Need some advice please on iron/energy levels

[ButteryJam]

Hi,

Wanted some advice really. I've been feeling really shattered for the past two weeks, and this week had to take off work too as just can't concentrate at all, get dizzy spells etc.

My iron results came back as 10 which is low, but not very low. I have a history of chronic anemia and as I can't tolerate oral iron I've had an iron infusion before.

Now the Dr has seen my results and so has a consultant at the hospital, and both are telling me to sit tight for 2-4 weeks, have red meat everyday (which tbh I'm not sure how I'm going to manage!). I was really hoping to get referred for an iron infusion much earlier so that I can get back to 'normal' work wise.

I suppose my question is, is it worthwhile going private for it? Is this something I should discuss with my Dr?

Btw I have tried all the different forms of oral iron - spatone, floradix etc etc but my body cannot tolerate them at all and it results in huge digestive problems.

Is there iron in your pregnancy supplement?

Not quite responding to your question, but isn't liver really, really high in iron?

lexib Liver is not recommended in pregnancy as it is so high in vitamin A which can cause defects in unborn babies. Best to get iron from steak, leafy veg etc and try and drink plenty of pure orange juice to help absorption. Also if taking a supplement dont take with milk as dairy can stop you absorbing the iron and vits

oh im taking feroglobin which seems to be helping with my general tiredness x

Thank you ladies

I can't take supplements either so the only iron I'm getting is from my diet.

Hi,

Just wanted to bump this in desperation to see if anyone can advise. Thanks!

Eat lots of green leafy vegetables, cabbage, spinach etc. They are high in iron. My iron level dropped to 9 with my twin pregnancy and I was prescribed Ferrous Fumarate which worked in keeping my iron level constant.

The red meat advice is the best, to be honest, with lots of vitamin C at the same time. Green leafy veg do have lots of iron but it has very low bioavailability (it's hard for your body to extract).