crouching. So, I’m nervous about stopping Fe. Could the different effect have to do with the ferrous sulfate being slow or time-released? They always seem to be more mgs, but it’s the only thing that seems to help. I will keep in mind the serum ferritin and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) test when I get my next job and insurance. Hopefully, very soon! I don’t want to overdo the iron, but I don’t want to stop either. Can I go by how I feel until I get those levels checked? Or would that be bad? That was my main concern and it seems I need more blood work to answer it definitively. I guess those symptoms could be related to something else. (There’s no way I could be pregnant).

I have been taking Fe, B12 and D3 religiously since April 2015. Started 1,000 mg B12 last year, half-heartedly. Often have taken Fe during menses, started taking more seriously since 2013 when I had a 3 week long menstrual period and started taking it monthly. D3 is relatively new since last year. I also take a multi, 500mg C (with the Fe), Omega 3 oil, probiotics and a Calcium chew with abt 400 iu D.

Symptoms:
* Sleeping only 4 hours a night. Waking to urinate 4-5 times a night. Nightmares. Waking with heart palpitations like panic;
* Anxiety, panic, inability to concentrate, depression, fatigue, crying, stress eating, weight gain, exaggerated startle response;
* Tingling and numbness in right thigh. Pain where thigh meets pelvis especially when standing after sitting;
* Shortness of breath, lack of stamina, fatigue, difficulty recovering after exercising;
* Lack of sweat when I did .5 hours aerobics. Only noticed this recently when I started sweating again during a daily walk;
* Dizziness and nausea going from crouching to standing.
* My knees have always cracked when I squatted. Was embarrassing in ballet classes 30 years ago. I do a squat test daily to check for dizziness. Noticed my knees no longer crack.
* Dull skin and tired and old looking.
* Teeth chattering and knees knocking when nervous (performing music on stage.) I don’t remember ever shaking when I danced professionally.
* Once yearly heavy menstrual period lasting 3 weeks.
* Woke in a puddle of sweat on my chest 1 or 2 times the past few years.
* Return of pink at distal end of nail bed is very new. I don’t ever remember having moons except very light and small ones on my thumbs.

Much of that nerve related, I think. The ONLY symptom that hasn’t seemed to improve is blurry vision when reading. It got bad suddenly and I take 25 mg lutein for it but haven’t noticed a difference. I know I’m aging, and can’t expect to feel like I did at 20, but I’m pretty healthy and don’t want to take symptoms for granted as just being “old age.” Besides, 50 is not that old. I recently went through a serious trauma and my hormones are shifting. But, if vitamins can reverse symptoms… The calm has felt a little unsettling. LOL I actually watched a few horror movies recently to see if I could get a rise out of myself. Nothing. No bad dreams even.

I also know my cholesterol is high. It always has been. My doctor said since the ratio is good, so she’s not too worried. It was just over 300 and in 2006, I got it down to 240 without meds. I have been eating a lot of comfort food through stressful events the past few years, but lately I’ve been working hard at taking care of myself and being more active. I DO need to eat less pizza and fewer cheeseburgers. Since I’m starting to feel better, I’m eating more salads and fruit, nuts. I carry filtered water everywhere I go in a stainless steel bottle (not plastic). I did drink more alcohol than ever in my life when I was in the seriously abusive relationship, but now, in the past 2 years, I only have 1-2 (usually 1) when I perform music on stage with friends. I am making much better choices.

I never smoked, I don’t do drugs, I eat minimal sugar and no fake sugar, and I don’t drink soda. I have one decaf coffee a day and sometimes unsweetened ice tea mixed with lemonade in the afternoon. I walk almost every day. Once a week, I walk 5 miles outdoors part of that in nature. I do a little yoga. I keep it light because I used to get so exhausted by it and haven’t felt ready to do more just yet. My lifestyle is pretty healthy, but I need to lay off the junk. Apparently, pink returning to my nails can indeed be due to reversal in health. I wasn’t really worried about it (until I searched Google). I thought and think it is good sign. Thank you! I am not going to worry, but I'll continue my search for a job so I can follow up on the iron issue, as you suggested.

I hope I answered all your questions. I’m sorry this is long. I appreciate your taking the time to read my message and provide your feedback.

All the best to you and yours! RC