Reduced iron stores but no iron panel

[VitaminB12]

Today the doctor said an iron panel isn't necessary because although my iron stores are "reduced" my hemoglobin is OK. He doesn't think an iron supplement is needed. I read that iron is important to thyroid function. I'm a lacto-ovo vegetarian.

I have to wait until January, 2015 for bloodwork regarding my hypothyroidism.

[Barb135]

We know from past threads that your thyroid levels are low and your low iron levels aren't helping that.  The poor skin and hair condition can be caused by either/both hypothyroidism and low iron.  Swollen scalloped tongue is also caused by hypothyroidism.

Can you get Free T3 added to the lab order for January?  I know, in Canada, they don't like to do that because of your healthcare system.

[VitaminB12]

You wrote, "Can you get Free T3 added to the lab order for January?  I know, in Canada, they don't like to do that because of your healthcare system."

I hope so!

I have also become concerned about getting enough Omega-3 as a vegetarian.I went to a couple recent free health talks at Goodness Me and I learned there's a plant based product (algae, etc) that's suppose to be as good as fish oil. This is suppose to be good for the skin ...

[Barb135]

We've heard from numerous others in Canada that the healthcare system does not think FT3 is important/relevant to thyroid care.  Talk to your doctor about it.

Well, the best sources of Omega-3 come from fish - no better source.  The problem with algae is that it's algae and not as good as fish, no matter what they tell you.  Omega-3 is very important for keeping cholesterol levels down.

Are you putting lotions on your skin and it still remains dry? Aloe vera is very good at moisturizing the skin...

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for your post.
Skin issues including acne (face and body) and strange scalp condition not typical dandruff. At one of those two talks I attended it was suggested that when the skin is dry the body tries to moisturize it by overproduction of oil resulting in various conditions due to imbalance. Over the past few years my skin has become more sensitive, less clear, and more dry especially in winter.

[Barb135]

I've never seen anything to indicate that the body tries to moisturize the skin by overproducing oil.  I'd have to see scientific studies in order to buy into that.  

It's normal for the skin to dry and become more sensitive and less clear as we age.  It's also normal for skin to become drier in the winter because we're in heated homes/buildings, where moisture is removed from the air by heating systems.  Dry skin and other skin problems are also common symptoms of being hypo.

The skin on some parts of your body can tend to be oily, while it can be dry on other parts of your body... for instance, my face has a tendency to be oily, but my legs/arms are always dry and often feel like alligator skin - because in summer, we use the air conditioner and in winter, we use the furnace; both remove moisture from the air.

[VitaminB12]

Thanks for your post.
Excerpt from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acne_vulgaris
"Acne more often affects skin with a greater number of oil glands; these areas include the face, the upper part of the chest, and the back."
"Menopause-associated acne (known as acne climacterica) occurs as production of the natural anti-acne ovarian hormones estradiol and progesterone fail, permitting the acnegenic hormone testosterone to exert its effects unopposed."

Of course skin becomes drier in winter because humidity is low, but I'm referring to a significant change such as areas of skin that crack and bleed or doesn't respond to moisturizer. I wonder to if perhaps the possible onset of perimenopause is also a factor.