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Anaemia and stopping periods, don't really want to.

5 replies

Coldhands · 17/01/2010 07:55

Last year when my DS was about 20 months, my doctor found out I was anaemic (iron and folic acid deficiency). Doc said it was probably from when I was pregnant. I had the tablets for a few months then it was ok.

I had another blood test a couple of months later and even though my iron levels were still within the normal range, they had dropped quite significantly. I am due to have another blood test in a couple of months to see if levels have dropped again. My doc just says its probably due to my periods. TBH they are not that heavy, not light but nothing to worry about at all. She wants to stop them with the coil or injection but next year we want to ttc for DC2. Last time it took us over 3 years, found out I had endometriosis and almost had IVF (found I was pregnant 3 weeks before we were due to start). Because of this I would prefer to stay on the pill and not mess around with my cycle anymore as when we were ttc before my cycle was anything from 27 days to 41.

My doc said she will refer me to the hospital for them to have a look at my bowels but she really thinks it is due to my periods. I am unsure as I have IBS, so I'm told, but I have always felt that something is not quite right, due to random pains in stomach etc.

Does anyone have any similar experiences of this? If my body doesn't seem to be storing iron, I'm not sure that stopping average periods will help. I didn't have this problem before DS.

OP posts:
EldonAve · 17/01/2010 08:15

I suggest you ask for a referral to a haematologist and a referral to a gynae plus your GPs suggested referral

It could be you are not absorbing the iron or a storage issue

The gynae will be able to give alternative treatments to reduce your periods without affecting your fertility

AttilaTheMeerkat · 17/01/2010 10:18

Coldhands

Would agree with Eldon Ave. WOuld just add that my guess is the endometriosis is recurring - but you do need proper medical advice from a gynaecologist. The irregularity of cycle could also be due to hormonal imbalances.

Some women with IBS actually have endometriosis; endo can often give rise to stomach cramps and pains.

rainbowinthesky · 17/01/2010 10:19

Are you sure you don't have coeliac disease?

Coldhands · 17/01/2010 19:21

Thanks for the replies. I did wonder if the endo was back (I did have laser surgery for it a few years ago).

Rainbow, I had a blood test for that and my doc didn't say anything so I think it was ok. I thought it may have been as the symptoms seemed to fit but obviously not.

OP posts:
Coldhands · 17/01/2010 19:23

Attila, I also had a very slight hormone imbalance years ago, thats when I had a laparoscopy to see if I had PCOS but they found the endo instead.

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