Long time vegan, thinking of implementing fish oil supplement

[Queenofwands1212]

the last couple months my body has been a constant science experiment. First started with Armour 2 months ago. I’m now on 30mg each morning. I then tried pill form estrogen and progesterone for 12 days prescribed by an OBGYN to trigger and onset my period. Still no period but I feel every single PMS symptom. The hormones made my body react in an extreme way. I gained about 8 lbs, my legs blew up, and it was mainly a lot of water retention with some fat storage which is normal since progesterone can make that happen. I had follow up with OBGYN, told her my symptoms and she said to stop taking the hormones and hopefully period will come. My joints hurt, my back hurts, my neck hurts, I feel weak and drained. It feels like a hashimotos flare up with pms combined. I am **thinking** about eating salmon again just because everyone tells me it might help. I’m hesitant because I’ve been vegan for so long and I have a lot of food intolerances. Do you think incorporating fish oil omega supplement will help bring my period on? I also have vitex and don quai supplements. I’m thinking that since my body reacts too extreme to the hormone pills, (peeing every 3 minutes, gained weight rapidly etc) that maybe doing the fish oil is a more gentle approach along w the vitex. Any advice would be appreciated. I’m feeling horrible and need a release. The weight gain and inflammation is debilitating

[SlowDragon Administrator]

When were B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

As a long time vegan you likely need daily B12, daily vitamin B complex and possibly iron supplements

Important to test vitamin levels before starting any supplements and regularly retest

As a vegan…….Have you tested iodine levels?

[PixieElv]

HelloYou can get vegan ‘fish oil’ capsules. The Omega 3 is in the algae the fish eat and not in the fish.

Same as B12 is not in the animals but in the soil the animals (used to) eat with their grass 😀

It’s more expensive but we vegans can stay vegan.

Happy Christmas

[Alanna012 in reply to PixieElv]

Who knew!

[Lizzo30]

Was it natural progesterone cream you were using ?

[Hedgeree]

Hi Queenof wands1212,

Yes as PixieElv says in her reply there are alternatives to fish oils, marine phytoplankton which is a microalgae, so you don't have to compromise your vegan diet.

It is available in soft gels or as a powder (what I use) although it can be expensive and it would be best to research first as there are many brands and they vary in quality and cost.

Also you could easily include more nuts and seeds in your diet such as hemp, linseeds, sunflower seeds etc it's all about balance (as you probably know!) Starflower oil (borage seed oil) is another one I used to take daily.

But again more research to find what would suit you best.

Best wishes ☺

[SecondAngel]

Look in to black seed oil as a vegan alternative healthline.com/nutrition/bl...

[Serendipitious]

Queenofwands1212,

Just going back to basics, are you eating enough food to get a period? How long have you had amenorrhea?

larabriden.com/are-you-eati...

Have you had FSH, LH and oestradiol tested? What has your GP said?

[buddy99]

I found it important to keep an eye on my vitamin D and B12 levels. I take algae oil to get enough omega 3. What also helped me with general body pain is NAC. It has a lot of benefits for people with Hashimoto's. healthline.com/nutrition/na... There are tons of research on the benefits of NAC. Vitamin D levels are also extremely important in connection with muscle and bone pain, I find.

[Geography1]

Hi, I was vegan for 3 years and it wrecked my body, metabolism and everything, it is not sustainable in the long term for some, give the fish oil a go, tho try cod liver oil from Alaska or Norway, from a reliable source, it might help, it is high in vitamin A, D and b12 amongst other necessary nutrients that a vegan diet cannot provide, eat salmon, do it slowly and see how you feel, and as for progesterone, it is best alone and not combined with estrogen, it is never a good idea to take estrogen, have you heard about Ray Peat? He talks a lot about the benefits of progesterone, one of the things he recommends is to eat a raw carrot salad w Coconut oil every day to rid the body of excess estrogen, Vegan diets don’t work for all, good luck, do let us know if you do try it, I have been researching which brand to take myself

[Poniesrfun]

IMO, you can't be both vegan and take Armour thyroid. Have you checked your thyroid levels, along with, as Slow Dragon suggested, B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D?

Patti in AZ

[TumericGold]

I’ve been vegan for 8 years, hypothyroid for 30 years… I use bottled hemp oil for my omega 3 everyday, usually in my breakfast smoothie. It’s easily available and no need to consume fish (haven’t seen Seaspiracy but know the environmental and emotional damage fishing does).

[susanmhall62]

I take Nordic Naturals Algae Omega which is vegan.

[MaryMary]

I use cold pressed linseed oil for omega 3, 6 and 9. Lovely on salad, in smoothies, soups etc. If you’re interested in my supplier, please pm me for the interesting website - the oil is posted at a chosen frequency.Mary Mary