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Iron deficiency - shows in my nails

by Mel
(CA)

Hi Wray,

We've previously discussed DIM and some issues I'd had with more frequent bleeding when starting on progesterone cream. You advised that the bleeding was likely due to the progesterone, and upon upping the dose, I experienced relief, while still taking the max dose of DIM. Good call!

I have another question, not quite related to progesterone, but everything seems to be so integrated, I think you probably will have some advice on this one for me.

I am currently on a comprehensive program to address this breast lump I have. I do not believe in the traditional treatments for cancer, so have not gone through the motions to obtain a "diagnosis". If the lump is cancerous, I'll treat it naturally anyway, so am assuming it is, and making changes in my life that I need to make anyway. Have not been very successful in making these changes previously, but having the assumption that I have cancer and am fighting for my life allows me to stay motivated and not stray from my plan. If the lump is not cancerous, I'll still have improved my situation.

Anyway, I am on Iodoral, which is purported to help with breast issues and cancer, along with the recommended companion nutrients - Selenium, Vitamin C, Vitamin B2, Niacin, as well as Vitamin D3 (10,000 mg) and Vitamin K, and a few others. I am also on the Budwig Protocol, of cottage cheese and flax oil with ground flax seeds, as well as vegetable juicing and organic diet. I feel better in many ways, and believe I'm on the right track. It's been not quite 3 months that I've been on this program.

Prior to starting this program, I had been taking iron supplements due to spooning of my thumb nails. I had a history of very heavy menstrual bleeding, so wasn't surprised I'd be iron-deficient. The spooning improved. In researching my program, I came across many references to iron being bad for cancer, so switched from iron to lactoferrin. Haven't been on the lactoferrin very long, but am seeing a new spooning at the base of my thumb nail just in the last few days. Am concerned about going back on the iron, which could exacerbate cancer if I have it, but if the deficiency is bad enough to show in the nails, I feel I need to do something. Any input based on your experience and research over the years?

Thanks so much for your obvious dedication to helping others. You're truly amazing!


Mel

Comments for Iron deficiency - shows in my nails

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Jun 24, 2013
 Iron?
by: Liz UK

What has this question got to do with hormones?

I am sorry it's just personally, I feel bad asking Wray too many questions as she is inundated with so many people asking about Progesterone already and as her website is called "Progesterone Therapy" I at least try to stick to that particular subject matter when I do ask.

Perhaps if you researched on Google or ask a nutritionist their opinion on Iron and your spooned nails ?

Please respect Wray is extremely busy and gives her advise for free by not swaying off the topic of hormone related issues perhaps?
Jun 24, 2013
 iron
by: Anonymous

I read your post and was like wow how incredibly courageous you are then on the other hand or how incredibly reckless.
I fully support you wanting to heal yourself through holistic means, we do having amazing self healing abilities that are rarely used, but any help you can get in this respect by having the lump diagnosed mybe benifical in how you treat yourself. there are different types of cancers and they respond differently, if you knew the type you may or (may not have) it may change things in your diet you add or dont add.
My Aunty has just had her breast removed through cancer, it was a small lump and required no further treatment, just keep your options open and use all means availble to help you fully.
Take care.
Jun 26, 2013
 Iron deficiency - shows in my nails
by: Wray

Hi Mel Very pleased the bleeding issue stopped. Iodine and selenium are essential for the breasts, in fact a low level can cause cysts to form. We have more info on our page about Breast Cysts. Iron can increase the risk for cancer, see here, here and here. But the question to ask yourself is do you have high iron stores. If not then you need the iron, so maybe a test might be an idea. Spooning can also be caused by a B12 deficiency too, have you tried that? Normally breast cysts are quickly absorbed back into the body, if enough progesterone is used. I can't remember how much you've been using. If they're due to an iodine deficiency then the progesterone won't be much help. The protocol you're on is good, I admire Budwig and her method. But have you considered the ketogenic diet? Have a look at these papers here, here, here, here, here and here. The basis is starving the cancer cells of glucose, which they depend on. They cannot, like normal cells, use ketones for energy. Looking back over our distant past, I'm talking a million years or more, we did not eat grains, legumes or dairy. So our intake of starchy carbohydrates was low, we only ate leaves as they were freely available. With the odd tuber and fruit in season thrown in. And I believe meat and fish too. So the body is accustomed to burning ketones for energy. If interested this is the easiest version I've found here. Please have a vitamin D test done, there's too much evidence now to ignore it's role in cancer prevention. Thanks for the kind words! I find the work fascinating. Take care Wray
Jun 26, 2013
 Iron?
by: Wray

Hi Liz Thanks so much for your concern, but I have advised on many things besides progesterone, so Mel obviously thought iron might be one. I haven't had such a query before, but in this case she was anxious about cancer too. I have helped her in the past on progesterone issues. I'm only too aware, although hugely effective for so much, progesterone often needs help. So I do suggest the nutrients I've found effective for various disorders. In some cases I've gone so far as to say I feel the problem presented to me is not a progesterone deficiency, but vitamin D. Yes it does add to the workload, but I do learn from the research I have to do too. Over half the queries I get are from people who don't use our cream, I have considered not replying to them and asking them to go to the source they bought it from. That would certainly lessen to load! Take care Wray
Jul 12, 2013
 Thank you Wray, you're awesome as usual!
by: Mel

Wray,

I just remembered to check again for any responses to my question. I do so appreciate that you take the time to answer, and the thoughtfulness and research that goes into the replies. I knew from reading on your site that you were likely to have some input on this, as there seem to be so many topics that are interrelated. I wish there was some kind of definitive formula, get this vitamin level to this range, and that hormone to that range, and life will be wonderful. It all seems to be such a mystery, and yet you've got a better handle on it than most. I'll read through the papers you referenced with great interest.

Mel
Jul 12, 2013
 For Liz
by: Anonymous

Hi Liz,

I appreciate your concern for Wray, and the topic of her website, which is Progesterone Therapy. However, based on the overall information on her website, it is obvious that she is knowledgeable in many areas of female problems, some of which may be addressed by progesterone (as I have experienced in using progesterone, at Wray's recommended dosages), but others that are tied to a variety of different issues.

It seems to me that many of the problems that women suffer are interrelated - you can't fix just one thing, there are many fronts that must be addressed. Wray has proven to be well versed in so many areas, I believed that she may have had some experience with iron levels, which are commonly low in women experiencing heavy menses, a topic she does address on her website, along with cancer, both related to my question.

I believe Wray has the right to answer or not answer, and I very much appreciate her time and attention, truly devotion, to helping others.

Mel
Jul 12, 2013
 Thank you Wray, you're awesome as usual!
by: Wray

Hi Mel I couldn't agree with you more! I also wish their was a definitive formula. No sooner do we have something balanced, something else goes off the rails. The body is so hugely complicated, and everything reacts with everything else. I remember years ago before I found progesterone, but while in Peri-menopause, I would go to the gym and would fly through the circuit. The very next day I left after 10 mins totally exhausted, and very puzzled. I now know my progesterone had dropped severely, as a lack of that causes muscle weakness. Or it could be my oestrogen had shot up and messed the system. I had the same muscle weakness after giving birth, how I wished I'd known about progesterone then! Thanks for the kind words. Take care Wray

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