Anaemia in pregnancy

[willisurvive3under2]

I’m 15 weeks pregnant with twins and recently got my bloods back. See pic!

I believe the low HCT reading means I’m anaemic. Do I just take some iron tablets? Is is ok to take them on top of Pregnacare?

I’m not seeing my midwife for another 3 weeks, not sure what to do in the meantime. I’m very very sick, so struggling to help the situation with diet as nothing stays down.

Never had this with my first, so not really sure how to tackle it. Thank you!

I’ve never ever had the results of a blood test come back directly to me. I would contact my midwife now and ask for an urgent appointment to discuss the results as you think you might require medication but you want to be sure before taking anything. In the meantime, you can always try to boost your levels through diet- that’s what worked for me in my first pregnancy and I didn’t need the tablets in the end.

I agree it’s odd that they send them back to you, it prompts endless googling! I will text my midwife I think. Would love to eat steak etc but I vomit so much and very little is actually staying down.

It’s tough when you can’t keep much down. I’m vegetarian so no steak for me- green leafy veg, dried apricots, plenty of beans/lentils and dark chocolate (for some reason I could manage plenty of that!)

I really couldn’t eat much of anything till around your stage in my pregnancy though and it still somehow worked in improving my levels once my appetite did return.

Even if you do get the tablets, it’s worth trying to work on an iron-rich diet too as you’re less likely to experience side effects such as constipation than with the tablets. Make sure you get plenty of vitamin c too because your body needs it to absorb iron- just a glass of orange juice will help if you can manage it.

I realise it’s easier said than done though when you’re not up for eating anything never mind cooking up a delicious spinach soup 😂 -
and that’s not even considering the fact you have two of the pesky little monkeys in there draining your body of any nutrients!

I don't get any blood results sent to me. My midwife phones me or tells me at appointments. Phone her

WHAT?!

Your Haemoglobin is 126!!!!! Anything less than 120 is anaemic. Yours is over.

My haemoglobin is currently 85. That's anaemic..badly.

I should be so lucky with a hb of 126.

Thank you.

@NamasteNiki It’s the other value that seems to indicate anaemia - the one with an L next to it. I know Hb is another indicator - I have no medical background or experience, hence why I’ve been googling and I’m on here!

It won't hurt to take something anyway just to relieve your anxiety... I was prescribed iron tablets but remembered how constipated they made me with DS so have been taking spatone sachets instead. Boots have got a 3 for 2 on all vits at the moment and 3 boxes will last a few months. I have posted elsewhere I was constantly dizzy and close to passing out (during lectures at work!) before I started on them so I think they really do help.

Have you actually had symptoms of anaemia OP?

I’m very tired and have had a few dizzy spells, but it could just be down to carrying twins and not eating very much...

Oh wow OP! No wonder you're struggling! I'd honestly recommend spatone and also vitamin d - I wasn't told about this until quite late on in the pregnancy, I think it's a new thing since I had my last DC.

Thank you @LittleWingSoul. I saw Spatone sachets in my Bounty pack last year, I will get some. I’m sure I’m not a severe case, just want to avoid it getting worse.

You're not anaemic, your haemoglobin is normal and your HCT is only 0.002 under the normal range. By all means eat some foods that are high in iron to keep things at a good level but this is not something to worry about or something that would be making you feel unwell.

If you were needing extra iron you’d be given 200mg x2 or 3 a day. Off the shelf iron tablets in the vitamin aisle have only 14mg so you’d be fine to take a little extra on top of pregnacare. They can upset your tummy though so spatone is good.

You must not have milk or other calcium containing food / caffeine for about an hour before taking iron and it’s best taken with orange juice, as are any other iron rich foods. Spatone seems a good option for you.

Dizziness is common, usually low bp.

Also, I’d talk to gp not mw about this if you’re worried.