Hb levels - does this mean anaemia?

[PenguinTuxedo]

I am needle phobic (doesn't mix with pregnancy I know!) and I'm 14 weeks pregnant. I had my bloods done for the first time in the pregnancy, last Friday at 13 weeks.

I have spoken to a Dr today (not mine), and they've said my HB levels at 11.4, and I therefore need another blood test to see if I need iron tablets.

From what I've read online, 11.5 HB seems to be the norm, so is 0.1 really such a big difference? I just don't want to undergo another blood test, especially if unnecessary, and given my last one was only a week ago. Also, at 11.4, it doesn't seem that low to me, so I doubt I would even consent to taking iron tablets anyway (as they make me feel so unwell).

I guess my question is, at 11.4 I am just borderline anaemic? Or would this be classed as anaemia if I was to have another blood test and the result came back the same?

Do you feel overly tired? 11.4 isn't terribly low, and I think 10 is the usual threshold for treatment.

Why not talk to your own Dr next week and hold off on the second test - I feel just the same way about needles and avoid blood tests if at all possible!

In my last pg I was tested constantly for anemia. ..they couldnt decide if I was or not...my thoughts were if I need all the ironmy body can get why are you taking more ftom me with all this bblood? ! Seriously started considering the possibility my doc was a vampire. ...dr. acula!

I am tired clobbered, but pregnancy, lack of caffine and having M.E could be contributing to that too, so it's hard to say for sure. My nails and eyelids look normal though...

Lol fatty (feel bad calling you that!) your response made me laugh. It's very true, if we need the blood, why take so much from us?! I am just wondering if it's just a throw away response "oh let's take some more blood", it seems to be the default answer to any problem really.

If it was really low, of course I would have the tests and take any tablets etc, but I just don't know if it's unnecessary. Guess I'll have to wait until I can see a Dr on the 10th!

Are you raking a pg multivitamin? They contain iron so should keep your levels up if you are only a tiny bit under then you should be alright! Ive been advised to take them as I was anemic with both of my dcs and i am a fatty! Lol. Apparently I need vit d......dont really understand that as my doc said u would think I get more with eating more haha! Even my doc dont understand it and told ne to ask again at my next mw appointment. ....on the 10th!

Rcog guidelines for iron levels in pregnancy is minimum of 10.5. You're above that.

Sorry for thread hijack....

My iron level was 11 at booking in bloods and I've been taking iron for just over a month now and had a blood test this week (for palpitations) and they checked my iron again and apparently it is now 33.

This seems like a massive jump to me and Dr Google says normal range is 11-15?! Dr told me to keep taking the iron as well. Does this sound right? Can't actually find any 'cut off's' for high levels.

IME that's the lower end of normal. What was your haematocrit, red blood cell count and distribution width? They should go on to check your Ferritin which sadly may require another test (stupid I know because they have enough blood, you would think!) My levels of the above were a bit low but my Ferritin was significantly lower than recommended and that's what triggered the iron tablets.

As pp have said 10 is the cut off for iron supplements unless its a twin pregnancy then the cut off is 12.

I would just take a pregnancy multivit and wait for your bloods to be redone when they are due, can't remember when that is with a singleton 26-28 wks ish????

Gently, maybe that was your ferritin (iron stores) level. I don't think it's possible to have a HB of 33.

You can get iron from foods - doesn't have to be a tablet. Boost your intake of iron rich foods and drink orange juice to aid absorption.

Anaemia means low haemoglobin levels. It can be caused by multiple factors, one of which is iron deficiency. There are a number of parameters needed to test iron levels including iron, transferrin and ferritin.
It is also possible to have low iron levels and not be severely anaemic.
In your situation I would suggest that you need to find out if low iron is the reason for your anaemia and the if so how low.

*then

Thanks viva. I wish I'd asked about normal ranges. Seeing midwife on Wednesday so will ask her to check figures. Will stop googling 'iron overdose' now!

my levels are just over eleven and I have had lots of blood tests, never changes, I just take my pregnancy vitamins and I also bought spatone which is a lighter iron supplement and is less harsh on the stomach. I take it occasionally

11.4 is borderline as you say. I think the reason for starting iron supplements would be that your Hb tends to drop in pregnancy (due to dilution and increased blood volume and baby stealing the iron!) so if they start you on iron now it will be trying to prevent you becoming more anaemic - if you see what I mean!