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Original poster

Iron Deficiency, when will I feel better?

22 replies

Laughingallday · 24/11/2023 05:51

I recently wrote on another thread about suffering severe anxiety and panic attacked that came out of nowhere. I have discovered I am iron deficient with low iron stores. I have been taking strong iron supplements twice a day for 10 days now, twice a day. The panic attacks have stopped unbelievably, so now I'm thinking the two could be related?

I was hyperventilating which I'm guessing was from shortness of breath which was giving me the panic dreaded feeling, could this be it? Anyone have experience with this?

I'm feeling better than last week but still a bit anxious and very tired. I'm napping during the day and not going to work as I can't focus for long. This is not like me, I'm normally a very active busy person. Anyone been in the situation? How long did it take to feel better?

OP posts:
Delphinium20 · 24/11/2023 06:05

Ive had anemia and when you get to that stage of hyperventilating, it can put you at risk of a heart attack. I needed one blood transfusion and several iron infusions over 1 year to bring back my levels. Please, please talk to your GP about this. Supplements weren't enough for me when I got to this stage.

Delphinium20 · 24/11/2023 06:09

Also, it's not panic attacks - it's your body not having enough hemoglobin to get oxygen through your blood stream. It's actually dangerous to overexert or exercise at this stage.

Original poster
Laughingallday · 24/11/2023 06:11

I have stopped hyperventilating now after taking the iron tablets for 10 days just feeling tired, do you still think I need to take further action? Thanks

OP posts:
Delphinium20 · 24/11/2023 06:17

Absolutely you should do more. It takes a long time to build back the lost iron. Anemia is sneaky because as your iron gradually drops you don't notice, and you forget your sense of normal energy levels. It leaves you tired but you don't feel sick.

I have no other health issues and it still took a very long time to build up my iron stores.

Original poster
Laughingallday · 24/11/2023 06:41

I've spoken to the nurse on the phone. She has just done an assessment on the phone and said as the hyperventilating and panicking had stopped and I've been on quite a strong dose of iron for 10 days now she is happy for me to continue. I will see the GP next week. I don't think my haemoglobin was too bad but not much iron at all. They believe I'm suffering anxiety but may be set off by the iron deficiency. I just feel so rubbish .

OP posts:
Original poster
Laughingallday · 24/11/2023 07:40

Very helpful thank you. It says anxiety and panic are symptoms too, oh my, I think I'll hold off the ADs until I get my iron levels back up, it may resolve it. I hope.

OP posts:
Original poster
Laughingallday · 24/11/2023 07:41

Thank you @helleborus

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 24/11/2023 11:09

Ask about an iron infusion to get your iron stores immediately back into normal range. Supplements don't always help, so if time ticks on and progress is slow - there are other options.

wonderwomaninaus · 27/12/2023 07:50

Hello again. So it's been over a month since I posted on this thread. I started to take iron tablets whilst waiting for my gp appointment and the hyperventilating and panic did stop after about 10 days so guessing i was suffering from anaemia.

After 28 days of 2 x strong iron pills every day, I finally got my bloods done (GP had been away and took a while to get an appointment) my hb is in the normal range 134 and ferritin is 11. My GP said a month ago they probably would have looked much worse than this! She has advised I have severe iron deficiency and thinks ideally I should be sat in the 70 plus range for ferritin .

I have an iron infusion books in for tomorrow but I'm a little scared to be honest! My anxiety has improved but still feel quite on edge and I'm so tired it's a struggle to do much. I've been napping during the day and i never have, even after my babies not sleeping all night, I didn't feel this tired it need to sleep during the day. Just seeing what other's experiences are of iron infusions and did it make you feel better? Thanks in advance.

BlackSwan · 28/12/2023 05:40

Good luck with the infusion today! Yes definitely feel better with the infusion. I’ll never let my ferritin get low again. The procedure is incredibly quick - some waiting around after but it’s a piece of cake.

MrsNandortheRelentless · 28/12/2023 05:44

Also, just a thought but why are your levels so low?
Is there a reason?

Theblackdogagain · 28/12/2023 06:01

I found this and really interested as I've recently found out my iron levels are low and have been taking tablets for a month now. Haven't heard from the doctor about looking into why, I was diagnosed by a senior nurse at the surgery. When should I be going back to get another blood test?

Theblackdogagain · 28/12/2023 06:04

My hemoglobin was 120 and my ferritin was 15.

wonderwomaninaus · 28/12/2023 09:15

Thanks @BlackSwan, I got very anxious on arrival but they were really good and helped calm me down. The infusion went well and I'm now at home resting. Feel a bit rough but I feel like this anyway! Hoping I'll get my energy back soon x

wonderwomaninaus · 28/12/2023 09:24

@MrsNandortheRelentless, I was iron deficient during both my pregnancies, breastfed both for 18 months, and don't get enough iron from my diet. I guess I haven't addressed it soon enough and it's led to them dropping very low.

My doctor has ran a lot of blood tests, b12, thyroid, vit D etc and all came back fine. I really am putting it down to not eating very well and my pregnancies, my second child was a very large baby and she really took it out of me!

My doctor said it's very common and lots of women are iron deficient and don't know it, especially since GP's tend to check hb and if this looks ok won't check ferritin levels. Their symptoms will be put down to tiredness, mental health etc.

wonderwomaninaus · 28/12/2023 09:25

I have to get another blood test in 6 weeks time to check my Hb and ferritin levels, will report back!

wonderwomaninaus · 28/12/2023 09:28

@Theblackdogagain, do you have any symptoms at level? I feel so rough!

wonderwomaninaus · 28/12/2023 09:34

@Theblackdogagain, my gp said it might take months to get my levels up because they were so low. I'd been taking iron tablets for a month when I got the test, so they must have been lower prior to this. That's why I took the option of the infusion, she says it could take up to a year of daily tablets.

Theblackdogagain · 28/12/2023 10:17

I feel tired all the time but ive felt like this for years, have been talking to the doctor on and off about it but it took a female senior nurse to check my iron. I'm looking forward to finally feeling alive again.

starlight2kk · 28/12/2023 10:52

Interesting, I have low ferritin (5) and also low b12 and taking supplements. I wondered how long it would take to reach normal levels

wonderwomaninaus · 04/01/2024 03:27

So it's been a week since my infusion. I've had a couple of days where I've had some energy, but today I feel burnt out again, tired and nauseous. I don't want to get off the couch. Anyone's experience of how long it took to feel better after their infusion?

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