Help me/ tell me about Anemia

[Flippingknackered12]

Ive been anemic on and off, although more on for around 20 years.

Last year my reading was 4, i managed to increase it to 14 with iron tablets then when I’m off then it just drops like a stone, I’m currently at level 6, but this time low in Folic Acid and Vit D, so also now supplementing these as well.

I use inhalers for breathing as I struggle, I’ve pins & needles in my hands and numbness in my arm. My feet feel like there are insects crawling on them sometimes, then there’s the tiredness. I have extreme brain fog where is sometimes struggle to say the full sentence, heart palpitations and tinnitus, yet my GP keeps fobbing me off with tablets and basically saying it must be my period?

Now maybe TMI but when I take the iron tablets it does give me extremely heavy periods, like nothing I’ve seen before.

Im struggling with my job and making it through a full day. How can I find out more or what do I ask the doctor as to why I’m like this.

Thank you.

I had such a similar experience.

I would suggest getting a print out of your last couple of blood tests so you can see exactly what has been tested each time and all the readings. Have you had thyroid and B12 checked? Thyroid issues can cause heavier bleeding, B12 can cause the pins and needles and crawling sensations, along with crushing fatigue, even at the lower end of the normal range.

Have you been referred for an ultrasound to check to see if you have fibroids or something? Honestly, I despair at how I was (& so many women are) left to struggle on for so long. Is there another Dr at the practice you could book and discuss this with? I hope you find some help soon. I’d love to be able to pay privately for an iron infusion but it’s far too expensive for me to afford, would that be an option for you to give your levels a boost?

I am a Board Certified Rheumatologist practicing in Hamilton, New Jersey. I have more than 20 years of experience in rheumatology and own a rheumatology clinic in Lakewood and Hamilton, New Jersey.

Anemia is a medical condition that occurs when your body doesn't have enough red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Without enough red blood cells or hemoglobin, your body doesn't get enough oxygen, which can lead to fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
There are many different types of anemia, but some of the most common include:

1. Iron-deficiency anemia: This occurs when your body doesn't have enough iron to produce hemoglobin.
2. Vitamin-deficiency anemia: This can happen when your body doesn't have enough of certain vitamins, such as vitamin B12 or folate, which are necessary for the production of red blood cells.
3. Hemolytic anemia: This occurs when your body destroys red blood cells faster than it can produce them.
4. Aplastic anemia: This occurs when your bone marrow doesn't produce enough red blood cells.
5. Sickle cell anemia: This is an inherited condition that affects the shape of the red blood cells, making them rigid and prone to breaking apart.

Treatment for anemia depends on the underlying cause. Iron supplements, vitamin supplements, and blood transfusions are common treatments for various types of anemia. It's important to speak with a healthcare professional if you suspect you may have anemia, as it can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

Have you ever been offered an iron infusion? If not that’s disgraceful. It puts the ferretin back up to normal levels and as long as you can tolerate it you will feel Amazon.
Have you been tested for gluten intolerance/celiac? Anemia can be one of the signs

You need to see your GP again and insist on an iron infusion. It's appalling that they are ignoring such severe symptoms.
I had severe anemia last year... with all the symptoms you mentioned. I could barely cross the room before becoming severely breathless.
I thought I had long covid and eventually went to the GP. I asked for bloods to be taken and that night I received a phone call telling me to go into hospital for a blood transfusion, I had been working that day!
I ended up having 3 units of blood and 2 iron infusions. I could not believe how much better I felt. I realised how insidious it must have been and how your body will cope until the last minute. My heart had become enlarged and I felt absolutely dreadful, I put it down to Covid, menopause and blamed myself for not exercising enough!
Please please see your GP they are being really negligent. Once treated you will feel so much better!

I practically begged for an infusion and I was declined, instead I had to take time off work as I couldn’t get through a day or actually concentrate long enough to do my role.

Its just never ending and I feel quite depressed as I can’t do the things I should be able to do and I’m so short tempered as I’m so tired! I’m worried too as I feel I need more time from work.

Doctors don’t seem to care if I’m honest, just keep giving me tablets. I was so bad at one point I was rushed to A&E by my doctor for a suspected blood clot but it was all down to my levels.

That’s dreadful @Flippingknackered12 ! What is your hemoglobin?
Could you see a different GP? I really really sympathize with you, its so horrible.

Are the numbers you mention your ferritin levels? I struggled with ferritin of 3 for 3 years. My gp allowed me to struggle on even though I felt like crap every single day. The iron tablets really upset my digestive system (I have IBS) but they still wouldn’t refer me for an infusion. In the end, as I was already under gynae for very heavy periods my gynaecologist kindly referred me for an iron infusion which I had a year ago. My ferritin went to 56 and I felt great but has since dropped to 18 and I’m starting to feel tired again. If you can, ask to be referred to see a gynaecologist regarding your heavy periods and ask them to refer you for an infusion. I find it incredulous that GPs allow people to suffer from low iron for so long.

It sounds a lot like celiac. Did you do a blood test for celiac? The proper diagnosis needs a biopsy, but you can usually tell from the blood test results. How is your vitamin D?

My Vit D is also low and I’ve been told to take 4000iu Vit D supplement each day along with 5mg Folic Acid and 420mg of Ferrous Fumarate.

Im just struggling so much and really worried as I’m struggling at work.

Celiac for me had all those symptoms. Crazy low vitamin D, anemia, brain fog.
When I asked for a celiac test the Dr told me it's fashionable nowadays to think you have celiac. He had to apologise (or at least, be a bit shamefaced) when the results came back. Off gluten for years now, and it's been a miracle cure. But I mean 100% off gluten. Don't go off gluten before doing the tests, cuz you need a baseline to compare future tests to.
If you have celiac all the supplements just don't work cuz you don't absorb them properly.