prescribed iron without discussion with doctor- is that right?

[sunglasses]

Hi.
Recently had blood test results from a full blood count and thyroid test. The receptionist rang me to say the results were back and the message from the doctor was to collect a prescription for ferrous fumerate. There was no discussion of the results.
A blood test 4 months ago was showing a low red blood count ( just a bit low the doctor said) and low TSH but normal thyroid( presumably T4) and thats why I had the blood test repeated.
I had gone to doctor in the first place with symptoms of high thyroid ( I have had it before) palpitations etc.
I have asked for an appointment as I would like my results explained and a possible reason given for them. I eat healthily but am nearly always anaemic when I have a FBC done. Have been prescribed iron in the past but hate the constipation that comes with it so....
What should I be discussing with him?? Further tests? possible other treatments??
Thanks

Perhaps you should be discussing the cause of your anaemia? The two most likely culprits are either heavy periods or a diet lacking in iron rich foods. I would recommend investigating ways to bring more iron into your diet and checking with your doctor if this might be enough. Spatone is great and doesn't cause constipation but it depends on how anaemic your are.

Thanks. I do eat lots of iron rich foods, i'm not vegetarian so eat red meat 1-2 times a week and green veg like broccoli, spinach, kale etc almost every day. My periods are heavy but only for the first 2 days and they last around 5 days but are coming around every 25 days at the moment.
I will be asking about the possible reasons for the anaemia but I have found in the past they always just assume an inadequate supply of iron from the diet without exploring if this really is the reason. Maybe I don't absorb iron? or my B12 might be low? Just wondering what I should be pushing to explore further or am I destined to be forever anaemic unless on iron tablets!
My doctor once put me on floradix when I was pregnant and a thyroid specialist I was seeing at the time laughed and said that was only for people wanting to boost their iron and other vitamins etc for optimum health and wouldn't do much for anyone with anaemia. Not sure if he was talking sense or not- anyone with more knowledge than me?

Thanks- how would he find out the cause of the anaemia? In the past they have always assumed poor diet but my diet is good and full of iron rich foods. Periods are heavy but only for first 2 days. Could there be other reasons? Any link with thyroid?

whoops posted twice as my first reply temporarily disappeared!

Very high thyroid levels and low level can sometimes cause anaemia, could be that

Clarella- do you mean high thyroid and low tsh?(thyroid stimulating hormone)
thats interesting. Can you tell me more about how thyroid is linked to anaemia ?

Has he checked your B12? What are your haemoglobin levels like?
When in third trimester I had pernicious (sp) anaemia, had to have emergency blood transfusions and deliver dd early.
If I was you id push to get seen by the hospital consultants as they may be able to find out why your anaemic so often, and what could be done about it.
Personally I've had several b12 injections and regular bloods taken to monitor my levels. This may be worthwhile for you, before it could escalate into something which is more serious and potentially life threatening.

Even if you eat an iron rich diet, certain foods may be hindering your body's ability to absorb the iron you're eating. Tea (because of the tannins) is particularly bad as I've recently found out myself.

Either hyper or hypo apparently. Not always but higher incidence. I read a study but I can't find it now.

My ferritin was 55 and I tried boosting through diet but it went down. Now on iron tablets. But I think the reason needs to be identified.

Absorption is quite a thing. Yes floridax did nowt!

Very little of the iron in spinach, kale and leafy green veg is biologically available so they aren't good sources of iron. Plus a big portion of kale is't actually that big in iron anyway - it's mainly fibre, it's why its healthy! You need the meat + fish + eggs element.

Heavy periods are the most common source of anaemia in women. If they are heavy for 2 days that's easily heavy enough to make you anaemic.

And B12 deficiency couses a different sort of anaemia to iron deficiency. B12 doesn't affect iron absorption. Your dr will be able to see on your results which sort it is.

Only just caught up with these replies- thanks everyone. Had an app with Dr. He said my iron levels were normal but that my haemoglobin and hematicrit levels were slightly low so slightly anaemic. I have just had blood tests for b12, ferritin and folate and have heard no news on results so assuming nothing worrying. Dr advised that even though iron levels weren't low might be good to take even 1 iron tablet everyday perhaps indefinitely. He said my tsh was now in the normal range but had no results for t4 or t3 as they don't test if tsh is normal.
I have to say my crashing tiredness does appear mostly around my period- before and during first couple of days so perhaps that is the reason.
Would 1 iron tablet a day make me feel better?