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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel unable to face anything with very low iron?

51 replies

oinkyoink · 16/01/2015 16:02

I've recently been diagnosed as anaemic and vitamin D was extremely low too. It took four trips to the gp to finally get a doctor to say I needed a blood test. So two months of feeling low and tired. Now I know what is wrong, I have the iron tablets to take for three months. I've been feeling exhausted for two months now and three days into the iron tablets, I'm feeling no different.
I have two children and I work outside the home. It's all proving so hard for me. I took time off before Xmas and again last week with feeling shaky, weak and low (before blood results were returned). My boss called me into his office yesterday in a kind of what is going on here kind of manner. I was fuming as I'm genuinely ill.
Does anyone know what else I could do to feel stronger? Are iron transfusions any good? I need to function but just feel like shutting myself away for a week....

OP posts:
Karma1981 · 16/01/2015 21:11

I was severely anaemic and had to have a total iron transfusion.
I had no energy, a tongue like burnt bacon and a permanent heart rate of 140.

I almost had to have a blood transfusion as I was 32 weeks pregnant and went into pre term labour (luckily they manage to stop it).
A blood transfusion will up your iron straight away (although will only be given if it's really needed.)
The total iron transfusion lasted nearly 7 hours as had to have it in slowly for the first few hours due to Itching.
And it took about 3 weeks for my iron levels to be classed normal.
So it will take a few weeks for the iron tablets to work fully.
Also make sure you have both your hb and ferritin levels checked.
Hope they work soon and you feel better.

Nancy66 · 16/01/2015 21:14

what is your iron level?

itchybumagain · 17/01/2015 00:07

My level was 7 so quite low, took about 10 days to feel better. Give it time and just take it easy.

CatCushion · 17/01/2015 00:17

OP, have you had your thyroid function tested too? Auto immune diseases such as hashimotos can be a cause of anaemia and vitamin D deficiency.

musicalendorphins2 · 17/01/2015 03:16

Didn't your doctor tell you it would take 10-14 days to feel better? it sounds like he isn't very good gp, most would check blood levels first time you went in.

It is a very common condition, especially in women, and for the doctor not to pick up on such a simple thing right away would have me changing doctors.
Oh, and of the dr didn't tell you, don't take the pills on an empty stomach, best to take(aka sandwich) them halfway through a meal. Also, if you take a vitamin c pill with it, it helps your body absorb it.

LittleBlueHermit · 17/01/2015 04:28

If the tablets work, it will take a few weeks for you to start feeling better. It can be a long, slow process. Even the more extreme measures like injections and transfusions aren't a quick fix.

Do you know what's causing the low iron levels? Iron tablets aren't a permanent solution. If it's dietary, you need to look at increasing both iron intake and absorption.

I used to be severely anaemic. As it turns out, I don't absorb iron very well. I'm very sensitive to things which can inhibit iron absorption like gluten and dairy. I basically need to eat lots of steak and salad for dinner, and vitamin c rich fruits for dessert. I actually had to have iron injections because my iron levels continued to drop after starting on iron tablets- I just wasn't absorbing it (don't worry- its incredibly rare for this to happen! )

Are you taking vitamin D supplements as well?

perthmom · 17/01/2015 05:38

I had an iron infusion in April last year due to severely low iron levels, thanks to heavy periods. I had been on iron tablet up 'til then but they were not helping me. I couldn't stand up for long without feeling dizzy and faint and felt as though I was living in a permanent state of exhaustion and light headedness. I would wash the dishes and have to lay down and recover!

Since the infusion, I feel my life has changed so much for the better! I was told it would take up to 2 months for the full effects to be felt, however I started to slowly feel better after a week. I had to really push my GP for the infusion, but I'm so glad I did. I really recommend it.

Mummageddon · 17/01/2015 08:00

It takes time for iron stores to replenish. When I was anaemic I was prescribed 3 iron tablets a day for 3 months and it took at !east a month to feel better. I felt amazing, it was a really dramatic change.

Others have mentioned to avoid tea/coffee when you take iron tablets, this includes decaf versions as its the tannins in the drink that affect absorption. Cut out the tea and have your iron with a glass of orange juice instead.

ChickenMe · 17/01/2015 11:08

Hi
I am anaemic too and I know how the exhaustion feels so my sympathies to you.
I'd say I started to feel better after about two months of tablets because that's when I started going back to the gym and the cravings for rubber and wood stopped. I'm pregnant now and the restless feet are back though Confused
What has caused your anaemia, did they say? For me it was fibroids causing heavy periods.
Regarding food-restricting gluten sounds a good idea as gluten is believed to inhibit nutrient absorption.
Re: vitamin D if dairy is a problem then what about cod liver oil?
Did you get your thyroid function checked?

Original poster
oinkyoink · 17/01/2015 14:37

Ok that's tea off the list then! I've never been more determined to put something right so anything that helps will be done. Thank you for your time and replying with tips.
I haven't asked the doctor about the reason for the anaemia but I will.
I have to go back in 3 months after the course of tablets for another blood test.
My level was 7.
Thyroid function was tested and was apparently normal.
I've also purchased a 3000ui strength vitamin D spray. Onwards and upwards!!! Wink

OP posts:
NormHonal · 17/01/2015 14:41

Were you prescribed Vitamin D supplements too?

Because I tested low for both iron and vitamin D like you. The iron (it takes a while to kick in) helped a little - I would also advise using Spatone BTW. But it was the Vitamin D that made me feel like "me" again, ready to take on the world. And the benefits kicked in within the first week.

Give the iron a chance, but if the GP hasn't already given you vitamin D, please do ask for it. I'm not sure that the spray you have is going to be enough.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 17/01/2015 14:44

Please don't waste money on Spatone if you are anaemic. The amount of iron in it vs iron tablets is tiny.

Dairy can also inhibit iron absorption so avoid when taking the tablets.

You have my sympathy op, anaemia makes you feel awful. Are you able to take a few days off work to rest? The tablets take a while to work and you have to keep taking them to build up your stores again.

Agree with all the stuff about vit d and vit c already posted.

Hope you feel better soon.

PlummyBrummy · 17/01/2015 14:45

I second Floradix though I've also benefitted from Spatone in the past. Floradix has a mix of different vitamins on top of the iron. I'm also taking a very high grade fish oil called Eskimo3 to help up my vitD and omega3 levels. Every little helps!

AuntieMaggie · 17/01/2015 14:48

7 is really low - mine was 6 then 7 after 2 transfusions - so being that low it will take a while to come up and feel better. Just look after yourself and follow the tips above and hopefully you'll start to feel better soon.

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 17/01/2015 14:49

I've just done some rough working out. The op would need to take about 14 sachets of Spatone to get as much iron as one iron tablet Shock

GreenPetal94 · 17/01/2015 14:49

I'd stick with the iron tablets and also have orange juice for vitamin c. But if you feel awful why not take a week or two off work if your doctor is happy to sign you off. It is ok to take a break and some me time would be good.

Original poster
oinkyoink · 17/01/2015 14:56

I took the week before last week off. I was just so shaky and weak. It was awful, I thought I had a neurological problem before the low iron and but d were reported. Before Xmas I also had a week off so I guess my boss thought I was taking the p*^%. I'm feeling so unwell that I actually flew off the handle and told him a thing or two... Blush
I didn't get vit D from the dr she just told me to buy over the counter 1000ui strength tablets but no way, I've bought 3000ui especially in winter...
Avoiding tea and dairy will be difficult but it's worth it.
I never knew how important vitamins and minerals were to us until now!!!

OP posts:
ToBeeOrNot · 17/01/2015 14:56

Is 7 your haemoglobin level or a ferritin level?

I would expect more than just iron tablets if your haemoglobin is really 7 and for your doctor to be taking it a lot more seriously.

Sorry to report that ferrous sulphate did absolutely nothing for my iron levels though.

vitamink · 17/01/2015 15:02

Firstly, make sure you take Vitamin D with the biggest meal of the day as that is how it is best absorbed. It is also better absorbed along with fats but most vitamin D capsules come in either olive oil or lanolin so you should be ok. What dosage are you taking?

With regards to the iron, it takes time to build up. It might be worth taking Bioperine with it as it increases absorption of most vitamins and minerals quite dramatically. I would also recommend magnesium as most people are both magnesium and vitamin D deficient and magnesium deficiency can cause things like anxiety, palpitations, insomnia etc, it really is one of the more essential minerals. The best absorbed form is mag-glycinate but different types of magnesium help with different ailments. Magnesium oxide is apparently badly absorbed so don't use it.

vitamink · 17/01/2015 15:03

Also, did they check your thyroid?

MovingOnUpMovingOnOut · 17/01/2015 15:05

I found ferrous fumerate (sp??) more effective than sulphate. And no constipation!

CleanLinesSharpEdges · 17/01/2015 15:09

Spatone won't even touch your iron levels when you're anaemic.

Stick with the tablets, reduce dairy and gluten, up the red meat and green veg intake (I used to crave liver and onions when I was anaemic) and give it at least 4 weeks, you should start to feel a bit better after that.

IAlreadyToldSanta · 17/01/2015 15:11

I haven't read the full thread oink do apologises if someone's already mentioned this, bit decaf tea will still prevent your body from absorbing iron! It's not the caffeine, it's the tanin (sp?) In tea that does it. There are other food and drink that will inhibit iron absorption too. As others have said, vit c aids the absorption, I drink ribena with mine.

I would really recommend the spatone sachets, they seem to bring my iron levels up far quicker tham the tablets. They're available in boots, quite expensive but usually on 3 for 2. Also I know eating iron rich food won't hurt but I've found that eating iron rich food (and I eat lots of it) hasn't made a blind bit of difference to my iron levels.

IAlreadyToldSanta · 17/01/2015 15:12

X post CleanLines, ooh that's funny, I found the spatone worked really well.

EBearhug · 17/01/2015 15:12

You say you were fuming at your boss when he called you in - but have you told him you're undergoing tests at the doctor? IME, managers can be very supportive in cases of ill-heath, but they're not psychic, and if all they see from the outside is you being tired and underperforming, it's not unreasonable for them to ask if something is amiss. (Of course, some managers are just gits, but I assume they're fine until evidence otherwise.)

Ferrous sulphate tablets have always been enough for me, but I don't drink tea or have much dairy, which probably helps. Hope you start feeling more energetic soon.