Anaemia?

[BabyB19]

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant and feeling absolutely done in! I have my glucose test tomorrow and am going to ask them to check my iron levels as I have developed a white ring around my mouth, like the skin is really pale and the pigment in my lips is disappearing. Google says pale lips can indicate anaemia but I can't find much about the white ring around my mouth. Has anyone experienced this? I'm taking a pregnancy multivitamin daily and I eat a good varied diet.

Firstly congratulations! I had the same and was taking a multivitamin too! I suggest getting your iron levels taken as its around this time that they start depleting. Of course make sure you're eating plenty or iron and vitamin C - I ended up with prescription strength iron which sorted it out - so dont worry too much it can be fixed, and any undelying causes can be treated, but I believe its quite common and normal this far on x

Thanks for the reply @Cantgetausername87 did you have the white ring around the mouth thing as well? I'm getting them checked tomorrow so hopefully won't be long before they can give me something for it. I feel wrecked I wasn't like this with my first. I'm almost hoping I am anaemic tbh just so I can fix it and feel better!

Yeah I had exactly the same and felt just like you- i remember feeling destroyed! Fingers crossed, im fairly sure thats what it is x

Thank you @Cantgetausername87 I thought so but good to know I'm in the right track. Definitely going to get my iron checked tomorrow the thirst is awful today it feels like it's suddenly got a lot worse the last few days. Did you feel better once you started on the iron? Xx

Dairy, berries, tea and coffee and a few other foods can all impair the absorption of iron, so avoid these an hour or two before and after you take your vitamins.

I was anaemic and took 2 Spatone sachets per day on an empty stomach, then I avoided eating or drinking anything for half an hour and completely avoided dairy and tea, etc for a few hours after.

The prescribed tablets made me horribly constipated, but I never had any problems with Spatone. It brought my iron levels from low to bang on in the middle of the range that they should be in 12 weeks, but I felt better in myself - more energetic etc after a week or two

Thanks so much for the advice @Pitstop1986 did you have to request the spatone or did they offer it? I've had my bloods this morning so hopefully they come back quick! Xx

@BabyB19 how did you get on? Are your bloods back? X

Not yet @Cantgetausername87 I have to call the doctors tomorrow. Thanks for checking in, I will give you an update tomorrow when I speak to them x

I had to buy the Spatone. It's £8 per box of 28 on Amazon, so works out £16 per month if you take 2 per day. I think it works out a similar price if you buy it from boots at the 3 for the price of 2 offer.

Expensive, but so worth it!

@Cantgetausername87 so I've had a message from my go surgery saying my tests were satisfactory! So now im at a loss as to what the hell is wrong with me. Going to speak to my midwife at my appt on Monday and see what she can add to it x