DD18 slightly anaemic

[PeoniesAreMyFavouriteFlowers]

Does she need a prescription for iron or are there otc products we can buy that are effective?

It probably depends on how anaemic she is - if very, very low, they would probably offer an infusion. Otherwise over the counter tablets are a good idea, although you might need to try a couple to find one she gets on with. Be careful to take them at a time when she is not consuming other foods or drink that might inhibit absorption, e.g. tea and coffee etc.

Not sure if this screenshot means anything to anyone? ChatGPT says mildly anaemic.

she is tired all the time. Irregular periods. White as a sheet.

Feroglobin is pretty gentle in the stomach compared to other stuff. Recommend getting tested for coeliac disease with unexplained anaemia too.

What has your daughter's GP advised, why do they think she's anaemic?

https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iron-rich-foods-iron-deficiency.html

She’s had blood tests.

can’t get another GP appointment quickly. She leaves the country tomorrow.

My Ferritin is 6….. and that’s despite being on prescription iron supplements for over 6 years!

This is bizarre. My 15yr old is the same and I took her to the GP this morning. She apparently is not anemic but her iron levels are a little low and we were told to get iron tablets, so I expect you definitely could.

Is she going away for a holiday or longer? I wouldn't bother getting tablets before a holiday, she'll not feel the benefit immediately, and risks an upset stomach.

She can definitely buy over counter, the only problem is iron comes in many forms and strengths, and it's kind of a bit of trial and error. I had similiar levels and my doc prescribed 325mg of ferrous fumarate (just for an example), but I could buy this OTC. She could start with a stronger dose like this and hopefully it might not give her any side effects, or go the other way, start with the lower dose gentler options, but then will take longer to build up her levels.

Ideally you take on an empty stomach, or with something with Vit C to aid absorbtion (glass of OJ etc), but if it does upset her stomach, taking with some food helps, but there are things to avoid that block absorbtion, like dairy, tea. And taking every other day rather than daily helps too.

She is exhausted all the time. She’s really hoping an iron supplement will help her. And she vitamin D deficient too.

I went to get her supplements today from the chemist.