Low haemoglobin, normal iron levels.

[LaddieCthulu]

Hi all, I was told I was anaemic at 12 weeks and after several weeks (of my midwife ghosting me and my gp saying my midwife should have sent through my test results but didn't) was eventually prescribed iron supplements. I took these twice a day as prescribed for maybe 4-6 weeks, they made me feel awful. I asked for another blood test at 23+5 and it has come back saying that my iron isn't low but my haemoglobin is.

I have since discovered that's exactly what it said before.

I understand from the internet this is not uncommon in pregnancy.... But I'm so tired all the time and its really impacting on my work and studies. I am a bit concerned about hownit could affect the baby. I feel pretty fed up about it. I have a gp appt tomorrow, mumsnet is not replacing healthcare, but am interested to know if other mums have had similar problems and have any advice.

Thank you!

Hi OP,

Great that you're getting help directly from your GP - definitely the best route to go! Hopefully they help you out and you feel better with the right supplement...

Do you know if all of your other blood test indicators are within range? Is it just the hemoglobin that's low? Have you had a complete blood count test done? Did everything else come up normal?

Thanks for your reply, I don't have a copy of the most recent results yet, I will ask the GP tomorrow. I know they had tested kidney, liver and thyroid and that came back clear... (Not what you asked!). The FBC they did at 12 weeks WCC, platelets and MSV in range, but didn't detail anything else except low hg.

I will update tomorrow :)

GP said ferritin was just in the normal range which could be a false high due to some type of proteins made in pregnancy (?!) And so he said the only option was for me to takeas much iron as possible through supplements ... I was taking 400 a day and hg is lower than it was at 12 weeks. MSV in normal range.

400 a day was making me feel so ill... Cannot imagine being well enough to get to work if I'm taking 6/800. Eek.

The GP I spoke to last week and requested the blood test from recommended spatones twice a day instead of supplements... She said she couldn't tolerate iron supplements during this pregnancy and spatones helped. So ibbought a box.

From a preliminary search of the internet there is no evidence base for spatones....