Can anyone help me figure out iron levels please?

[zephyrcat]

When I had my last lot of bloods, I was told that my iron was low and that if I didn't start to perk up and stop feeling tired then to have another test.

I then lost my notes and moved house so had a new midwife and we never really got around to discussing it as SPD is bothering me more.

I've now found my notes and my blood results but don't know which one relates to iron levels or where I can compare...

[marchbunny]

Now I am not a medical person, so anybody feel free to correct me if I am totally wrong but on my hospital notes I think it is either written as Haemoglobin or HB, if I am reading it correctly normal levels are between 12.0 - 15.0. Mine have been 11.9 and then 11.5, I have not been prescribed anything as don't think this is too low. Although, have bought myself some Spatone iron supplement. Hope this helps, sorry your SPD is bad - hope you don't have to much longer to go. x

[mears]

Would be better just to get another test done as it may well have changed significantly. It will be recorded on a clinic visit page under Hb.

[bananabump]

Hi zephyr, my notes say my iron levels are about 10.2 so the doc has put me on 2x400mg ferrous sulphate a day.

Do you have your hb amount anywhere on your notes? As marchbunny said, if it's anything less than about 12.0 I think you need an iron supplement.

[zephyrcat]

Thanks

Just had a look and mine reads:

Result 133
Units g/L
Flags 120-150

So that looks like I'm bang in the middle?

She said to me that it looks like the baby is sucking everything from me!

[growingbagpuss]

iIf u r worried- ask for another test - unless of course you really hate needles!
Mine was 10.4 - my M/W said there was some debate about when you put people on supplements - but she thought 10.5 was the cut off (which i thought was a bit low) -anyway, they're going to check mine again in a month just before babe due to check its not too low then.

Looks like your results were printed in a funny way - normally its much easier to read the levels than that!

[beckmo]

Are you sure thats your HB results you are reading?

My hospital lost track of my blood results taken at 22 weeks but a few phone calls and someone got back to me with an explanation.

[zephyrcat]

Definately Hb results. I'm assuming that they are written without the point so mine would be 13.3, with the range being 12.0 - 15.0.

She is taking more bloods when she comes back in a month or so - I really don't like needles so won't go unless I absolutely have to!!

[Mercy]

zephyrcat - as beckmo says, is that the right test result? It doesn't look quite right.

When I was expecting dd, my bil used to look at my results and said it shouldn't really be lower than 11.00

[Mercy]

sorry - x-posts.

[fairyjay]

In the dark ages when I had dc, my hb levels went to around 9.5 with ds, and I had to have bi-weekly iron injections, at the insistence of my gp.

At the Maternity Hospital they said that they wouldn't have given them at that level, so when they fell to around 9.5 with dd, I chose not to have them.

I was told at the time that the ideal level for a women was 12.

May well have changed though .

[bananabump]

What are the symptoms of iron-deficiency anaemia?

If a person is otherwise healthy, it can take some time for the signs of anaemia to appear.

• The first symptoms will be tiredness and palpitations (awareness of heartbeat).
  
  
• Shortness of breath and dizziness (fainting) are also common.
  
  
• If the anaemia is severe, you may experience angina (chest pain), headache or leg pains (intermittent claudication).
  
  Besides these general symptoms of anaemia, in pronounced and long-term cases of iron deficiency there will be:
  
  
• burning sensation in the tongue
  
  
• dryness in the mouth and throat
  
  
• sores at the corners of the mouth
  
  
• altered sense of touch
  
  
• brittle, spoon-shaped nails with vertical stripes and a tendency to fray
  
  
• pica (an insatiable craving for a specific food, eg liquorice)
  
  
• brittle hair
  
  
• difficulty swallowing
  
  In rare cases iron deficiency can cause permanent changes to the soft lining in the throat (Plummer-Vinson syndrome).
  
  ------
  
  Experiencing any of the above? If you are (as I was) then make sure you get your doctor to prescribe you something. I'm feeling better all the time and my chronic coldsores and palpitations are gone.

[zephyrcat]

I'm finding it hard to stay awake past lunchtime and have recently had a spell of dizziness but that seems to have passed.

I've got to go to the doctor for a referral for SPD so might mention it.

[bananabump]

zephyr, since taking the tablets I can stay awake during the afternoon (although I still rest) whereas I was feeling so weak and tired I was having to have a 3 to 4 hour sleep in the middle of the day. I bet you'll feel miles better after seeing your doctor.

[growingbagpuss]

Blimey bananbump - I'm impressed!

[Caz10]

bananbump I want your tablets!! Mine was 11 and she said they wouldn't prescribe for under 10. When I go back at 16 weeks I am going to beg for some or ask if it's ok to take Spatone as I am sleeping my life away! Getting through work as long as I sleep all evening and ALl weekend - I miss my life!!

[bananabump]

You poor things! I'm sure if you try over the counter iron supplements like spatone or floradix (from holland & barretts or boots) you will see an improvement. My consultant recommended taking the tablets I'm on with orange juice as vitamin c helps iron absorption.

Hoping you all feel better soon!