Can you still be anaemic if you don't have periods??

[cakedup]

I've been anaemic since my teens. Have also always had very heavy periods. For the last 10 years or so, I've taken prescribed iron tablets.

I recently had a hysterectomy, 6 weeks post op. So no more periods. I recently saw my doctor who told me I should stop taking my iron tablets. I suggested that at some point I should take a blood test, just to check if I'm still anaemic, but she insisted that I wouldn't need to as I will no longer lose so much blood every month. She knows I'm vegan (I eat well) and just advised me to take B12 vits.

Surely by this logic, the only people who can be anaemic are women with heavy periods?? Just wondering if anyone has had any experiences that may shed some light on this because it doesn't make sense to me.

I have similar thoughts to you, in a similar situation.

However, there are definitely other reasons for being anaemic than just heavy periods. Men can be anaemic.

I have annual blood tests anyway ( that's how my anaemia was discovered) and have not been told to take iron since my hysterectomy over 3 years ago.

I think it's likely that your periods were the cause. The only way you can be more certain is through another blood test.

Did you have any symptoms before that have now gone away? It may be too early to say.

Also, it's dangerous to take iron tablets if you don't need them.

It takes time to build up your iron stores. Obviously not losing a lot of blood every month will make this easier but you don’t go from anaemia to fine as soon as the blood loss stops.

I would expect bloods to be taken and checked and dosage adjusted accordingly until you’re no longer anaemic.

Im in a similiar situation mine was discovered with my hypothyroidism. Very low ferattin levels so have been put on two months of iron tablets. I need a repeat blood test next month and i asked my gp if my iron will be repeated and she said no. She also said when the tablets run out i wont need anymore. I dont understand how it works at all and how much extra does it cost if thry are already running bloods anyway?

I'm not quite sure how it works either EachandEveryone. DS' iron levels showed up a bit low on his blood test, so doctor only prescribed 2 months worth too. But now 6 months later, DS' feeling tired again, so requested another blood test and again, iron is low. And again, only 2 months prescription with no follow up for another blood test.

I've only just stopped taking the iron tablets tobee. I hadn't realised I was meant to stop before, but the doctor said there's an adjustment period anyway, plus I would have lost a lot of blood from the op, but still she was quite firm that I stop straight away.

I guess I'll just see how I feel but symptoms of anaemia aren't always obvious, especially as my body isn't 100% healed after the hysterectomy. Rather than spend weeks faffing around, could I be could I not be, I'd rather just have a blood test?

IvorBiggun what you wrote makes sense to me! You're not a doctor are you? I might just make an appointment with another doctor I think.

low iron can be cause by poor absorption, not just blood loss.

i have coeliac disease and normal/light periods and have been anaemic on/off for 5 years because my gut is damaged

*caused

I have very small red blood cells and as a consequence don't store iron well in my blood. I've been anemic on and off since I was about 7 or 8. I had lots of tests to try and pin down a more specific cause but eventually that was the diagnosis I was given and I was put on iron supplements constantly as a child with regular blood tests. As an adult I now just buy iron tablets and take them when I know I feel low. There are many reasons for anemia and it really can be very debilitating so I would request regular blood tests until you know you are going to be ok.

I found the shop bought iron supplements never worked for me.

I realise doctors aren't perfect but I do wonder about my gp sometimes. She once prescribed me medication for low thyroid, then I was told by 2 other doctors the level was no where near as low to consider medication.

If she has told you to stop taking iron tablets and take B12 then you were likely never iron deficient. B12 and folate defienciency are very common in vegans, especially B12 as B12 is exclusively gained from non-plant material so unless you are taking B12 supplements you will become anaemic. A vegan diet is not maintainable without supplementation.

Info from the vegan society

www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12

More info

www.vegansociety.com/resources/nutrition-and-health/nutrients/vitamin-b12/what-every-vegan-should-know-about-vitamin-b12

I think you should get the blood test. How can she know whether you are anaemic or not for sure without a blood test. I wouldn't have a lot of faith in this doctor. Can't you just buy your own iron tablets and take them. I don't think they're very expensive.

No I’m not a doctor but I have had two types of anaemia and seen a lot of doctors!

The advice always varies but in the end without bloods it’s just guesswork.

FlippingFoal Thanks for the links. I had already been taking B12 supplements - sorry that was not clear in my original post. I've always been anaemic - it's in the family. So I don't think it was due to not having enough B12.

Viviennemary I found shop bought iron supplements never worked for me. If I am still anaemic, I'd rather take the prescribed version that I know is the required amount. But you're right...only a blood test can tell.