Anaemia

[Alysskea]

Recently been going through the pre-referral tests so we can be referred to the fertility clinic. Feeling pretty devastated because my blood tests keep coming up anaemic. I’m in a same sex relationship so no baby for me until this is sorted :(

I’ve been taken 100% iron tablets every day, eating the right foods in large quantities as I have also been gaining weight to be in the healthy range.

Feeling confused and like my body has betrayed me. Anyone else have tips and tricks to up iron levels? GP seems as confused as I am.

Take with OJ to help with absorption.

There is also something I read about taking double the dose every other day increases iron better than taking it every day. I will see if I can find the info.

How long have you been taking the iron for?

www.practiceupdate.com/content/iron-absorption-from-supplements-is-greater-with-alternate-day-than-with-consecutive-day-dosing-in-iron-deficient-anemic-women/88230

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

Have you been offered an iron infusion? What are your levels atm?

@HazelandChacha

Have you been tested for coeliac disease?

I have coeliac!! It’s possible this is gut damage but I am in a strict diet and it is controlled so it shouldn’t really be this persistent.

@PissyMum

Have you been offered an iron infusion? What are your levels atm?

Not yet - getting an update on levels at GP this week. I may ask about iron infusion.

[quote HazelandChacha]www.practiceupdate.com/content/iron-absorption-from-supplements-is-greater-with-alternate-day-than-with-consecutive-day-dosing-in-iron-deficient-anemic-women/88230[/quote]
This is really interesting

Do you have very heavy periods?

If you’re dangerously low you would be referred for an immediate iron infusion. It’s shit that you can’t be referred just because you’re slightly anaemic though. I have a condition that often causes large internal bleeds resulting in severe anaemia. When I told GP I was planning on conceiving I was never told to get my condition under control first, I was just monitored more regularly. If it’s good enough for standard conception, it should be good enough for fertility clinics.

If you want to get your levels up quickly the only reliable way to do it is to have an infusion or a blood transfusion. If you’re in a city there’s likely a clinic that can offer iron infusions (they’re normally about £100) if your GP is wanting you to stick with the iron tablets first. Or, if you were being naughty, you could tell your GP the iron tablets make you vomit (common side effect) and they’ll be more likely to give you an infusion.

@PissyMum this is excellent advice! And I appreciate your solidarity - I have to jump through a lot of hoops that I wouldn’t have to if I was conceiving naturally with a male partner! Annoying!! I’ll make sure to be firm with the GP if tablets continue to do nothing and might even shell out for an infusion!

@Blackopal

Do you have very heavy periods?

I think they’re heavier than most tbh and aren’t helping me

My daughter has Coeliac disease and we have never managed to get her iron levels up to normal despite iron tablets (and orange juice) and the addition of red meat into her diet (along with dark green veg, fried fruit etc etc).
Previous to her diagnosis we were reducing our meat consumption but she just suffers so much from tiredness we can’t now - dietitian says red meat is by far the best way of getting iron up. It’s awful seeing her suffer.
I wish you best of luck in your fertility treatments, I have been there myself and it’s tough.

DRIED fruit

@PissyMum I’ve only seen iron infusions for around £500, is there a particular clinic that offers them for around £100? I’ve been desperate to get one but really can’t afford £500.

hazelandchacha if you do it through a proper hospital or Iron Clinic they tend to be more expensive but increasingly beauty salons/ spas are offering vitamin infusions and iron infusions which are loads cheaper.

I don’t imagine they will be the same strength then if they are being done at a salon, there can be serious side effects for prescription iron infusions so isn’t something non medical staff should be able to administer.

They are absolutely the same thing. The practitioners are always qualified nurses (never use one without a qualified nurse, obviously!) and will always check your levels before an infusion.