Very low iron count

[ItCameFromOuterSpace]

I had a very low iron count at 16 weeks, so MWs put me on iron tablets X 3 a day, then at 28 weeks my iron count was even lower.

The MWs ar scaring me saying I could lose a lot of blood in labour and haemorrhage etc, so need to improv my diet as they can't give me more iron tablets.

I have thallessmia minor so they have said that's why it's made my iron count even lower, but I already eat a lot of red meat and leafy greens.

What else can I do? Am getting upset and worried. Am currently 32 weeks.

Should also add my blood pressure is always very low as well.

Are you taking the tablets on an empty stomach? I've heard they are absorbed better that way. Hth. :)

How low?

The next step would generally be an iron transfusion (injection).

What about trying Spatone? Its liquid iron, safe in pregnancy &easier for your body to absorb. I used it during my last pregnancy. You can buy it in supermarkets & health food shops.

I think your midwife needs to be looking at why your obviously not absorbing the iron after all this time. You must feel exhausted.

Go back to the midwife or go back& see your GP. This really needs to be sorted sooner, rather then later.

ItCameFromOuterSpace - totally sympathise as have had similar problems pre-pregnancy. Is it your blood iron that is low (anaemia) or your levels of stored iron (ferritin) or both? I've had ferritin deficiency in the past and took Ferrograd C - which proved to be really effective. Also, Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron so make sure you get some fruit or fresh juice every day....

Thank you all for the advise, better than I've got fom MWs and GP to b honest.

vinegar I can't remember exactly, it was 9.4 and thn dropped to lower than that.

mls I must confess I don't always take them on an empty spinach, an a lot of days I only manage to remember to take 2.

My mother has implied I have bought this on myself as I have been selfish in having to pregnancies close together (dd is currently 19 months).

notspring it's anaemia I've been told I have.

It's worth seeing if there are any underlying reasons - my anaemia was linked to coeliac disease, for example.

What are your levels?

If iron tablets didn't sort it out then diet won't.

Has the midwife talked about a iron transfusion? If not ask her, but sooner rather than later as the transfusion ought to be done a minimum of two weeks before giving birth for there to be any benefit.

viva I can't remember exactly but it was 9.4 and dropped lower than that.

Gp is suggesting I keep taking the three tablets but improve my diet also.

What does you iron count need to be before they do a transfusion? Really want to avoid this.

When I was anaemic I got told not to take my tablets with tea or orange, hope they sort your levels soon. Xx

My ferritin count is 5 and they're looking at transfusing me, although I'm not pregnant - I think if I was, they'd definitely have done so at this stage.

If your count is dropping while on supplements, that does point to it being something other than 'generalised' anaemia, I would say.

Iron should not be taken with a urging containing milk as the calcium will affect the absorption. Vitamin C however, helps absorption so taking iron with orange juice will help. Spatone is good as is Floridix. Transfusion would be a last resort. It is unlikely that this would be considered unless your Hb drops below 8g/dl

Urging??? That'll be anything! Damned autocorrect!!

Spatone in a glass of orange juice should help. I am severely anaemic and the only time I have got a reading approaching borderline acceptable is when I have taken 6 weeks of two satchets of Spatone a day in a glass of orange juice.

Itcamefrom In my NHS Trust a transfusion would not be indicated unless HB was 80 (8.0) or under unless there were other indications. Your local Trust may differ.

Have you asked for some more information on your Thalassaemia trait? Have you seen a Consultant or have they go any advice from the Haematology department or Haematology Consultant about the implications? I am not an expert but I would ask about this at our next appointment.

your next appointment!

I got spatone on prescription when I was pregnant. 3 sachets a day. My iron count was 9.0 and went up to over 11.

I would ask to see a specialist as well. If your iron level doesn't respond it could be that you need more advice / treatment. It turned out I have pernicious anemia which wasn't diagnosed until I was about 36 weeks pregnant.

I'd def ask about an infusion as sounds as tho would be very beneficial for u. Midwife needs to be keeping u informed of the situation so that u know exactly what's going on and any complications that can happen.

Anemia runs in my family and after a hard birth I developed it too and had to go on iron, my advice for that is do not drink tea for at least half an before or after ur iron tablet as it prevents absorption, also don't drink tea close to meals as it will lower iron absorption from the foods ur eating

*half an hour

Another here who recommends Spatone.

I always have low blood pressure and had a low iron count at the end of my second pregnancy. I was booked in for a home birth and was told that unless I could increase it I would have to give birth in hospital. I can't remember what it was exactly but it was 7.something.

I started taking Spatone 4 times a day with orange juice and it did the trick. It's definitely worth a try

Iron tablets are crap! Feroglobin is great. It's a high strength liquid iron syrup with vitamin b and c too. Can get it from any health food store or chemists.

I suffer really bad anaemia with all my preg. I have to have Iv iron every time with my 1st dc it didn't matter what I took I couldn't get my iron up and they give me iv too late to make any realdifference. I had 2 units of blood but that really wasn't that big a deal.
My advice is avoid dairy at least an hour b4 taking any iron supplement and drink oj or other fruit juice high in vitamin c as it naturally helps it absorb.
Don't panic over what the mw has said its scare mongering and although there may be a higher risk of blood loss hospitals are prepared for that eventually that's one of the reasons they find out your blood group. Rest as much as possible because u will get tired quicker. Take care xx