Anaemia after giving birth - why isn't it getting better?

[iwouldgoouttonight]

I had DD four months ago and lost a litre of blood during the birth. I was already slightly anaemic and they said I might have to stay in hospital to have a blood transfusion, but then suddenly said I could go home the same day and just take iron tablets. I took three a day for three months and now down to two a day. I had a blood test a month ago to check my iron levels and they had gone down from 8 to 6 (they said normal levels were between 10-13) so the doctor said to continue with the iron tablets for another three months. He said it was nothing to worry about though.

The problem is I often feel faint and slightly dizzy, I'm constantly tired, and often feel depressed. Its difficult to tell whether this is all because of the anaemia or if its just having two small children to look after!

I'm eating really well - I know which foods have lots of iron in, and I make sure I'm eating vitamin C with them to help absorb the iron, and not drinking tea, etc which stops iron absorption. But it doesn't seem to be getting any better - well its got worse if its gone down from 8 to 6!

Can there be anything else wrong which stops iron being absorbed? Or do I just need a good night's sleep?!

I would perhaps ask them to look at what's happening and why as it's affecting your day to day life. The symptoms you describe are definitely anaemia related as well as exacerbated by having little people to look after.

Have they tried a different iron supplement? I did not get on with mine at all and tried several types. Eventually found that liquid iron- spatone or floradix- worked where the tablets hadn't.

It took 18 months in the end to get my iron levels to 9, let alone any higher. With an appropriate supplement and a good diet, your levels should be going back up. Obviously.

There are underlying reasons why you might still be anaemic though, things like thyroid imbalances. Go to your GP to rule these sorts of things out.

That is low, no wonder you are feeling horrid! I struggled to breathe and had lots of dizzy spells when mine went down to 7.9
Iron pills didn't work for me, but i am still on spatone 18months after having DD and it really seems to help.

Would echo spatone or spirolina for iron absorption. I had twins and my iron levels were as low as 5, I couldn't walk without feeling I Was going to faint. I would go back to the drs and insist on a follow up as you sound exhausted. Very best of luck

after my 2nd baby i had a really bad tear and lost a lot of blood my level was 5 when it had previously been 14.1 i refused blood transfusion many times and came home from hospital i wasnt good took 3 iron tablets a day lot of orange juice only 6 sachets of spatone in 3 weeks it was 10.4 so if you are doing the same and nothing is changing you need to go back to doctors because in my experience iron tablets is the thing they should work

6? You need a blood transfusion. a HG level of 8 or under needs resolving and quickly. If you get no help from your GP so to A&E - explain - and they will take some action.

This makes me so mad!!! Why dont GP's take this seriously?

Good luck x