Iron levels

[littlemissmonday]

To ask if anyone can help me with understanding my iron levels. I've had chronic anemia, over ten years.

I've had a few bouts of taking iron tablets, iron injections but nothing seems to raise it and so it's always sat at at around 8. I've always managed and it hasn't bothered me too much until now. Over the last month I've been feeling exhausted, rather than just day to day tired. I've also been experiencing really bad heart palpitations for the last year. My blood results are back and are now down to 6.

Should I be concerned, worried? Ive starting back on the iron tablets. I'm just really unsure of what it means to have dropped to 6.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Do you know why you are so anaemic?
Also have you considered liquid iron? It's much more palatable and very effective. I have taken spatone and floradix in the past with good results.

What does your GP say? I think you might get more help on the health boards on here. I know that some people struggle to absorb iron and need regular blood transfusions whilst others (like me) have heavy periods and so need to sort that as well as take iron tablets.

Hope you get it sorted.

Make sure you avoid calcium whilst taking the pills and take with vitamin c. I
However there must be a reason why you are so anaemic. I think that needs looking at

I mean have calcium but not with the tablet as it hinders absorption.

I had iron infusions on IV and they were magic!

It has been suggested over the years that my diet is the issue, I'm veggie, but I do eat spinach/kale/corn flakes purposely for iron.

What types of causes could there be for anemia?

I have IBS and a wheat intolerance. Other than that, I'm healthy and exercise regularly. Don't over eat/drink or smoke.

Have you been tested for coeliac disease (assuming you don't already know the cause)?
I've always been anaemic, and asked for a coeliac test purely because my sister was diagnosed with it and there's a strong family link. Stupid thing came back positive. Anyway, people with coeliac have a hard time absorbing vitamins and minerals from food, so even the supplements weren't being absorbed properly. Explains why nothing seemed to really raise the levels for me.

I also don't have out of the norm (for me) heavy periods, they tend to be quiet heavier the first few days then die down. Do tend to have a few clots but have previously mentioned it to GP who wasn't concerned.

I'm waiting back for the celiac tests, they were done when I got my bloods taken last week.

If they haven't found a specific cause for your amemia then you really should be revered on, I think probably to haemotology. Id suggest making an appointment with the gp to discuss the initial management of such a low haemoglobin and also how to manage it further. That low a haemoglobin really should be considered for a transfusion so you really need to speak to someone about this and make sure theyre taking it seriously.

Heme iron (the kind in meat) is much more absorbable by the body than plant iron I'm afraid. Could you consider having a locally reared ethical lamb steak or liver once a week, cooked rare?

Other things to consider... vitamin C with food to help absorb it. Also, do not drink tea or coffee (think that includes herbal tea too) within a couple of hours either side of meal times as they contain tannins and anti-nutrients which block iron absorption. I understand there's a missing link between vitamin A intake and anaemia, so make sure you're getting enough vit A/retinol (usual caveats about TTC). Also, anaemia can be caused by other deficiencies like B12, so make sure you're supplementing with that being veggie.

I think you need to improve the quantity of non haeme iron so yes spinach but also lentils, beans, dates. Always makes sure to have vit c to help absorb into the body. I have coeliac disease and my iron levels always sit low. In the end I’ve have to switch to decaff as caffeine really eats away at iron in the body. It made enough of a difference.

A transfusion, as in a blood transfusion?

Other than the things I've mentioned I generally feel fine.

I thought something as bad as requiring a blood transfusion you need to be in a pretty bad way am I being naive about this iron level? I've always just brushed it off as nothing to be concerned about because it hasn't bothered me

Potentially a blood transfusion. This isn't something I know much about, particularly in adults, but a haemoglobin that low could be serious and definitely need investigations. Make sure your gp is aware that you are symptomatic (breathlessness, head palpitations) and that they have a clear plan to treat this episode and look into that cause of why it's happening.

Thanks everyone.

I will speak to my GP again tomorrow. I'm not sure if it means anything, but as well as my iron levels being low there were 4 other abnormal levels in the full blood count results.

My white blood cell count was 3.3.

I'm not sure if the others but I do feel slightly concerned 😧

I would treat you for absorption issues rather than lack of iron.

A lot of vegetables and legumes cause issues with people who have already have a compromised digestive tract. I would start by eliminating legumes and sourcing your protein elsewhere.

My only issues is that I have restricted diet due to several food allergies and things like lentils I have to eat a lot of for protein. I think I'm going to have to eat meat for a period of time, which is fine.

I have a similar issue, was anaemic in pregnancy but then it went, back now with levels of around 6. Also B12 deficient so have injections for that. Have just had a course of tablets and am due a repeat test next week so will see. Am a little concerned but trying not to think about it.

I have had severe anemia in the past. My GP told me the threshold for a blood transfusion is usually 7. My record low was 2.8! My GP couldn’t believe I was still walking around functioning. Like you I am veggie and the doctor thought my levels must have dropped slowly and over such a long period of time that my body adjusted to it.

I was on iron tablets for around 5 months to get me up to a 10. Now I hover around 8 usually and have to go back on the tablets every year or so when I start feeling rubbish. I’m just not getting enough from my diet despite trying with spinach etc and it sounds like you are the same - like me maybe you’ll have to take tablets semi-regularly.

No veg has comparable iron levels to meat.

My iron and ferritin levels are 2.4 and 2.8 and have been for months (one got worse and dropped from 2.9 to 2.4), but I'm not sure which is which though.

My GP surgery don't seem bothered in the slightest so I'm assuming it has no damaging effects and isn't really a big deal.

I also have very low calcium, vit D and very low B12, so it's probably common to not just have 1 deficiency.

I hope you get things sorted though, OP.

I was asking if you know why because it can be a sign of other conditions.
Eg really heavy periods which could be addressed or absorption issues as a pp suggests. It can also be a symptom of some more serious things but I would expect you to feel much worse than you do. Tbh you say you don't feel that bad but it's probably because you are used to it. If it gets tackled you might be really surprised at how much better you feel. Good luck op

I get so confused talking about iron levels, I bleed heavily monthly now and my levels drop to about 40. My ferritin level however is 1 😒
I had a blood transfusion only last month op, my level is now 48 so not a massive difference

It’s not surprising you’re feeling knackered. I can always feel a difference when I hit 10 and I’ve never been below 8.5/9 but at that point I felt like shite. Hopefully the GP can help you. I wonder if people with chronic anemia get used to it. Mine has never obviously been as bad as lots of the posters here and has been sporadic. I’m amazed people at 2/3 are still functioning when I know how crap I’ve felt at higher levels.

I was referred to gynae over my ferritin and heavy periods. Now 18 months later I'm back at square one and think its to do with absorption. My skin is dry and flaky. My hair has fallen out. Honestly chase it up and see why.