anaemic

[CuriosityShopper]

I have suffered with anaemia for the past 5.5 years since giving birth to my first child.
Just recently had to be tested for coeliac as my brother hhas been diagnosed. Dr did full bloods as well as I said I was constantly tired.
Anyway, results show coeliac unlikely, but Haemagglutinin slightly low at 11.3 and ferretin level is slightly low at 6. Suggested iron tablets.
I asked about root cause and was told probably heavy periods and would need to supplement with iron forever. Is this true or should I see someone else?

I should add, she said that my low iron would not be why I was chronically tired. That's just life with small children!?

6 is very low. Mine is 9 after having DS, I bled after his birth.

You'll need iron tablets to bring your ferritin back up to maintain your Hb. Take with orange juice and avoid dairy and caffeine for a couple of hours to maximise absorption. Can make you constipated and will turn your poo black!

Yes it will make you tired, but so can a Vit D deficieny and thyroid problems (I have all three). Hopefully the iron will help though so see how it goes.

I would be seeing a gynae in your particular circumstances. Heavy periods can cause anaemia to arise. If this is the case the cause of the heavy periods needs to be properly established. Fibroids for instance can cause heavy bleeding.

Did you also have your thyroid hormone levels checked?.

Ask them to check B12 too OP

Ferritin of six is off the scale!!!! In the range for iron transfusions. The range is something like 11-307 depending on your local ranges. Thyroid people recommend ferritin to be 70-90 for the medication to work as it should. I had ferritin of 12 and I know how awful I felt, so I feel for you with young children to care for too. The periods won't be helping, but will not be completely responsible for that result. If you have a brother with coeliac, then there is a good chance your result is down to coeliac too. I have narrowed mine ferritin shortcomings down ( after 18 months on a gluten free diet) to probable coeliac and lactose intolerance, and am now about to go back down the route of trying to get a coeliac diagnosis, my blood test was negative which was done prior to starting GF diet. Did they test your thyroid function too?

Maybe my ferritin being 9 and being hypothyroid explains why I feel so tired!

Thank you everyone!!! Full bloods done. Thyroid etc all checked and Dr said was normal. Although now I am dubious as she said 6 was only slightly low as "8 is the lower end of scale "(I had previously been told 12)... she is not my normal doctor was just who I happened to get the day I rang about coeliac.

When I had my daughter 5.5 years ago (emergency cs)the surgeon asked if I suffered with heavy periods - prior to that pregnancy I hadn't. They were never light but always normal and never impacted on my life. Since they returned after breastfeeding they were like mini floods. And after my second pregnancy the same and still today are irritatingly heavy and long. Attila that's definitely something for.me.to research for tallying symptoms.

GP said that it is a vicious cycle. I guess I have to at least give the iron supplements a chance to work. Is 3 months lomg enough to see a change?
Posh penny, I have researched coeliac so I do have that in the back of my mind.... I feel.for you having to undo all your hard work. Hope you get the answer you hope for.

GP reluctant to give copies of blood tests, which I can understand but frustrating when they don't seem to want understand why.my body is failing to store iron.
sorry for the rant. Do I have a right to.them?

That first post should have said.haemaglobin. .
. Smart phone my Eye!!

Lloyd George - is b 12 something special they would ask for or would it be standard in the original fbc check? some of the gps at our surgery don't like anyone who has researched anything online.

You have every right to have a copy of your results. They can just print them out for you.

I would request further investigation. As if you are anaemic because of heavy periods they should be investigating if there is a reason your periods are so heavy. Also get the numbers for the thyroid test, sometimes they tell you the thyroid is fine but it's actually borderline and another test could indicate an issue.

When I was diagnosed as anaemic the go sent me for a range of hospital tests to check there was nothing seriously wrong.

Thank you all ?

Sympathies to you. I don't really understand why your gp won't give you a copy of your blood results. I've always thought it was a right? My gp always gives me them even if I've asked and often when I havent.

Also when I was diagnosed with anaemia and, subsequently, with very low ferritin levels a year and a half ago I felt absolutely whacked and very dizzy with minor exertion. I went to visit my daughter at uni, walked 1/2 mile up a small hill and she was alarmed that I had to lie down on her bedroom floor because I felt dizzy and faint.

My gp sent me to see a gynaecologist ASAP and I was given a transvaginal scan. Plus my gp told me it would take around 6 months to feel back to normal.

I find it pretty terrible that under the national health service we should receive such different experiences seemingly just down to luck of the gp draw.

Our levels are not exactly the same but in the same ballpark.

Thanks tobee... I do get out of breath and tired quickly. And I am a fairly fit person, so it is frustrating.
I am certainly going to push for more investigation if things do not improve with the iron supplement. You have given me plenty to ask about.
many thanks again everyone x

6 v low. At 7 and a half I honestly felt like I was dying. I sometimes struggled to even walk ten minutes to the local shop and back.

The idea that heavy periods therefore justifies you taking iron forever is insulting and ridiculous. Your GP needs to refer you to get the periods sorted.

Remus lupins biggest groupie. Thank you. to think I almost didn't ask the question... so glad I did.?