u/carneviva

This entire exchange was so incredibly awkward yet so absolutely dynamic and the foreshadowing. Initially one doesn't think Peggy gets it, then...

Left picture Nov 2024. Inflamed to the heavens as evidenced. Right picture February 2026. Dx 2023 at age 43 with Hashimoto's (undiagnosed hypothyroidism most of my young adult life, I realized). I began zepbound in April 2025. Heaviest was 175 (5'3"), and that is with years of intermittent fasting, clean eating, low alcohol use (2 drinks max on weekends, if that), training on/off due to injury bc of Hashimoto strain on our joints/muscles/system- previous training included heavy weights, 10/20mi walks weekly, yoga, calisthenics, cycling, etc. Scale would just climb and climb. Current 135lbs. Titrating to lower dose due to weight goal being met. The anti-inflammatory properties of this medication are incredible, however, important to note that with this condition our iron/ferritin/vitamin/mineral absorption are compromised and although this medication does its job in addressing our metabolic dysfunction it does inhibit the appetite enough to make it difficult to fuel our bodies with nutrition and therefore my ferritin/iron dropped significantly. Supplementing with iron and high iron foods to bring those numbers up and improve fatigue and anemia. It's worth the financial hardship however the reality is we must put more effort than most in maintaining balanced nutrition to avoid the pitfall of anemia as a side effect. I learned that the hard way, is it still worth it? My god, yes. But proceed with caution and ensure you are consuming enough iron rich foods! Good luck! Open to questions about my journey.