Anemia and pregnancy

[AHBM2022]

Hey guys, anyone else diagnosed anaemic and pregnant? I was put on 5mg of folic acid and 200mg of ferrous sulfate a few months before I became pregnant due to low iron and weakness. I’m now 20 weeks pregnant, and still taking this amount. I contacted my doctor and asked if I should stop, or if the dose should be raised higher as I know the baby takes a lot of folic acid. He has been incredibly unhelpful, and booked me in for bloods in a few weeks time. He won’t disclose if I should continue the medication, or raise it till after I have my bloods taken again.

The annoying thing is, in this pregnancy I’ve had my bloods taken non stop and it’s beginning to get frustrating. They seem to want to take my bloods over everything, and every time it shows the same results. Nothing ever changes, nothing changed 2 weeks ago when I had my bloods taken! And now I have to wait a few weeks to know if I should stop the meds, or if I haven’t even been taking enough.

Rant over, anyone else also anaemic and pregnant? How much folic acid do you take?

Hi, what are your latest iron and folate levels, are they now in optimum range? That could give you a clue but ultimately will have to wait for medical advice which I know is frustrating. Can you try and get appointment sooner or speak to midwife team?

Have a look at the iron protocol UK on Facebook and pregnancy specific page too. Just FYI what they class are 'suitable' ranges in the UK is incredibly low and you will be told it's normal even if it's not great and you could potentially be symptomatic. E.g. ferritin (iron stores) are classed as normal from 11-360 however the NICE guidelines state anything below 30 is iron deficiency and my GP told me really it should be at least 50 for optimal hair re growth etc.

If you're having your bloods done so often then do you know anything about your iron and folic acid levels recently? Or what have they been checking for? Pregnancy brings up a lot of things here and there so unfortunately bloods are part of the journey. Has GP been doing them or hospital/Midwife? I mean I agree GP can't comment without seeing levels otherwise it's just a guess (unless they've been doing them all along in which case this doesn't make sense). With a history of anaemia prior to pregnancy then I can't see the harm in continuing, unless your bloods come back through the roof. Wait and see what the most recent ones say.

I’ve been having bloods done a lot from potential UTIS, to normal pregnancy bloods, to weakness/anaemic signs. I’ve been told my iron is low, but never actually given a number or clarified anymore than that. The first time I was diagnosed, I got a text from my GP surgery basically saying, “you’re anaemic, iron is low. I have prescribed you so and so etc”. My doctors is religiously vague and difficult, I am trying to change doctors. Since that diagnoses, every blood test I’ve had they’ve just sortve re iterated that I have low iron and need to make sure I keep remembering to take the meds. I’m so frustrated with giving bloods because it never seems to tell them anything. I’ve had constant UTI symptoms for 3 years, and have given constant blood tests. Every time I call up and complain I can’t take it anymore, they tell me to come in and give blood and a urine sample. Then, when the results come back, they say “there’s nothing unusual in it, or any sign or a UTI, goodbye.” rinse and repeat.

@AHBM2022 ugh sounds very frustrating indeed. I think changing doctors could be a good option if you can find a new one. I can't say much about the UTI part but would imagine referring you on for further testing or specialist input is necessary at this stage if all they've done is repeat bloods and urine. I would specifically ask direct questions about what is being done next.
With your iron, it can be more complicated than just low iron = taking an iron supplement = fixed. Can you request Iron Studies to have a deeper look into what type of iron deficiency you have? For example you might be B12 deficient or something, in which case it would need to be corrected in order for your iron to improveme. That's only one example.
It can be tough to advocate for yourself but make an appointment to discuss, ask direct questions, ask for the numbers to be explained for you, and ask what the treatment plan and goal is because you want your deficiency corrected well before the birth.