To call nhs direct?

[feelingawful01]

I have another thread outlining how unwell I've been feeling and was looking for advice. After following the advice my suspicions were confirmed yesterday with a blood test and that I have low levels of haemoglobin which means I'm lacking in iron- I'm 26 weeks pregnant.

I pushed for iron supplements at my blood test yesterday morning before I got the results based on my suspicions so have been taking them however I didn't find out the blood results until after 5pm last night.

The receptionist told me that yes, my levels were low but I have no further information on this and if the tablets are enough? I presume so based on the fact a doctor never called me but the fact it was closing time on a Friday with no further info available until Monday my mind is going into overdrive wondering how low and if I'm okay to wait until Monday for more info. The receptionist advised me to call after 2pm and by then a doctor will have reviewed my results and I'll be advised of anything else, if required.

So I'm wondering if I should phone nhs direct to see if I can get more info or phone my maternity outpatients dept or just wait until Monday?

Yeah, its normal to feel utterly awful with low hb. When you phone back on Monday, you could ask what your level is so you have a point of reference.
In my experience they often don't tell you the number unless you ask.
I asked the receptionist for my hb figure when I got test results back last week and she read it off the screen to me.

When you are pregnant your blood volume increases quite quickly. The red blood cells increase at a lesser rate compared to the plasma which means that when they are measured per millilitre of blood the number will have fallen. This is known as haemodilution quite a good explanation here . Taking iron tablets doesn't make much difference unless you have iron deficiency anaemia.

So it is very usual/ normal for haemoglobin levels to dip at your stage of pregnancy and by the end of the pregnancy there is usually an improvement as the body adjusts.

Sorry, not a very good explanation but want to reassure you that unless you are diagnosed with severe iron deficiency anaemia you are very normal.

Hope you feel better very soon.

The levels shouldn't be anything to worry about - if they were dangerously low then there would have been other symptoms such as high blood pressure and sky high heart rate to compensate and doctor would have sent you to a&e if he thought there was any chance a transfusion was required urgently! Otherwise just follow the advice on this thread. I get low blood pressure in pregnancy which causes very similar symptoms - lightheadedness and feeling faint and generally rubbish when on my feet but there is nothing to be done but wait for the blood volume to catch up with itself! The baby takes exactly what it needs and leaves you feeling rubbish!

'The levels shouldn't be anything to worry about - if they were dangerously low then there would have been other symptoms such as high blood pressure and sky high heart rate'

This is not necessarily true - I had low iron and hemoglobin and had to have a blood transfusion and iron infusion, but didn't have these symptoms

If your tests came back and were dangerously low you would have heard yesterday. The reception said they were low, which means someone looked at them. If it was critical they would have sent you straight to hospital - they did in my case

You need to take it easy, try and rest, eat properly and take the iron supplements.

I hope that you feel better soon

And just to warn you, they will turn your poo black.

Nice eh?

The joys of pregnancy

I had the iron tablets with my last pregnancy but didn't feel like this or even notice, they just told me I needed them.

Lots of great info from you all, you've put my mind at rest. Had a couple of hours sleep this afternoon, have just had dinner and feel marginally more human which is a bonus. My work has been really heavy going for the past while with a ridiculously early start and long commute so having a few days off should help me out.

It takes quite a lot longer than a couple of days to improve how you feel with low iron levels. Give it a couple of weeks.

Spatone is good, it helped me when I was pregnant. Didn't turn my poo black or make me constipated. You can get it in Boots.

Glad to hear it, feeling. Fingers crossed you continue to improve!