Going in for a Consult with the RE about UAE

I'm going in to see the RE (reproductive endocrinologist) next Friday. He's one of the doctors I interviewed for my myomectomy (the one I cancelled last month). I needed to continue working getting more information, particularly about my hormones, and he was the only one that suggested that I have my progesterone level checked prior to surgery. I just did the pooled progesterone test this past cycle, 3 blood draws on days 5-9 post ovulation. I'll get the results at this appointment. (I'm kind of hoping they say that my levels are low, just so that there would really be something wrong with me -- do you ever feel that way too?)

I'm feeling a little nervous about going in and telling him that I want to have the embolization procedure instead. I'm afraid of having to get into a disagreement with him, where he doesn't believe in UAE for women trying to conceive. Well, if I don't like his reaction then I just will have to work with a different doctor.

One thing I've been thinking about is that for years I had low level anemia and none of my doctors made a big deal about it. I didn't like to take pills/vitamins and besides my doctors said that some women just tend to run anemic. My naturopath that I started seeing right after I was diagnosed with my fibroid last year thought that this anemia needed correction and I think she was right. I was so used to having low energy that I didn't even realize the affects, or even that I could feel differently. I think probably a lot of us had heavier periods our whole lives and didn't understand the affects of that on our health.

I still have low ferritin, at least as of September. I basically have to just take iron supplements ongoing. Luckily I've found a chewable type that is agreeable with my system. Related to the fertilty issue that many of us are dealing with, I found this mention yesterday and thought it interesting (link to full article is below), especially in light of the fact that many of us our anemic here.

"Be sure your iron levels are adequate. A blood test (a ferritin level combined with an iron level and iron binding capacity) will tell you this. Unfortunately, doctors are trained to say the iron is normal if your ferritin level is at least 9 ng/ml. Although a ferritin level of 9 shows you have enough iron to prevent anemia, one can have infertility from ferritin levels less than 40. Because of this, I would look at your ferritin test results yourself and make sure the level is at least 40 ng per ml. In a study of women with infertility with ferritin levels less than 40, half of the women quickly became pregnant when put on iron. If for some reason you are unable to get your ferritin level checked, it is not unreasonable to take iron (e.g. Ferrous Sequels 1 tablet 1-2 times a day for four months). I also would take iron if the percent saturation of iron (calculated from the iron & percent saturation tests noted above) is
under 22%."
From: Effective Holistic Treatment for Infertility