To ask about anemia?

[LemonSwan]

I have been super ill the last week, and cant seem to work out why.

Think I am getting better but when I try to expel any energy I just feel like I am going to keel over and die (sounds dramatic - probably slightly is, but also it does kind of feel like that). The nearest thing I can describe it too is a low blood sugar attack combined with a minor heart attack - but continuously for a week whenever I try to do anything.

I dragged myself into work today because I cant stay off work for ever.

Someone said have you got anemia?

I brushed it off but on googling the symptom list is spot on, and the day this all started was the day of my period.

Who has had this?
What do I do? (doctors or just take tablets)
How long for the tablets to work etc?

Thanks in advance for any info on this

Anaemia is usually gradual, unless you haemorrhage such as an accident. Are you periods extremely heavy? You need to have a blood test to check. Might also be thyroid, diabetes or even Vit D deficiency. If you are anaemic, over the counter iron tablets are of little help. Over the counter dose is a maintenance dose, not to build up your levels. You really need to get checked to see if you are indeed anaemic, and what level your Hb is before moving onto next steps and dietary changes.

Hi

I’ve experienced the same symptoms as you, anaemia is probably the first thing that pops up in my mind although, mine was a lack of vitamin b12.

Firstly explain to the GP, they will send you for a blood test. They can check things like vitamin D, b12 and iron. There are different things that can amount to becoming sick due to vitamin deficiency. I receive b12 shots every 3 months forever now, as my diet can’t contribute enough.

Also when I was getting tested I also thought perhaps I might be diabetic but my tests came back normal. It’s very hard sometimes to pinpoint certain symptoms but I kept a small diary.

How is your diet in general? This might be able to pin point what you might be lacking in. But for sure the blood test should pick this up.

I hope that you feel better soon, take everything as slowly as possible that helped me.

Meant to say that I've been anaemic, despite eating meat and not having heavy periods. I'd do my normal job, but felt exhausted and couldnt then go for walk/swim etc. I was getting UTIs and colds more often than usual. I felt dizzy and light headed at a basic gym class. I also developed a craving for crunching on ice cubes! I also ate 1kg of cherries in 1 sitting several times. I've since learnt that unusual food cravings can be a sign.

Blood tests at the GP.

Reading the symptoms I do think I have had it a long time, if thats what it is. But just mildly.

The last few years I have been super tired, feeling like I can never get enough sleep. To the point I had CBT training because I was restless at night but then couldnt get up in the morning.

I just thought I was a shit sleeper and just getting older.

I thought my diet was balanced but on reading the iron list - its pretty much everything I dont eat.

I have been getting headaches this year for the first time in my life, but again thought this was an age thing.

I will book to see the doctor. I am kind of excited because if I do have this its could potentially solve a lot of issues I have been having.

Menopause can also cause unusual symptoms, so if a possibility, ask your GP about hormonal checks at the same time.

I am 30 and hope to have children so I hope it isnt that!

@LemonSwan- You mentioned shit sleeper and getting older, so thought you might be older than 30, sorry. Keep us updated how you get on though, but do get checked.

Anemia and Thyroid have very similar symptoms (as do a number of other things)
Speak to your GP and get a blood test, ask them to check your TPO (thyroid antibodies) too.

@LemonSwan

I have been super ill the last week, and cant seem to work out why.

Think I am getting better but when I try to expel any energy I just feel like I am going to keel over and die (sounds dramatic - probably slightly is, but also it does kind of feel like that). The nearest thing I can describe it too is a low blood sugar attack combined with a minor heart attack - but continuously for a week whenever I try to do anything.

I dragged myself into work today because I cant stay off work for ever.

Someone said have you got anemia?

I brushed it off but on googling the symptom list is spot on, and the day this all started was the day of my period.

Who has had this?
What do I do? (doctors or just take tablets)
How long for the tablets to work etc?

Thanks in advance for any info on this

When I had my covid jab the dr asked if I'd had any blood tests recently, am I usually this pale (think Scottish red head) and so I get breathless. I said yes so she advised me to call Dr to ask for a full blood count. I did and I am anemic so was told to take otc iron and need a retest in 3 months. I would advise to to speak to a dr and tell them your symptoms and ask for a full blood count and a ferritin blood test.

Sounds a bit like a B12 deficiency, or even vitamin D.

Never ever did I consider how much vitamin deficiencies can affect us until I was deficient myself.

I had weightloss surgery and was told to be careful of all my vitamins, but I'd definitely need b12 jabs.
I remember thinking, surely I'm OK without! Let's see how long I can go!
By the 5 month mark, oh man. I was so unwell!

I was always tired, always having headaches, just didn't have the energy for anything, I wasn't able to sleep, I was getting these AWFUL palpitations, my heart rate kept going up. My heart rate was in the 40s according to my watch, but it was spiking upto 110 beats as I was just sat, I had some dizziness, and my antidepressants weren't lifting my mood for anything!

2 days after the first B12 jab, I was almost as good as new!

Give iron tablets a go, get yourself on a decent multivitam regimen, and get a b12 jab, see if it makes anything better. Or atleast that's what I'd do

@Eleoura
No dont apologise! I am young but a gardener so quite in tune with my bodily aches and during the last few years I have been feeling age in my body a lot more. The knees are already going.

Due to my profession I would be surprised if its Vit D. I also took booster tablets last year due to the pandemic.

I am pale and half scottish too NotTodaySatanNotToday. I told my mum today and she said she's 'naturally anaemic' so perhaps its a scot thing. She told me to start drinking Guinness!

I will definitely get a blood count. Calling tomorrow.

You just go through life thinking this is how everyone feels. Same with my period pp was asking me about earlier. I have no idea if its heavy or light. I have no reference except myself!

Excited of the stories here of 'good as new'.

For your period, taking note of how long it takes to fill a moon cup or soak a tampon or pad will give an indication of how heavy it is. Also note if you get any clots, and a rough size of them if large, e.g. size of 50p piece, or something.

You can find flow charts online to help record it, which can also give an indication of what is a heavy flow.