Ella

So I'm seeing my doctor today as a result of the blood tests I had last week re: hypertension, and she tells me I'm anaemic. Having an iron deficiency is something I never considered I could have, although it explains my lack of energy of late (I put it down to being a sole parent with two young kids who works full time).

I eat red meat maybe once a week, but tend to eat more chicken than red meat. So I bought a organic liquid iron supplement from the health food store, as the liquid is absorbed into your body quicker than iron tablets. I'm hoping to see some results in a couple of weeks in terms of increased energy and a positive effect on my high blood pressure (still have to take tablets for that!).

Anyone else had problems with lack of iron?

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"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

Nancy

Not yet (luckily) but every woman should take iron supplements because we lose a lot of iron during the menstruation...

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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

ShaniFaye

Nancy, I respectively disagree...every woman should be checked for their Iron...if you're like me you, supplimenting your iron can be a bad thing. (not trying to hijack the thread here...)

My entire life I have had problems when ingesting anything, be it vitamins or food, containing iron. It has finally been diagonesed that I have Hemochromatosis (iron overload), which can have some of the same symptoms as anemia. (My mother has it, my sister has it, and my daughter has it as well) Its VERY important to find out which is your problem. Since mine has been diagnosed and I have watched my iron intake, one of the BIGGEST changes that affected me greatly was changing my multi-vitamin to one that didnt include iron. Now not only do I not feel tired ALL the time and ready to go to bed at 3pm in the afternoon, my stomach problems have all but disappeared. People with more severe cases than I are told to have phlebotomies (blood letting) to aleviate symptoms. Menstruation for me is a good thing hehehehe because I do lose a LOT of the iron then.

Doctors are not that great at diagnosing it...they actually told my sister she had anemia and during her current pregnancy perscribed her more than the usual iron supplements, which made her sick as a dog.

PLEASE if you go to your doctor to get checked out make SURE they diagnose you the correct way.

This website can give you more information

http://www.ironoverload.org

(Sorry to kinda hijack the thread, I just dont want any of you girls going the wrong way with your iron and getting as sick as I have been known to in the past.)

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

lurkette

The last few times I've tried to give blood they sent me home because I'm anemic. I've started taking iron supplements, but ShaniFaye is absolutely right - you really should get your levels tested before you take supplements. Excess iron can have some pretty negative side effects, so it's not something to muck about with.

If you want to avoid supplements and replenish your iron naturally, first it'll take a few months (it might take longer than the few weeks you're hoping for even with a liquid supplement, depending on how anemic you are and how long you've been anemic). Second, eating foods like spinach, raisins, and nuts will help your body absorb the iron you get from meats.

Also, I discovered that my restless leg syndrome and my ice-chomping addiction are both symptoms of iron deficiency anemia. Who knew!?!

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"If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing."

- Anatole France

Nancy

But... a doctor told me that it would be a good idea...

well then I'll get myself tested before taking the suppliment!

__________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

ShaniFaye

which is why I "respectively" disagreed....for years my doctor told me to do this and when I did I would get sick and he would tell me I was nuts. Unfortunately there are a LOT of doctors out there that never consider a person can have TOO much iron...When you go in complaining of being tired all the time the first thing they assume is that you're anemic...just remember thats ALSO a symptom of iron overload as well.

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

ShaniFaye

As a comparison

Symptoms of Anemia
Fatigue
Weakness
Fainting
Breathlessness
Heart palpitations (rapid or irregular beating)
Dizziness
Headache
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Difficulty sleeping
Abnormal menstruation

Symptoms of Hemochromotosis
Chronic Fatigue
Weakness
Irritability
Depression
joint pain
loss of body hair
impotence in men
menstrual irregularity
abdominal pain

as you can see....fatigue, weakness, and abnormal menstruation are signs of BOTH problems

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I want the diabetic plan that comes with rollover carbs. I dont like the unused one expiring at midnite!!

thubpt

Just a quick note - if you are anemic, and do have to take iron supplements, drink orange juice, or something of the like loaded with vitamin c with it - it helps your body absorb the iron.

I was severely anemic throughout both of my pregnancies, and I sympathize - that whole standing up and then falling over thing kind of sucks.

Hugs

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The knack of flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.

--Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

maleficent

The sound of ice chewing, to my ears is the equivelent of fingernails being run down a blackboard -- over and over and over again. I guess since it's a medical condition I have to start being more tolerant... Well ptoooey.

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lady

take the iron suppliments with vitamin c (oj, etc)

don't take it with anything caffeinated - caffeine hinders iron absorption

if you're taking iron in liquid form, drink it with a straw as it can stain your teeth

also, make sure you're taking in lots of non-caffeinated fluids and you might want to increase your fiber/roughage intake until you get used to the iron. iron suppliments can be constipating

also try to get as much iron through your diet - red meat, liver, beans, legumes, raisins, spinach, etc. cook your meals in cast-iron pans, iron from the pan gets absorbed in the food.

hope you're feeling better soon

__________________
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.

raeanna74

I have had my Dr prescribe Iron suppliments for me 3 times in my life. I consistently tend to be iron deficient anemic. There is no real clue as to why since I have regular average periods with no heavy flow. I eat plenty of red meat and legumes. I found just last year that I felt so exhausted I could hardly walk sometimes. I was suffering from cluster headaches and migranes on a consistant basis. My Dr tested for my thyroid and lymes disease as I had been bitten my a tick (wood tick I believed at the time) and I had gotten a round rash elseware on my body shortly afterwards. She also tested for anemia and she herself examined my red blood cells. She described the cells as smaller than normal. Apparently red blood cells are the only ones that carry iron. They must carry iron to be able to carry oxygen as well. When they are carrying neither they appear smaller than iron/oxygen carrying red blood cells. The lack of oxygen accounts for the fatigue and in my case for the migranes and headaches. I tend to have LOW blood pressure (down to 30/60 at one point in the hospital) and the two conditions combined to make me feel physically worse.

I take iron suppliments most of the time. I find when I slack off and quit taking them that I begin to get migrane and cluster headaches again. I have NEVER had too much iron even when taking a high dose of 300 mg daily daily for a month.

You should keep in touch with your Dr since women who do not menstrate tend to build up too much iron in their system easily. I've also heard that you should not take it with calcium because they bind together (I can substantiate this if you need.) I also had one Dr prescribe Kelp/Iodine suppliments to help my body absorb the Iron as that seems to be part of the problem. Be wary of this though if you have any allergies to fish - check with your Dr.

One reason that I like to donate blood is that they check this and it keeps me aware of where my iron levels are.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Ella

Funny that....last time I gave blood in December, they told me my hemoglobin (sp) was low, and also hassled me about my blood pressure. Both I ignored until they caught up with me in a big way and I can't ignore them anymore.

There has been some great input in this thread, and it is much appreciated!

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

little_tippler

I have a tendency to be anemic because I have colitis and sometimes loose blood...

Nowadays, 7 years after having been diagnosed with colitis, I never know whether I'm well or not, but I do feel constantly tired.

Since colitis is for life, I probably will never be free of it's symptoms.

I try to lead a healthy life mainly, as i've tried everything to make the symptoms recede. I came to the conclusion that moderation is the key, never have too much or too little of anything. I also exercise regularly which gives me more energy to get through the day.

The fact is there are so many names for little ailments that we might, have, allergies to everything you can imagine, intolerances of this or that, that you're better off just getting on with your life and being true to your body.

__________________
Whether we write or speak or do but look
We are ever unapparent. What we are
Cannot be transfused into word or book.
Our soul from us is infinitely far.
However much we give our thoughts the will
To be our soul and gesture it abroad,
Our hearts are incommunicable still.
In what we show ourselves we are ignored.
The abyss from soul to soul cannot be bridged
By any skill of thought or trick of seeming.
Unto our very selves we are abridged
When we would utter to our thought our being.
We are our dreams of ourselves, souls by gleams,
And each to each other dreams of others' dreams.

Fernando Pessoa, 1918

la petite moi

I have a question to post to all: Do you think I could be anaemic if I have been getting my period very often (probably three to six times a months for two to three days at a time) for the last three months?

Ella

I have no idea, but it would be something I would be seeking professional advice about.

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

lady

La petite moi - you should look into that regardless.

__________________
Our doubts are traitors,
And make us lose the good we oft might win
By fearing to attempt.

la petite moi

Yeah, I know that it's a normal thing because I'm on the Depo shot.

combatmedicjen

Ooh, ugh... I was on that for a few years. I bled about the amount you describe, and ended up quite anemic.

Some pharmacies sell over-the-counter slow release iron tablets. These give you a good amount of iron without making you vomit... but go to your doctor first to have some simple bloodwork done.

Ella

OK...so the blood bank came to our work last week for their three monthly visit and I thought I'd see if they would take my blood (hoping like hell I was over my anemia). They did the haemoglobin pin prick test and I was 108. Normal iron levels for a woman are 118-165. So they didn't take my blood.

I was pissed off....I'd been on a liquid iron supplement and now a daily iron supplement along with my other daily vitamins for about 5 weeks now. And my iron level was the same as it was the day the doctor told me I was anemic 5 weeks ago! How long does it take to get 'normal' again???

__________________
"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."

Pip

I used to be a blood donor, started out at a smashing 137 but after about five times my haemoglobin was down to like 112. And the leeches at the blood bank didn't say a thing about it! So I quit, and felt much better for it.
What lady said about food is good advice, I firmly believe vitamins and minerals should come from food, not pills.
Also, a friend of mine with similar problems (fatigue, crankiness, stressed out) was adviced by her doctor to take a 30-minute walk every day, because the walking would crush the red bloodcells under her feet, thus stimulating the body to make more... sounds weird, but I guess some time to yourself and a bit of exercise can't hurt.

raeanna74

The anemia can be caused by a number of things. Did they tell you what the cause was? Did you have a period recently? That will affect my hemoglobin. I personally just don't absorb/process the iron very well. Taking iodine suppliments with the iron and NOT taking calcium with them can improve the amount of iron that you absorb. My Dr prescribed iodine in the form of Kelp suppliments to help my body absorb the iron better. If you take calcium or drink milk with the iron it binds with the iron and you simply end up flushing both out of your body.

Ask you Dr what kind of anemia you have? Did he/she personally inspect the cells? My cells were smaller simply because they were not carrying iron with them and when they aren't carrying iron they can't carry oxygen either which combined makes the empty cells much smaller. Mine is iron deficient anemia. There's also another kind of anemia which results from blood loss and you simply have a smaller NUMBER of red blood cells in general. Then there's sickle cell anemia which is a genetic disease resulting in deformed blood cells. The deformed cells die quicker and also tend to cause blockages in the blood vessels. This particular condition is treated totally differently from the other kinds of anemia is chronic.

Anemia can be also caused by certain infections and medications. Be sure you get all the information you can from your Dr since it's impossible for us here to truely know the cause of your condition. The time can vary for your hemoglobin to be up to within the normal range depending on what the cause is for your current state.

My Dr told me to check back with her in 2 weeks after starting my suppliments because I should notice SOME improvement by that time. Your Dr should have scheduled a followup apt to check on your progress. If not you should take the initiative and make one for yourself. I know you feel terrible sometimes while you are anemic. It make me so tired, weak, and consequently depressed and cranky that I was no fun to be around and constantly miserable. Good Luck getting this cleared up soon.

__________________
"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Ella

Thanks Raeanna....I really had no idea there were differnent kinds of anemia so I may call my doctor back and ask her for more details. I guess I expected my iron levels to improve after a while, and would kinda like to know when I can expect to be better. But I seem to have more energy since taking the iron supplements.

Pip....I walk around 45 mins every morning (well, most mornings!) and have for the quite a few years. Guess I just need a couple more steaks a week, hey?

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"Afterwards, the universe will explode for your pleasure."