Is there a difference between Low Iron & Anemia?

[AnotherBloodyUsername]

I thought low iron was anemia & vice versa

But DD has been told she has very low iron but she isn't anemic - is it a range and below X is anemia and above isn't?

There is a type of anaemia caused by low vitB12, called pernicious anaemia. Anemia is actually low oxygen in your blood, caused by the being low on the stuff that helps oxygen get in your blood - iron or VitB12.

Maybe in your DD's case she has iron levels that are at the low end of the normal range i.e.: low but not problematic.

Maybe

She feels it's problematic tho' poor thing is exhausted! 12 weeks of period now and no end in sight

She has a scan booked but it could be 2 weeks away

Get her GP to check her B12 and folate levels - iron is to obtain from diet, B12 and folate less so, especially if someone is vegetarian. I work in a lab and we see more people B12/folate deficient, than iron deficient.

It could be low ferritin. That’s the body’s iron reserves. It can lead to anaemia, but you can have low ferritin and not yet be anaemic.

And low ferritin levels can cause the same symptoms as anaemia.

She has been taking Spatone & I've suggested Floradix - would either help?

I've added Vit C & vit D to her daily stuff as well

I just hope they were the right choices - she is reluctant to take 'pills' as she gags

Probably low ferritin but sufficient haemoglobin. So, low iron reserves but sufficient circulating iron. That's my understanding, not a medical professionall

Is there an obvious cause of the low iron store? Like heavy periods or poor vegetarian diet?

She has been on her period for at least 11 weeks - starting the 12th week

She is exhausted

ragusa that's bang on! Low haemoglobin is anaemia. Low ferritin (or iron) is common in menstruating women but they may not be anaemia. Definitely no need for B12 & folate here as it's the heavy periods that are the cause. Presumably your GP is going to address the period issues?

Is the floradix OK though?

She has sent DD for a scan talking about a cyst on her cervix and maybe one in her ovary - but I'm not sure how much DD understood tbh

The scan could be a while & treatment even longer - is there anything to help her now? I don't understand why the GP hasn't given her something to stop the bleeding

Certain things can impair the bodies ability to absorb iron from food or supplements, things like tea, coffee, eggs, some dairy. Have a Google of the list but I would recommend she take her supplement about two hours after consuming anything that could be inhibiting iron uptake. The bleeding sounds like it could be endometriosis.

Sorry that's wrong a cyst on her cervix and maybe one in her uterus (I thought they were normally on the ovary so my fingers typed that)

You can get over the counter tablets in boots (presumably other pharmacy's too) that will slow down period bleeding. Tax... Something i think they are called (i take them but I'm not in the uk so not sure of the english name)

Ibuprofen also helps a bit.

Endometriosis is hard to get disgnosed isn't it?

SHe doesn't drink tea or coffee & takes her vit C & iron together (i think that's right isn't it)

I have addedin B12 even if it's not needed as I am deficient and it's water soluble so if it's inhereted she is OK and if it isn't she can pee it out

I also takt provera that regulates periods to four weekly.
How old is your dd - can you take her back to the gp and ask for medication to stop the bleeding?

Tranexamic acid or mefanemic acid would help, they're prescription only in the UK.
How old is DD OP? A second opinion from a diff GP might me a good idea....

The normal hemoglobin range for a woman is 12-15. Perhaps her level is at the low end of normal. Hemoglobin carries oxygen around the body, hence tiredness.

I recently took noristherone non stop for months to stop my periods before surgery as my hemoglobin was below 7 and I felt rubbish. Could this be an option to stop the bleeding?

FloraDix is fab, just check the RDAs to make sure that you aren’t overdosing on anything when giving more than one supplement.

B12 or folate deficiency anaemia isn’t the same as pernicious anaemia. The former can be a temporary thing and improved by adding folates to the diet. PA is an autoimmune condition where your body produces antibodies to attack healthy cells meaning that you can’t absorb B12 however much you add to your diet.

I hope she feels better soon.

Tranexamic acid is no longer prescription only, it can be bought in a pharmacy.

Is it this? tranexamic acid,

You don’t need to buy it otc though, I wouldn’t. Is it made to be taken for more than a few days? No idea.

I can’t take either of the acids as I have asthma, they have a similar list of side effects to ibruprofen.

I would return your GP.

I didn't know that, thank you.

cross posts - thanks

She is 20, was on the pill for irregular/irratic periods, went on the implant which made it much worse they said try for a year - the year coincided with a never ending period so they took the implant out & gave her an injection

Then they said she had a mushroomed shaped cervix - which I thought was polys but now have started talking about cysts (not sure I know the difference)

2 weeks wait for an ultrasound

I'm aneamic and also have problems with iron uptake so I'm on ferrous sulphate with folic acid.

I was given that at 16 and my DM made me take a pg test in front of her as before that day she'd never heard of such a thing!

The 12 w period sounds rough. I used to have 4 w ones and would pass out regularly. Does she also.have clotting issues?

Not as far as I am aware - but the blood isn't a great colour tbh

She has been in touch & she appears to have stopped over night - long may it last!

it stopped for a day or so then came back much more in quantity and a different brighter colour

She is in a fair amount of pain (it stopped her walking) but she feels she has to wait for the scan and that nothing else can be done