Low Iron

So, I got some of my blood work back today.  The stuff my nurse practitioner ordered.  My TSH is still within normal at 1.84.  But I don't like that it is still trending up.  I do best with a TSH below 1 but I know no one wants to fool around with my TSH through meds too much during pregnancy.  The nurse I spoke to today said that normal is up to 5.  Um no.  The new international standards go from 0.35 to 3.5 (or 3?).  A 5 is too high.  Why are Canadian medical professionals so behind the times?  So, I stay on my current dosage for now. 

Unfortunately, my iron level is too low.  So back on the supplements I go.  I brought them along with me on my trip so I started today along with an orange to help absorption.  Unfortunately, most of the things the nurse mentioned for dietary iron are out of bounds.  Dried fruit?  Sulphites are used for preservation.  A no-no for me.  You really don't want to see me after I've had a reaction to sulphites.  Not pretty.  Leafy greens?  Totally a no-go zone during pregnancy for me.  (I can't believe I didn't vomit up the cabbage I ate last night ... nasty ... and I know it isn't a leafy green.  That was an example of what veggies are doing to me.)  The only one that is okay is legumes but my body doesn't like vegetarian options much.  If I eat vegetarian choices I have to eat them at supper time otherwise my insulin gets thrown off.  I'm pretty much a master at organizing my menu and meal and snack choices but this is getting ridiculous. 

Oh, and I still haven't gained more than 5 pounds.  The only one who was concerned was the student midwife I saw last time.  I'm perfectly happy not to gain 20 pounds or more.  As long as baby is growing fine, and he is, I'm quite happy not to have a ton of weight to lose after.  With PCOS and a thyroid problem there is no way extra weight would be coming off after pregnancy.  None.

My niece came over this afternoon for a little visit.  My sister was happy to get out of the house since my nephew was fussy today.  Likely another tooth.  My niece took one long look at my belly and said 'the baby is growing fast'.  I wasn't sure if she meant my baby or her brother since he's growing fast too.  She meant me and my belly.  lol  If she can see he's growing fine I don't know why the student midwife is all out of sorts.

14dpIUI, 13dpo

Nothing much going on here.  I think I figured out the mystery of the stomach cramps ... iron supplements.  I didn't take my pill yesterday or today because I couldn't be bothered to get up early (6 am is early enough).  I had a bit of stomach cramping at lunch today too and that's when I clued in.  I'm going to avoid them for a few days as recommended and then try a different type, a slow release or a liquid form.

My temp didn't drop like I had expected but it didn't really go up like I'd hoped, either.  It went up a 10th of a degree, so it basically flatlined.  I guess that is better than a plummeting temp but it would have been a better sign had it jumped again.  I don't understand how I can be on progesterone and still have such crazy temps.  That makes no sense to me.  I've also been having crazy cramping below my belly button today.  I'm pretty sure that it isn't related to implantation or pregnancy, though.  More likely intestinal like gas or something I'm sure. :-(  My breasts are no longer sore and they definitely don't feel full, nothing like last month so I'm taking that as a sign this cycle will be over shortly.

I can't believe the clinic didn't give me a weekend date for a beta.  I get that they want to cut the work load for the weekend workers but I think it is silly to make someone wait until 17dpo for a beta especially when you are on progesterone. 

I still plan on testing on Saturday as that is 15dpo and AF should normally show up that day.  My decision to not test this morning was actually a good one.  I saved a test (those things are ridiculously expensive) and I didn't have pre-test anxiety.  I didn't obsess about it last night, didn't have any difficulty sleeping and I didn't have any negative test results to deal with today.  So I call that one a WIN.  ;-)

On a happier non-ttcing note my central vac system is in and I just need to arrange for an install.  Then I can get busy and super vacuum my carpets.