Health Update: Still Foggy, Still Fighting
This isn’t a breakthrough post.
It’s a keep-going-anyway post.
I haven’t re-tested with Function Health yet — I’m still figuring out the timing and cost.
They advertise the plan as $499/year, but what they don’t tell you upfront is that only certain labs are included in the retest.
Naturally, I want to recheck the biomarkers that were out of range.
But unfortunately, that’s not how it works.
So yes — it’s going to cost more money out of pocket.
In the meantime, a few other things have happened.
On July 1, I began a round of slow IV iron therapy —
Five sessions,
200 mg of Venofer each,
1,000 mg total.
This was to help restore my ferritin levels, which dropped to 9, down from 12 in March.
For context? The conventional medicine reference range for ferritin in women (ages 18–50) is 15–150 ng/mL.
But in functional medicine? The optimal range is 50–100 ng/mL.
So when your ferritin is at 9?
Your entire system is in distress.
Here’s what that can feel like:
Joint pain and stiffness
Hair loss (especially at the temples)
Constant colds, infections, or reactivated viruses
Low thyroid function
Depression or emotional numbness
Anxiety and inner restlessness
Emotional hypersensitivity
Apathy, lack of joy, or motivation
Cold all the time — even when it’s warm
Honestly, it sounded too simple to explain everything I’ve been feeling.
But the deeper I dug, the more it made sense.
Here’s the wild part:
This iron issue didn’t begin with my gastric sleeve surgery in 2016 —
though doctors were quick to blame that.
After reviewing old records, I discovered that back in 2015, my ferritin was already at a 4.
Four.
That was a full year before surgery.
And still… no one investigated further.
I even had a full hysterectomy in 2020, thinking maybe my heavy periods were the cause.
No one stopped to ask:
“Why is your body struggling in the first place?”
This is what happens when doctors don’t take a functional lens to your health.
Then came the Hashimoto’s diagnosis.
My doctor acknowledged I’m in the early stages, and her response?
“We don’t do anything at this point.”
Seriously?
So now, I’ve been referred to a rheumatologist — my first ever.
The appointment’s scheduled for August.
Yes, I’m staying in conventional medicine for now so I can use my insurance.
But let me be very clear:
I’m not blindly following anyone just because they have credentials.
I’ll stay the advocate. Always.
Because these autoimmune markers might explain everything.
I also tapered off my antidepressants a few months ago.
Zero difference.
If anything, I feel more emotionally clear — and more myself — than I have in years.
Maybe it’s the supplements.
Maybe it’s the iron.
Maybe both.
Maybe neither.
Time will tell.
Since April, I’ve added more supplements to my protocol.
I’m currently taking 13 different supplements daily.
It’s a lot.
And I don’t feel radically different yet.
But this isn’t about overnight results.
It’s about staying in the fight — even when it feels like nothing is changing.
I’ve also been showing up in other ways:
First colonoscopy at 46 — completely clean. Good for 10 years. (The prep? Pure torture.)
First dental crown — after six months of research on materials. My dentist passed the test.
First mammogram this week — and yes, I’m a proud member of the itty bitty titty committee, but it still matters.
The truth?
This isn’t glamorous.
It’s gritty.
It’s exhausting.
And it’s often discouraging.
But I’m committed to staying in the arena — because that is where healing happens.
I’m encouraged by the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement and the growing awareness of functional medicine.
But let’s be honest — we’ve let this system break people for too long.
Real change won’t come overnight.
Until it does, more people will keep suffering —
unless they take their health into their own hands.
And that?
Might be the greatest gift you’ll ever give yourself.
You are worth the fight.
You are worth the effort.
And you are not alone.
If you’re starting your own health journey and don’t know where to begin —
reach out.
I’m happy to share what I’ve learned.
With heart,
Rebecca
*FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE.
