Disqualified or not?

Spencer2002 · Mar 17, 2010

I would start taking OTC iron and have your blood redrawn by your doctor and submitt the results to the recruiter.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2010

ANYONE can be anemic; it doesn't mean it's a chronic condition OR disqualifying. Heck, most of the time when I donate blood I'm turned away (and I'm active duty again, I take vitamins - and I just got turned away last week!!)

Spencer's dead on. Take iron, eat veggies or meat high in iron (fresh spinach is great) - it takes about four to six weeks to build your reserves back up, and get a redraw.

DrCOVID, DNP · Mar 17, 2010

Don't forget Vitamin C increases absorption of ferrous.

If you get desperate - figure out how to get a blood transfusion.

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2010

Thanks for the advice.. I actually got my blood drawn at work today and it's not drastically low my Hgb is 10.7 and Hct is 33.7 plus I'm just getting over my menstral (which always drops my count). i tried explaining that to her but she's saying that's not a reason. i plan on taking the iron pills and anything else that will increase my counts and recheck my results in 2 weeks... I was so hoping to get everything done and join by late this year.. When she told me that I was disqualified, I felt like she told me I can never have kids.. :crying2: .

hopeful_army_NP · Mar 17, 2010

A combo tab with Ferrsous Sulfate, Vit C and Folic acid(the rx is called "FoliTab 500") is often what I prescribed for my patients, not all pharmacies will carry it. These are all essential in increasing your counts. You may also consider adding B12. Good luck. If this is the only issue you have I don't think it should be a show stopper.

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 17, 2010

You can be anemic for a million reasons.

This is why recruiters really tick me off - they don't know everything and sometimes they act as though they do.

Tell your recruiter to re-read her regs. Without doing too much digging I found this online:

The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction (without an approved waiver) are an authenticated history of:

Anemia.

Current hereditary or acquired anemia, which has not been corrected with therapy before appointment or induction, is disqualifying. For the purposes of this regulation, anemia is defined as hemoglobin of less than 13.5 for males and less than 12 for females.

The following ICD–9 codes are used for diagnosed anemia: hereditary hemolytic anemia (282), sickle cell disease (282.6), acquired hemolytic anemia (283), aplastic anemia (284), or unspecified anemias (285).

Hemorrhagic disorders.

Current or history of coagulation defects (286) to include, but not limited to von Willebrand’s Disease (286.4), idiopathic thrombocytopenia (287) , or Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (287.0), is disqualifying.

Leukopenia. Current or history of diagnosis of any form of chronic or recurrent agranulocytosis and/or leukopenia (288.0) is disqualifying.

Derived from Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 6130.3, "Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, and Induction," and DOD Instruction 6130.4, "Criteria and Procedure Requirements for Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, or Induction in the Armed Forces."

One blood draw with a low H&H (I also wonder what your MCV is) is NOT a definitive history of anemia.

For some reason this has really burned me up; probably because I had such an idiotic recruiter and I hate hearing of people with the same problem.

Get your paws on a copy of that DOD directive (you can find it online) and take THAT to her.

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

Thanks Carolina...

She actually called me to say it's a possibility i can get it waivered if i get a letter from my doctor saying I never had anemia before. I was going to call her manager to let him know my feelings about this recruiter but it seems like she felt something was about to happen why she called today. I told her to give me 2 weeks and I will recheck my levels.. she doesn't seem to believe that whenever a woman menstrates she loses iron and her blood level goes down.. I just hate ignorant and dumb people. I pray to GOD I dont encounter too many of those when I join.. I just cant take it...

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2010

She's not a medical professional and is certainly not qualified to make such statements. BTW, my OWN H&H was slightly low (I just pulled my MEPS documents) when I had my draw and no one batted an eye.

Recruiters really tick me off.

As I said, get a copy of the reg. I don't think you require a letter from a physician and I don't think you require a waiver. What you need is an independent redraw and THEN go back to MEPS. One draw is not a diagnosis of anything and she should certainly know that.

OOooo, recruiters really annoy me sometimes.

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

Thanks Carolina

She really doesn't know anything and she's acting like she does.

I've decided to try to get a new recruiter to do my paperwork because she's really ******* me off. Plus I'm still upset that I had to pay $30 to take a cab at 4am in the morning to meet her at MEPS when everyone elses recruiter picked them up and dropped them home. I just need someone who is more reliable. I plan on checking my H&H this week at work. Will keep you all posted. Can I just get my own doctor to send them the results when they come in and not have to make a trip to MEPS again?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

BS - your recruiter is supposed to hook you up.

Here's what you do - say you'd like to have a three way convo with her, you, and her supervisor over some concerns you have. It got to that point with me - and then stuff started happening.

tee_byrd, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2010

It has gotten to the point where I really dont have much to say to her and I just want him to give me a new recruiter. I'm just tired of it all and this has really gotten me to the point where I'm wondering if it's worth it! I have no clue where to start or what to say to the supervisor. I did get his direct number from someone who work at MEPS cause he felt a way also about everything I explained to him. I feel she just dont want to work and that's fine with me.. cause i dont need her to handle my paperwork anymore... Plus I dont need to feel uncomfortable around her once I make an offical complaint against her.