Bloods

[Neon]

Hi,
I'm 28+1 and I'm getting really low levels for my bloods and they seem to be getting lower.

8wks - 10.6 | 11wks - 10.4

Have now had a letter from the docs to go in for an appointment due to recent blood tests.

I'm on 200mg Ferrous Sulphate tabs 2 x day. I went for my Anti-D injection today, had more bloods taken and midwife was really vague about 'seeing a consultant' if it carries on.

TBH I don't want to research online - but would appreciate links/advice on possible reasons why this is happening and what treatments are administered - if any?

Grateful in advance!

[GinaFordAteMyBaby]

There's some interesting stuff here

I tend to have low iron levels. I don't worry about it too much and sporadically take spatone in some fruitjuice. It's supposed to be easily absorbed (helped even more so by the vitamin c), is a natural source and supposed to avoid things like constipation that you might get with tablets.

[MustHaveaVeryShortMemory]

So what are your iron levels now? And how long have you been taking the iron supplement?

There are other types of iron available from your Dr eg ferrous fumarate and ferrous gluconate. Perhaps your GP will try one of these and see if they are better absorbed.

There are things that can interfere with the absorption of your iron (see the patient info leaflet that comes with it). These include antacids, milk, tea, fizzy drinks.

[pretoria]

Your iron levels often go down a bit in pregnancy, as the baby is needing iron too, so will take it from you! Also you get a bit of dilution, as you have a greater blood volume in pregnancy.

The important thing is making sure you don't end up too anaemic. Iron supplements can often take about 3 months to get the maximum effect, although there should be some improvement before then. As GinaFord says - take them with orange juice, as the vitamin C helps absorption.

10.4 counts as anaemic, but is not worryingly so if you are well otherwise. Your midwife will just want to be sure it's stabilising, but will want a doctor to check if that isn't the case.

[Neon]

MustHaveaVeryShortMemory - Most recent (last Mon) levels are 10.5 and I have been taking iron since week 15ish.

GinaFordAteMyBaby - thanks for the spatone tip. I will try to get hold of some of this - I'd never heard of it!

I've tried to read lots about this now. Because I'm getting lots of swelling in hands and feet - I'm particularly shattered the last couple of weeks and pain in right rib I was thinking it might be pre-eclampsia - but protein levels are fine.

I have the docs later so I assume he will up my dose.

[Slickbird]

I had to watch my iron levels with all three of mine (and actually, just anyway I am prone to low levels) and also I seem to have low platlet levels during pgy so I watched mine with great interest too. You are doing the right thing by taking the iron tabs and like Pretoria said, it's cos the bubba takes more from you but also because your blood increases by about 40-50% and literally, everything is spread thinner. You can top up your iron levels by taking in lots of brazil nuts, dried apricots and things like that. The apricots will also help counter any constipation you might get with the iron tabs although I have to say, that was never a side effect with me.

Hope you feel better soon.