Posts by rowdyhawk27

Here is my situation:
30 years old, Female, Vegetarian for 3 years.

- Dealing with anemia since 2009. I had low ferritin once, so I took supplements and my levels have been fine since then. Had blood work done twice over the years to monitor it.
My red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and a few other related metrics have always been inconsistent—either hovering right at the minimum threshold or occasionally spiking above the maximum (I think it was the cell size, if I recall correctly). My doctor never really dug deeper into those specific fluctuations; it’s just been my "normal" since 2009.

- The results are in English, which I hope is alright. I am no longer living in America, so perhaps these values seem more pronounced now. I'm curious to hear what anyone thinks. For now, I've just been told to take iron and come back for a checkup in three months, but I'm wondering about this pattern of being both too low and too high. It's a bit concerning.

- I tend to feel cold quite often and catch colds easily. Sometimes the fatigue is heavy, though usually, I'm fine, except when the exhaustion hits in the afternoon. Periods are regular, though quite painful. 😢

- I should admit my diet isn't perfect. Aside from being a Vegetarian, I don't consume much dairy or many eggs. I eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, avocado, rice, and oats. I don't eat huge quantities, but I wouldn't say I'm thin either. I avoid fast food and greasy, fried meals.

- I recently finished treatment for H. Pylori in my stomach. I wonder if my current blood work reflects that recovery, as I know PPI medication can sometimes mess with the numbers.
- No other underlying medical conditions.
Anyway, I won't ramble on. I would appreciate any insights.

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Maria Fisher46 said:Ma'am,

Your results primarily show a decrease in red blood cell count, while your hemoglobin—which is the more significant metric when assessing anemia—is sitting right at the bottom edge of the normal range.

It also appears that these red blood cells are slightly larger in volume.

The findings are unusual, to say the least.

Since you are on birth control, one would typically expect it to regulate your cycle and mitigate heavy bleeding, which is a frequent culprit behind anemia in women. Furthermore, the red blood cell indices don't really point toward iron deficiency; in those cases, we usually see smaller cells (low MCV) and lower hemoglobin levels, whereas your results show quite the opposite.

The rest of the panel looks fine, though I should note your platelet count is slightly low.

At the very least, I would suggest repeating the Mayo Clinic panel after some time. Even if for no other reason, it's worth doing just to monitor the trends in your red blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets.

Please consult with your physicians.

Best regards. 🙂

Thank you so much for looking this over and responding.
My periods aren't even close to being heavy; they're actually quite light.
But I deal with this issue regarding my red blood cells and hemoglobin
pretty often, along with iron issues (though iron isn't mentioned in this specific lab report).

I'm not sure how I'd even go about fixing these red blood cell numbers—maybe through diet?
But everything I've found so far that helps sounds pretty revolting (though I suppose I could try).

This was originally for my gynecologist.

However, I'll be seeing my primary care doctor in about a month. I plan to ask for a more detailed CBC then to see how everything looks. 🙂

Hello 😁 (this is a great corner of the internet)

age: 27
reason for blood work: I've been on birth control for two years now. I wanted to check how it's affecting my liver, especially if I consider switching brands—if everything looks fine, I'll stay put; if not, I might stop altogether.

medical history: regarding the blood count... for as long as I can remember, anemia has been an issue due to consistently low iron levels (I haven't checked those lately; I think my doctor at Mayo Clinic used to prescribe supplements for that)

results
CBC
result reference range
WBC...................4.7....................... ...........3.4 - 9.7
RBC...................3.41..................... ...........3.88 - 5.08
Hemoglobin..........120........................... .......119 - 157
Hematocrit...........0.335........................ .....0.358 - 0.470
MCV.....................98.4...................... ..............83 - 97.2
MCH.....................35.3...................... ...........27.4 - 33.9
MCHC...................345........................ ...........320 - 345
Platelets............140......................... ..........158 - 424

Clinical Biochemistry
Glucose...................5....................... ...............4.2 - 6
Total Bilirubin.......11................................... .....3 - 20
AST aspartate
aminotransferase......16.......................... .............8 - 30
ALT, alanine
aminotransferase.......8.......................... .............10 - 36
GGT, gamma-
glutamyltransferase.....7......................... ...............9 - 35

So, how bad is this overall, and what is the most concerning part?

Earlier this year, I dealt with
a sore throat and took Amoxicillin.
Then there was a Ureaplasma diagnosis shortly after... I was on Humaquin (Doxycycline). I just got the follow-up results today... cleared.
After that, I supposedly had a bladder infection (is it difficult to provide a clean urine sample?) and took Augmentin... hopefully that's passed.
It also feels like I'm developing allergies... whenever I step outside, my nose runs and my eyelids swell slightly.🤷
That's everything I can recall that might be relevant.

I looked for my iron levels to see if they'd stabilize, but it doesn't look promising. Will it always stay below 5 if the lower limit is 6? :S

Ladies, I need some insight if anyone has experience here.
Last week I started on birth control (the Yaz pack) and now I’ve come down with strep throat. How much does being sick actually impact the effectiveness of the pills? I know the rules about staying on schedule during the first week of a new pack, but what about when you're on the final week?

If anyone knows, please let me know (otherwise, I'll just spend my afternoon Googling it).😉

I'm not quite sure where else to turn, so I'll try my luck here. Has there been some sort of update regarding signature formatting rules lately?
It seems I'm being blocked from using any BB Code at all.

Signature Permissions
Allow Basic BB Code No
Allow Color BB Code No
Allow Size BB Code No
Allow Font BB Code No
Allow Alignment BB Code No
Allow List BB Code No
Allow Link BB Code Yes
Allow HTML No
Allow Image BB Code No
Allow Code BB Code No
Allow PHP BB Code No
Allow HTML BB Code No
Allow Quote BB Code No
Allow Smilies No
Can Upload Images for Signature No
Can Upload Animated GIF for Signature No

Does anyone know what's going on?

Emily Reed60 said:Hey there 🙂
So, I’ve got a bit of a situation here:
I’m on the pill, and last week I took my first pill from a new pack, but then on Tuesday, I totally blanked and missed it—so I ended up taking it with an 11-hour delay. The instructions say to use backup protection for a week, which, okay, I get that part.
But now, almost a full week has passed, and then yesterday, I went and forgot again! I just took it now with a 12-hour delay (and this was actually the very first pill of the second week). The manual says you just take the pill and that’s it, nothing else, but I guess I’m wondering if since this is my second time missing a dose within the same pack, it actually messes with how effective the pills are supposed to be?🙂

Honestly, you're probably better off using condoms for the rest of the month. :S It feels a bit too risky; at least if it were me.

And for next month, maybe set a phone alarm for a specific time when you know you'll actually be around.

There isn't much point in taking them at all if you're going to keep forgetting like this.

Nathan Baker said:😁 It won't. Honestly, you don't really need to be hitting them down to the exact minute anyway.

pda
I think it even mentions there’s a six-hour window where you can take the pill without things going sideways.

Now, whether that means three hours before or three hours after—most likely it does. Otherwise, wouldn't the window be twelve hours or something?

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve turned off my alarm, completely forgotten about it, and then remembered two hours later.😁

electrichound78 said:Hey, does anyone actually know which pills are the newest on the market right now? Like, what’s the latest tech out there? Looking for the freshest stuff available.
So, Yaz was the one who recommended gin to me, and now I’m sitting here wondering—are there any newer versions out there? You know, something maybe a bit easier on the system with fewer side effects?

It doesn't quite work like that.

One quick question or two🙂>

If you don't have supplemental insurance, do you still have to pay out of pocket for a coagulogram, liver function tests, and a CBC? And if so, roughly how much?
I’ve been on the pill for over a year now and it just isn't working for me anymore. I’d like to get all these tests done before I switch so I can see where my levels actually stand.

Also, if anyone happens to know, what’s the cost for a Pap smear and an ultrasound without supplemental coverage?
Everything would be at the local community health clinic.

Thanks

Benjamin Robinson3 said:Problem. I always take my Cilest between 10:20 PM and 10:40 PM, but I just took it now (11:30 PM). Tell me it'll still work; I'm totally spacey even though my alarm went off earlier to remind me. Does that hour difference actually matter?

It works. You don't need to be precise down to the second.
As long as you're within a six-hour window, you should be fine. 🙂

copperranger4 said:CILEST

I take it, and honestly, you have to wait at least a full day after starting them before drinking anything else. Besides, you really ought to be using extra protection.

How did you miss that in the instructions?

copperranger4 said:So, I went ahead and asked the pharmacist at CVS, and here’s the deal—those pills actually start working from the very first day you take them, regardless of when you start... the only catch is that you really need to kick them off on day one of your period just to make sure your cycle stays on track. At least, that's what she told me...
Now my period isn't due for another 21 days... I'm just praying there's absolutely no chance I'm pregnant, since I did take them!

They do work starting from the first day, provided you take them on day one of your cycle.
All of these types of pills function that way.

By the way, I hope you aren't pregnant.

Laura Mendoza said:Unfortunately, I’m well aware that there are gynecologists out there who will prescribe birth control pills to anyone without a second thought. However, I don't believe that someone just starting to consider hormonal contraception should be told they can simply pick whichever brand they want without any guidance.😳

If you can manage it, sure. It’s standard practice to run that through Gin.

That’s exactly what she’s going to pick: Trikvilar, Jaz, Jasmin, Logest, or Cilest. 🤷
If you guess right on the first try, great. If not, we’ll settle for second or third.

I'd suggest offering her the stuff they push most often—the high-commission items. It doesn't necessarily mean those will be the best fit for her, obviously.
It’s essentially the same thing. She can choose to go with what’s been offered, or she doesn't have to. It’s like she’s the one calling the shots on which direction to take. 🤷

I’ve told them everything—everything regarding Gin. We're already in agreement.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time reading up on this and comparing notes with Gin, so I’m not just posting this for the sake of hearing myself talk.

The distinction only matters if you're taking those pills for PCOS, birth control, or acne. In those cases, the perspective shifts quite a bit.

@feralstag11

Look, my OBGYN does her own research too. I actually tried two different brands that just didn't sit right with me, so after doing a ton of digging myself, I eventually suggested what would

Besides, most pills on the market today are remarkably similar. You're honestly lucky if you stumble upon the right one on your first try.
The whole idea that they can pick a specific pill based solely on your hormone levels isn't quite how it works.
Basically, she looks at your lab results, and if everything checks out, she prescribes something. It’s either because she gets a kickback from certain brands or she just knows from experience which ones work for most people.
(I actually brought this up with my doctor. Most of these have similar estrogen levels and some type of synthetic progesterone. There's no way for her to know exactly which one will suit your specific chemistry—maybe she can gauge the strength, but that's about it. Then they suggest things like Yaz or Yasmin, claiming they're "low dose," when they really aren't.)

Like I mentioned earlier, most doctors don't even bother running tests. That's why I asked. Before my current doctor, I had one who just handed me pills without any testing whatsoever—no hormone panels, no blood work, nothing regarding coagulation...
That's why I said most of them go that route.

Even in a place like Chicago, there are only about seven gynecological clinics, so you don't exactly have an endless menu of options to swap through on a whim. If you're in a smaller town, the choice is even more limited.

To be honest, a lot of OBGYNs are pretty irresponsible when it comes to this.
And those Linydete pills? They were recently added to the supplemental list, and composition-wise, they're identical to Logest.

Laura Mendoza said:Yasmin is talking about $33, specifically regarding a Yaz pill with 125 mcg of estrogen. Look, you shouldn't just grab whatever happens to be the cheapest option on the shelf; you need to take exactly what your gynecologist prescribes. In the US, insurance coverage varies wildly, but don't assume everything is covered under your plan. Also, keep in mind that prescription durations fluctuate—some are valid for six months, while others last for a full year.

It covers these ones:

which actually have the lowest hormone levels.

And honestly, you can suggest which specific pill you want—I always do. It’s not like half these doctors bother checking anyway 🤷 (most just hand out whatever they get a kickback from)

Morgan Cruz6 said:I hope I’m not hijacking this thread right out of the gate... =)

I picked up some Lindynette 20 at the pharmacy to delay my period (since I'm heading to the coast)... and the pharmacist told me to take two a day starting three days before my cycle is due, and then just keep going for as many days as I want to postpone it...

In that case, do these pills still work as contraception??

No.

For them to function as birth control and actually be effective, you have to start the first pack on the very first day of your cycle.

darkwalker2 said:So, ladies, I was at the pharmacy yesterday and picked up some nettle tea. The pharmacist there insisted it was the premier choice if you're looking for a natural diuretic. And honestly, it’s working—I feel like I’m constantly racing toward the restroom. It makes me wonder if all that excess fluid is actually being flushed out of my system, though from where I’m sitting, it seems 😁
. Actually, let me correct myself because I clearly spread some misinformation earlier—it isn't about using potassium to flush out water, but rather using it to replenish what gets lost when you're on certain medications. That’s how the lady at the counter explained it to me yesterday. I suppose I must have misunderstood the elderly woman I spoke to before, since she’s the one currently taking potassium supplements.

It might work differently for you, but I started drinking nettle tea once I noticed my body holding onto water.

I’ve been sipping it for two years now. Even without my pills, I tend to bloat a bit if I sit too long or indulge in salty snacks (which I absolutely love, though I’m trying to cut back).
But when I'm on the medication, it's a whole different story.

And honestly, the nettle doesn't touch the bloating caused by the pills, even though I drink two cups a day.🙂

Brian Anderson4 said:Hey everyone!
Sorry for being lazy, but honestly, I have zero desire to scroll through 139 pages when I'm sure someone already asked this somewhere else. ^^'
So, I want to start on birth control pills! (I'm 19.)
I have a few questions:
1. Is it actually true that you can only take the pill for a few years and then you're just done with it forever? o.O
2. What's the actual process for getting a prescription, and will it cost me anything if I have health insurance?
I haven't even seen a gynecologist yet (I've been planning to for ages, but I have no clue how to go about it, who to see, or what I need to bring for a first appointment—whatever an appointment even entails 😢).

Thanks in advance for the help! 😉

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=birth+control+pills

darkwalker2 said:What other indicators point toward water retention? Since my nephrologist isn't exactly taking my word for it—which is a bit frustrating, if you ask me—can this be spotted through bloodwork or some other metric? Like, would there be specific levels that run high or low?

For me, my legs get massive—especially below the knees—to the point where my skin feels tight.
My ankles basically disappear. If I press my finger where the ankle bone should be, it leaves a dent about 3-5 mm deep. :S

If you wear rings (I don't anymore), your fingers swell up so much you can't even slide them off.
Even socks leave those deep elastic marks, even if they aren't too small.😁

Anyway, if you're retaining fluid, you'll notice. Personally, I feel bloated all over, especially in my lower abdomen, but it looks particularly bad lately... maybe because of the heat.

I'm starting on the new pills in a few days.

(I've been on these ones for about a year now.)

If you have any of these symptoms and tell her, but she refuses to believe you, then it’s time to switch doctors.
There isn't really a specific lab test to prove it. :S
At least as far as I know.

Yesterday, my legs felt so swollen that there was a half-centimeter indentation from my sock edges. You wouldn't believe how much fluid I was holding.😢
It’s awful.

I've been thinking for a few months about how I'd get to my doctor to pick up something with lower hormone levels. I figured I'd ask for Logest... but now I see these Lindynette ones are essentially the same thing, they just ended up on this specific list. Does one usually need supplemental insurance for that kind of coverage, or does standard insurance typically handle it?

Though, the progesterone composition is slightly different with those, so I’m not sure how much that would impact the water retention issue.

Does anyone here know—if I try switching to Logest or Lindynette and they don't sit right with me, can I just go back to Celest? That's what I've been on for a few months now, but since the third month, the swelling has been quite intense.