Iron Levels

[offside]

Hi mnners

I'm 29+3 and had my blood test results back today. Midwife said they are at 108 which is "ok for this stage of pregnancy" but now I've got home I'm wishing I'd have asked her to elaborate.

Does anyone know if my levels are high/low/normal? From what I've read they seem to be on the low side?

Thanks

I had exactly the same results and comment from my midwife at my last appointment (38 weeks). I didn't get any further clarification either so am interested to see any replies.

I do know it is on the low side though.

I had a blood test last week and the practice nurse rang to say that normal values were 15-300 and that mine was 14! The doctor had said it was a 'little on the low side' and is prescribing iron tablets but at no point was there any great concern. Am now having a huge panic reading your posts!

When I was pregnant with DD2 I was asked if I was taking iron or vitamins with iron. My iron levels were 14. I was told once it reached 15 I would have to be treated for excess iron.

I don't know if they have changed how they measure iron, I know that blood sugar measurements have changed.

hi I'm 32 weeks and recently had results back for 101.5 with a recommendation I up my iron intake. I got a special letter about it. They told me the cut off point for 'low' and I can't remember exactly what it is but I think 105 in which case at 108 you are not too low.

If you take iron tablets, take them with orange juice as it improves absorption.

Dried apricots are good. So is a glass of red wine (a cousin who is vegetarian was seriously anaemic while pregnant was told to drink a glass every day!)

Are they measuring iron or haemoglobin? Normal haemoglobin levels for women are about 11-14, or 110-140 depending on the units you use. It is normal to be anaemic in pregnancy (have lower levels). This is because you retain water in your blood so the red cells (that carry the haemoglobin) are more dilute (think adding more water to a standard glass of squash rather than putting less squash in in the first place). Obviously if they get too low it has potential problems for feeling rubbish (tired and short of breath) in pregnancy and being more likely to need transfusion if you bleed in labour. Which is why they keep an eye.
Over 10 (or 100) is fine really - just up the iron supplements/foods. Less than that probably warrants more attention. Over 11 (or 110) is fine.
Too high and your blood gets too thick and harder to pump around. But that's unlikely in pregnancy!

I wish mine were that high. At the lowest mine has gone down to 89 and currently hovering around the late 90's. I'm on 3 iron tablets a day. At 108 with a singleton, which I'm guessing you're having, your levels are fine and easily managed with a pregnancy vitamin supplement or even diet. In previous pregnancies I wasleft to ccontrol it myself at 108.

My haemoglobin level was 4, when my bloods were done in preparation for my planned CS. I had to have an emergency blood transfusion right away, and then another one after DC3 was delivered a couple of days later (my bloods etc were done on the Friday, my CS was scheduled for the Monday. I stayed in the hospital from the Friday to the Sunday, came home for 24 hours then went back to have Dc3). It was absolutely fine, though. If your levels are too low they will tell you and they will do something and you will be fine.