Low iron ..... depression

[scotscubagirl]

Currently 16+6. Early on in my pregnancy I had a craving for meat when I was actually a vegetarian. I thought it might have been low iron so started eating meat again to see if it helped. I have hypothyroidism and had my consultants appointment around 8w. I asked if they could check my iron as I felt very fatigued even though my thyroid levels were ok.

They tested and came back low. They stated this in a letter to my GP but said I would need further testing as they didn't do a full blood count. GP did not ask for further tests.

At my booking appointment I mentioned the above and they said they would be testing anyway. And if I heard nothing, then it was good news.

Fast forward to my 16 week appointment (I'm consultant let now because of thyroid) and they told me I do have low iron but they need to do more tests as it's something to do with the shape of the cells as my full blood count is fine. They have given me iron tablets.

I am so angry about this. I have PTSD so I am more prone to my mood dipping. My mood since early on in this pregnancy has been low. Although I've not had morning sickness or anything else major, I've struggled with my mood and fatigue. I did some research and low iron is linked to depression. My low mood has caused problems for me with work/friend relationships which I am now repairing.

Why wasn't I contacted after my booking in app about my low iron level? I feel so much time has been wasted that I could have been on medication and I wouldn't be feeling this low. Before finding out I was pregnant my PTSD was well managed.

On another note, the practice nurse at my GP messes up my thyroid check in December. I was asked to get it checked after being on a new dosage (normal to increase during pregnancy) after 6 weeks to make sure I was on right dose. Again, never heard anything so thought everything was fine. Found out at the 16w appointment that the nurse ticked for a kidney function test instead of thyroid levels!

I know I should have probably chased about getting my iron level checked with GP but I'm still so angry. Will bring it up at my next midwife appointment in 6 weeks.

Just has to rant!

If your blood count is fine, this may have been why it didn’t ping up to the GP. That’s predominantly what they look at. I’ve not heard about the shape of the cells causing anaemia, it sounds more unusual & perhaps the GP didn’t know to look?

Sorry you feel rubbish, it probably would have been worth a trip to the GP to chase. I took myself off around 12 weeks as I felt dreadful & my count was really low. I suffer with Hyperemesis so I hadn’t eaten anything significant for weeks! At booking, my levels were borderline but they ordered another test & they’d dropped dramatically in just 4 weeks!

While annoying, nothing to be done now other than take the pills & hope you feel better! Just a note though - iron can be hard to get back up in pregnancy. I take the highest dose I can in tablet form and I have now for months. My levels have only climbed a little bit! I was surprised by my last blood test! Doc said baby is leeching it all 😐 I think if you are struggling with your mood, speak to your GP as even if you respond well to iron tablets, it can still take a good few weeks to really pick back up and it may not be the miracle cure you expect.

Hope you are ok!

My blood cells are badly shaped because I (might) have thalassemia. The blood count is good, however that trait has always caused me iron deficiency.

It gets picked up at my every blood test, so wondering if they mentioned at all thalassemia to you? (Dont worry if they did, it's nothing major unless your partner has it too).

I would say go to your gp and insist for more tests after the results you got.