For quite some time now, I’ve been struggling with brain fog.

I can’t find the right words. I forget where I put my phone. Sometimes I walk into a room and have no idea why I went there.
It’s affecting my work too. I’ll read a client’s email two or three times and still struggle to understand what they’re need or what they’re asking. Concentrating feels much harder than it used to.
On top of that, I’m tired all the time. By the middle of the day, I could easily go to sleep, but I know that if I nap, I’ll be awake until 3 a.m.
I finally had some blood tests done, and the results showed that I’m low in both iron and vitamin D.
Could that really be the reason?
I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow, so hopefully I’ll get some answers. Maybe there’s a simple explanation after all—and hopefully, a way to start feeling like myself again.
Ilze
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do you get in the sun enough? Those are both symptoms of lacking sun exposure also fibromyalgia
Sun? In Latvia!? 😄 This year hasn’t been too bad, but once October arrives, we enter our long gray season. We might get a few months of snow if we’re lucky, and then it’s back to endless gray skies until May.
I’m even taking the monthly dose of vitamin D that’s prescribed here, but apparently it still isn’t enough….
Latvia reminds me of an episode of Seinfeld with George and Kramer.
I think they sell special lights you can use as therapy but not sure if they are available where you are
Latvian Orthodox? 🙂
It could very well be, Ilze. I looked it up with Doctor AI :-). Both vitamin D deficiency and iron deficiency can contribute to fatigue, poor concentration, and forgetfulness. Iron deficiency is actually one of the most common causes of persistent fatigue, while low vitamin D can also affect energy levels, mood, and cognitive function. So yes, that’s certainly a possible cause. It’s good that you had the blood tests done. Your (real) doctor will probably prescribe a course of treatment if the results confirm a deficiency.
That’s what I’m hoping too. 😊 The blood tests showed that I’m low in both iron and vitamin D, so at least there’s something concrete to explain how I’ve been feeling. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow, so hopefully I’ll get a treatment plan and start feeling like myself again.
Fingers crossed it’s something that can be fixed!
Ilze, I am happy that you are seeing your doctor! Low iron can certainly make you feel tired. My iron is low too, my doctor put me on two OTC iron tabs twice per week which has not hurt anything! She also suggested that I eat red meat once or twice per month as I don’t eat red meat. I hope you feel much better soon! 🙏🏻😊
Thank you! 😊 I actually had iron problems before as well, and interestingly, nothing seemed to help until I tried the natural “Floradix” tonic. It worked much better for me than the other things I had tried.
I think I’ll start with that again and then listen to what my doctor has to say tomorrow. It will be interesting to see what she recommends this time. 😊
Cause every time I’m in there – I’m too fat – and that is “excuse” for everything!
Let’s hope and expect it indeed is ‘that simple’. You are bit to young for Alzheimer.
I hope not! My cousin at this age was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis… I hope this isn’t the case! I’m certain it’s not the case!
Take care.
Thank you, I hope I’m doing this 🙂
The Vitamin D will help, Ilze. I had a round of bloodwork last summer and the only thing I was deficient in is Vitamin D. I’m still fatigued a lot of the time, but I think that’s from living in survival mode for the last ten years! After a year of taking Vit D daily I do feel better. I hope you will too 🙂
How do you stop living in survival mode? That’s something I’m really working on right now, but it’s not happening as quickly as I hoped. It feels like that mode has been switched on ever since having kids and never fully turned off. I’m hoping to feel some improvement in the next few weeks — I’ve started taking iron and vitamin D supplements, so we’ll see!
Hope it’s as simple as taking vitamins! Getting enough sleep can help your symptoms too!
I know, but I can’t sleep! It’s like… don’t know how you say in english, but …. circle…
Ceru kad bus tik vienkarsi un tev but viss labi,
Paldies!
Hope you begin to feel better – seems like there is a good solution.
🙂 Thank you! Will see!
Ilze – this is actually my specialty in integrated medicine – I am still studying at three US universities and with a number of specialist doctors . . . I promise I won’t write pages but shall send you a few lines over the weekend! Be careful with iron but begin with vit D immediately. Methinks there is much more to that but ‘ordinary’ doctors are still pretty blind! Heaps of love . . .
Thank you, please write! You know my email 🙂
Also… the liver is suffering….
I am so sorry to hear this, Lize. I hope it will be an easy fix and you are feeling very well and energetic very soon. Hugs.
Thank you! I so what the easy fix 🙂
Iron and vitamin D can have a big effect on you! Hopefully they will be able to help you with an easy fix!
I so want the easy fix 🙂
Oh…. I would love the easy fix … I’m tired!
Wishing you back on your feet, soon x
Thank you 🙂
Good that the tests were done. I am sure it will be fixed with proper diet and supplements. Good luck with Doctor visit.
What is proper diet nowadays!?
How did it go at Doctor’s office? Have you been prescribed medicine and/or diet chart?
…more time to myself. Going back in few weeks, then will have “another talk” about “more results” 🙂
Will see.
More than a decade ago during the end of my PhD studies, I neglected my health completely, which resulted in severe anemia.
I was prescribed iron tablets, and my GP also recommended that I include liver paste, a popular bread spread in Norway, in my diet. It helped me.
i love liver paste and also fish liver paste 🙂 also here in Latvia it’s popular spread 🙂
Good then give it a try and see results 😊