Can I do something about my not quite anaemia?

[elliejjtiny]

My iron levels are a bit low but not enough for the gp to prescribe iron tablets. Is there anything i can do to help? Dh has recently been diagnosed with a vit b deficiency nd is now being treated which has inspired me to try and do something about my not quite anaemia.

You dont need a prescription for iron tablets but some are behind the counter so you have to ask. I'd suggest discussing your iron levels with a pharmacist to see what the recommend.

Years ago, the GP recommended I take iron and folic acid supplements without being any more specific than that. I landed on Ferroglobin which has both and B12. These kind of supplements have nothing like the strength of proper iron tablets which is why I suggest talking to a pharmacist.

I have also been anemic and done the iron tablets thing. Lots of people apparently find them difficult to tolerate. I got on fine so long as I took them on an empty stomach. Black poo is a known side effect, dont panic.

And whilst you're there, top up on vitamin D as per NHS recommendations for Oct to Mar.

As above, iron and vit d available over the counter. Increase iron rich foods.

Just buy some at the pharmacy or order online. Ferrous gluconate and ferrous bisglyici are better tolerated by most people!

That should read ferrous bisglycinate

Just top up yourself with some over the counter iron tablets. I am on the cusp for b12 injections it is very frustrating but I just take some vitamins so hopefully give myself a boost.

I was in a similar situation and was advised to cut down on caffeine as that affects the way in which your body absorbs iron and vitamins etc. It worked for me!

I bought my ferrous sulphate from the pharmacy.

I took one every 48hrs with a 1000mcg vitamin C tablet (from amazon) and on an empty stomach, no decaf coffee for two hrs afterwards.

I also had the coil fitted.

My ferritin went from 16 (scale of 0-300) to 118 (scale of 0-150). The scales changed between tests at my local hospital.

food intake doesn't really make any difference if you are bleeding a lot.

It's not caffeine that prevents absorption it's the polyphenols. I also avoided tea and herbal tea within two hours.

Eat more animal protein. I was always borderline, increased all protein types to 100g-150g a day for six months and they came up a lot. GP said she'd never seen anyone as good.

Iron tablets over the counter drank with orange juice and B12 injections every 12 weeks best £20 I spend every 3 months.

Fereglobin liquid... its been great for me

Wow, how long were you on ferrous sulphate for? My ferritin was also 16 last year and I've been on and off ferrous sulphate for months and I'm worried I've overdone it now. Have no idea what my current ferritin levels are. I already overdid the B12 so I'm cautious about supplements now!

Wow, how long were you on ferrous sulphate for?

In my case it was about five months (although I can't remember my before/after measurements) to get me from anaemic to not anaemic but I had regular blood tests in that time.

I think you should go back to your GP for a conversation and a blood test. Even if you have chronic anaemia it should be checked regularly.

Thank you. I assumed the pharmacy wouldn't be able to help as he gp couldn't but i will give them a try. I eat lots of iron rich foods but my periods are awful with lots of flooding.

What are your actual levels? Ferritin needs to be at least 70 rather than the really low amounts a gp will sign off on.

I paid for a b12 injection at a pharmacy it was about £25 , I was also on the cusp, it worked wonders and I supplement with b12 tablets now, had a recent blood test and my b12 is great, I had the injection over a year ago it just gave me a boost to get the levels going. I'd been taking the supplements before and it wasn't making much difference, it's worth looking into

I took them for 4 months to start then had a gap after my coil was fitted. My levels went to 70.

Then I had another few months of taking it, mainly because I was having a lot of surgery and was worried the blood loss would affect me.

So got to 118 that way.

Also I don't think you can over do vitamin b12.

My levels were off the chart but GP said that's because I was supplementing. They werent bothered at all.

Thank you. You must've felt amazing once you got up to 118!

Also I don't think you can over do vitamin b12.
My levels were off the chart but GP said that's because I was supplementing. They werent bothered at all.

Yeah from what I understand B12 is fairly safe-but when I found out how high my results were I was a bit shocked! I wasn't getting any problems from it or anything I don't think. But I realised I was overdoing the supplements a bit. B6 is the one you have to be careful with IIRC.