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General health

What does it feel like to have low iron levels?

9 replies

LeChien · 20/10/2015 12:06

If I write down these symptoms, could someone let me know if they tie in with low iron levels?

I'm overweight, but have always been relatively fit, but more recently I have very little energy.
When I do simple things like take washing upstairs, it feels like I'm doing a workout - burning muscles, raised heart rate, breathlessness - I have asthma, and I am a bit more wheezy at the moment, but this settles down as long as I sit down and do nothing.
Even reaching up to put glasses away in a cupboard, my arms have that lifting weights burn feeling.

Do these sound familiar?

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VocationalGoat · 20/10/2015 12:11

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murphys · 20/10/2015 12:18

Like Vocational, I also have low blood pressure and that is how I feel when my bp is low.

I don't usually suffer with low iron (afaik) but I do take a vitamin each day which has vitamin B in it).

Some days I cannot even dry my hair with the hairdryer as it feels like I cannot hold my arms up at that height any longer.

I have been told to carry around a sachet of salt and when I feel faint or quite bad if I am out and about, to eat the salt.

I think you should just get it checked out though.

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ChipInTheSugar · 20/10/2015 12:20

Ask for your ferratin (stored iron) levels to be checked too.

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LeChien · 20/10/2015 12:23

Thank you.
I had a blood test a couple of weeks ago that showed up low levels, I'm having a second one as a comparison later this week, when they're also checking for coeliac (although I don't have any tummy troubles).

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Oldmum55 · 20/10/2015 12:25

Yes I felt like that when I was pregnant as foolishly didn't want to take my iron tablets. If you also have low blood pressure than it's not surprising you feel like you do. Luckily in my case I never had low BP as well.

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clearsommespace · 20/10/2015 12:25

Personally I didn't feel like what you describe. I felt weary and sleepy but didn't feel like everyday actions were a work out.
But it doesn't sound normal so yes, get it checked.

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LeChien · 20/10/2015 12:42

I've never had low blood pressure before, but it hasn't been checked recently.
Being overweight, I always assumed I would have high blood pressure.
I'll ask the nurse to check it when I go.

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/10/2015 17:51

I'm reasonably slim and have had problems with iron deficiency anaemia and low blood pressure. It feels as you and others have described - stairs are an absolute killer, and I often feel as if I've been running a marathon when all I've done is walked for a little while. I also have been told to carry salt around.

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Wobblyheart · 05/05/2023 08:14

@LeChien i know this is very old post but wondered how are you doing now? I have similar symptoms and just hoping to find the cause

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