Anaemia

[rhombuspocahontas]

Evening,

I recently undergone blood tests as I've been exhausted, having night sweats and ache in my groin.

The nurse sent a text today saying the conclusion is I'm anaemic and should buy iron tablets from the supermarket.

Having looked at the results on patient access the only results flagged as abnormal are neutrophils at 8.0.

My question is what level of iron should I take? I've found 210mg online - is this sufficient or too much?

Secondly my diet isn't bad, should I ask if there's a reason for my anaemia or just try the tablets and see if my symptoms improve?

The surgery is quite hard to contact hence me asking on here and I can't reply to the text she sent.

I’m prescribed these 1 tablet 3 x a day when my ferritin drops to around 15.
www.easymedshealth.com/products/ferrous-fumarate-210mg-iron-tablets-packs-of-84-multi-quantity-listing
How much & how long you take for depends on how low you are. Did the nurse not say anything else?

I’ve read something interesting that suggests levels are boosted quicker by taking every other day so I stick to that.
www.practiceupdate.com/content/iron-absorption-from-supplements-is-greater-with-alternate-day-than-with-consecutive-day-dosing-in-iron-deficient-anemic-women/88230

It causes me horrendous constipation whenever I have to re start taking iron so I have to take dulcoease or fybogel on the evenings that I’ve taken them until my body adjusts. However, Iron causes some people nausea and upset stomach, taking with food (rather than on an empty stomach and an hour before eating) can stop it upsetting your tummy too much but food/caffeine does affect absorption. Orange juice boosts absorption.

They don’t tend to investigate causes if you are a woman who has periods ime, certainly not in my area. I’ve had a hysterectomy and they still aren’t interested in why I have low iron!

Thank you. So 210mg isn't a huge amount then? I was looking at supermarket brands and they were much much lower! I was worried I'd take too much but it seems not.

My ferritin levels are 24 so within normal range but obviously I'm not a doctor so they must think I need supplements.

Interesting that it's better every other day, I'll try that and see if things improve.... I could honestly sleep all day at the moment.

No other information, it really was just: 'We've found your iron levels are low, you may wish to buy supplements from the supermarket'

My levels were 22 when last checked in January & I’m still having them prescribed but I lowered to 2 tablets once a day & I’m due to be rechecked in June.

If you are on thyroxine don’t take iron tablets with 2 hours of taking it or it affects the absorption of the thyroxine. If you don’t have thyroid issues ignore that bit of advice. Maybe ask for a recheck blood test in 3 months & see how things look then.

It’s awful when you feel so tired, I hope you soon feel better

Thank you @Youdontknowwhatyoureonabout I am on thyroxine so it's a good job you said. I'm going to start rattling when I walk soon with all these tablets!