Just found out I'm Anemic...

fedupnurse · May 13, 2002

Sounds like you need a second opinion! If your doc is telling you to do what you already are doing, I would think a prudent doc would want to investigate why you are anemic. A lot would depend on your diet and such as to why you are iron deficient. What kind of bowel problems are you having? Are you a vegetarian? Do you have bleeding/bruising problems? I would strongly suggest you get a second opinion and possibly further blood work. I would if I were in your shoes!

Best of luck to you.

CEN35 · May 14, 2002

kristi,

it is really hard to say on the info given?

a) what's you h&h?

1)mcv?

b) what is your wbc?

1)what's the diff? (i.e. neutraphils and lymphocytes)

c) chemistries......more importantly the bun and creatinine.

d) ferratin level (which is different from iron (i.e. fe+)

e) possibly a tibc?

put them all together you will be more likely to come up with an answer, rather than just one or two tests.

me :)

MPHkatie · May 14, 2002

This is a much more accurate idea of your use and levels, your doc should be ordering one. I went into my student health center when I was absoloutely exhausted and found that all my levels were way low, but the ferritin clinched it.

Iron pills are best absorbed when taken without milk products and with something like Orange Juice. (the milk/dairy blocks absorbtion, so if you are taking it in the am with cereal and milk, you're probably not getting your iron.) I had to change my entire diet, and I had to change the type of iron supplement to one that was easily absorbed, now I feel great. They didn't figure out the cuase, but I suspect it was my extremely picky eating habits that caused it.