It always seems like there is something to worry about. Now the problem of the week is a drop in my iron levels. In one month's time my iron went from 58 to 40 (normal range 50-170) and iron saturation went from 15 to 9 (normal is 15-50). I am hoping it is the new supplements I started a month ago 1,200 mg. of calcium and also grape seed extract.
Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.
Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.
Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.
Full Version: Worrying about change in iron levels
QUOTE (Ms. Anxiety @ Aug 22 2009, 08:56 PM) 
It always seems like there is something to worry about. Now the problem of the week is a drop in my iron levels. In one month's time my iron went from 58 to 40 (normal range 50-170) and iron saturation went from 15 to 9 (normal is 15-50). I am hoping it is the new supplements I started a month ago 1,200 mg. of calcium and also grape seed extract.
Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.
Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.
Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.
Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.
Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.
Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.
Correction: This was not a one month drop, it was two years. The year was 07 not 09, guess I'm losing my eyesight too. Can't believe I misread that. Anyway, I am not sure is these are really low levels or just moderately low. Does anyone know.
QUOTE (Ms. Anxiety @ Aug 22 2009, 07:56 PM)
It always seems like there is something to worry about. Now the problem of the week is a drop in my iron levels. In one month's time my iron went from 58 to 40 (normal range 50-170) and iron saturation went from 15 to 9 (normal is 15-50). I am hoping it is the new supplements I started a month ago 1,200 mg. of calcium and also grape seed extract.
Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.
Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.
Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.
Both can apparently interfere with iron absorption and saturation, which I was not aware of this until I did some research. I am still cycling regularly and have fairly heavy periods, but no heavier in the last month than in the previous. Up until this came to light I was not taking any iron supplement. I changed my multi-vit. back in May and the new one has no iron.
Of course I am worring about internal bleeding, but will have to wait until next week to see the Dr.
Has anyone ever experienced this? What are your thoughts.
Ms. Anxiety, I was diagnosed with severe anemia just a few months ago. Can't remember exactly what my level was. I'm thinking the dr. said something like a 6 or a 7. I was barely functioning and it took a trip to the ER to find this out. My primary care physician said I was a "little" anemic just a month before this. I had felt HORRID for a very long time! I'm surprised your dr. did not suggest a plan of action. It has taken me almost 3 months to BEGIN to feel normal again and I've been on heavy doses of iron.
A friend on PS told me that you have to have vitamin C along with iron in order for the iron to be absorbed effectively. I began doing that also and I am just now beginning to see results. I'm still not out exercising like I use to do everyday, but I'm working on it. Still resting as much as possible. Actually, I'm still scared to exert myself, the feeling was just horrid!
Before, I could easily sleep 8 or 9 hours a night, get up in the morning and 2 hours later HAVE to have another 3 hour nap............. after doing nothing. I simply was nonfunctional. The ER dr. even misdiagnosed me with Congestive Heart Failure at one point. I was extremely short of breath. A walk to the car had me huffing and puffing and ready to lay down. It was horrid!
I would go days without a shower. It just took too much effort.
I hope you feel better. If you are anemic, it will take TIME to get to where you need to be. It is not overnight, so take it easy. Give your body time to heal and don't apologize to anyone for not feeling well.
Take care and best wishes,
bev
QUOTE (TidalWaves @ Aug 23 2009, 12:37 PM)
Ms. Anxiety, I was diagnosed with severe anemia just a few months ago. Can't remember exactly what my level was. I'm thinking the dr. said something like a 6 or a 7. I was barely functioning and it took a trip to the ER to find this out. My primary care physician said I was a "little" anemic just a month before this. I had felt HORRID for a very long time! I'm surprised your dr. did not suggest a plan of action. It has taken me almost 3 months to BEGIN to feel normal again and I've been on heavy doses of iron.
A friend on PS told me that you have to have vitamin C along with iron in order for the iron to be absorbed effectively. I began doing that also and I am just now beginning to see results. I'm still not out exercising like I use to do everyday, but I'm working on it. Still resting as much as possible. Actually, I'm still scared to exert myself, the feeling was just horrid!
Before, I could easily sleep 8 or 9 hours a night, get up in the morning and 2 hours later HAVE to have another 3 hour nap............. after doing nothing. I simply was nonfunctional. The ER dr. even misdiagnosed me with Congestive Heart Failure at one point. I was extremely short of breath. A walk to the car had me huffing and puffing and ready to lay down. It was horrid!
I would go days without a shower. It just took too much effort.
I hope you feel better. If you are anemic, it will take TIME to get to where you need to be. It is not overnight, so take it easy. Give your body time to heal and don't apologize to anyone for not feeling well.
Take care and best wishes,
bev
A friend on PS told me that you have to have vitamin C along with iron in order for the iron to be absorbed effectively. I began doing that also and I am just now beginning to see results. I'm still not out exercising like I use to do everyday, but I'm working on it. Still resting as much as possible. Actually, I'm still scared to exert myself, the feeling was just horrid!
Before, I could easily sleep 8 or 9 hours a night, get up in the morning and 2 hours later HAVE to have another 3 hour nap............. after doing nothing. I simply was nonfunctional. The ER dr. even misdiagnosed me with Congestive Heart Failure at one point. I was extremely short of breath. A walk to the car had me huffing and puffing and ready to lay down. It was horrid!
I would go days without a shower. It just took too much effort.
I hope you feel better. If you are anemic, it will take TIME to get to where you need to be. It is not overnight, so take it easy. Give your body time to heal and don't apologize to anyone for not feeling well.
Take care and best wishes,
bev
Thanks for the post. It was really by accident that I found out about this, because the only thing different I noticed lately is that I could easily fall asleep if I sat down to read in the evening and when I went for a brisk walk the other day I felt rather lightheaded. The rest of my problems seemed like the regular peri stuff. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I went to the ER because I had one of my episodes with heart racing and high bp. It lasted a short time, but I began having funny twinges in my chest. So I went to ER and they could not find anything wrong..."everything normal". On the way out I asked for a copy of my blood work and noticed my RBC, hemoglobin and hemcr. were a bit low. When I saw my cardo for a follow up a week later "I" pointed it out to him and he had my iron tested. My family Dr. has only seen the RBC numbers and ordered a ferritin level. She put me on feosol, but I switched to floradix which a few people have recommended.
Today my cycle stared again, so now I wonder if I am just losing all the iron I put in. I feel a little off balance also. Is that one of the symptoms you experienced?
Aside from correcting all the obvious symptoms of low iron, did you feel any better as far as overall peri symptoms once your iron was built up? I have heard the the low iron can cause subclinical hypothyroidism which I suspect has a great deal to do with peri symptoms.
[quote name='Ms. Anxiety' date='Aug 24 2009, 03:59 PM' post='305866']
Thanks for the post. It was really by accident that I found out about this, because the only thing different I noticed lately is that I could easily fall asleep if I sat down to read in the evening and when I went for a brisk walk the other day I felt rather lightheaded. The rest of my problems seemed like the regular peri stuff. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I went to the ER because I had one of my episodes with heart racing and high bp. It lasted a short time, but I began having funny twinges in my chest. So I went to ER and they could not find anything wrong..."everything normal". On the way out I asked for a copy of my blood work and noticed my RBC, hemoglobin and hemcr. were a bit low. When I saw my cardo for a follow up a week later "I" pointed it out to him and he had my iron tested. My family Dr. has only seen the RBC numbers and ordered a ferritin level. She put me on feosol, but I switched to floradix which a few people have recommended.
Today my cycle stared again, so now I wonder if I am just losing all the iron I put in. I feel a little off balance also. Is that one of the symptoms you experienced?
Aside from correcting all the obvious symptoms of low iron, did you feel any better as far as overall peri symptoms once your iron was built up? I have heard the the low iron can cause subclinical hypothyroidism which I suspect has a great deal to do with peri symptoms.
[/
I believe I'm ok as far as peri symtoms go. I'm on an AD that helps with the anxiety, which was probably the worst peri symptom I have had. Deep depression early on, but that seemed to subside on it's own.
I experienced severe shortness of breath and the worst fatigue ever. I would get extremely lightheaded when exercising, so I have put that on hold for a bit. I'm still cautious and have not resumed my normal activities yet. The good thing is that I don't feel as though I have to lay down ALL THE TIME. However, I'm still waiting for my "get up and go" to get up and come back.
Take it easy and don't push it is the only thing I know to tell you. I never knew anemia could be so debilitating.
Take care,
bev
Thanks for the post. It was really by accident that I found out about this, because the only thing different I noticed lately is that I could easily fall asleep if I sat down to read in the evening and when I went for a brisk walk the other day I felt rather lightheaded. The rest of my problems seemed like the regular peri stuff. Anyway, a couple of weeks ago I went to the ER because I had one of my episodes with heart racing and high bp. It lasted a short time, but I began having funny twinges in my chest. So I went to ER and they could not find anything wrong..."everything normal". On the way out I asked for a copy of my blood work and noticed my RBC, hemoglobin and hemcr. were a bit low. When I saw my cardo for a follow up a week later "I" pointed it out to him and he had my iron tested. My family Dr. has only seen the RBC numbers and ordered a ferritin level. She put me on feosol, but I switched to floradix which a few people have recommended.
Today my cycle stared again, so now I wonder if I am just losing all the iron I put in. I feel a little off balance also. Is that one of the symptoms you experienced?
Aside from correcting all the obvious symptoms of low iron, did you feel any better as far as overall peri symptoms once your iron was built up? I have heard the the low iron can cause subclinical hypothyroidism which I suspect has a great deal to do with peri symptoms.
[/
I believe I'm ok as far as peri symtoms go. I'm on an AD that helps with the anxiety, which was probably the worst peri symptom I have had. Deep depression early on, but that seemed to subside on it's own.
I experienced severe shortness of breath and the worst fatigue ever. I would get extremely lightheaded when exercising, so I have put that on hold for a bit. I'm still cautious and have not resumed my normal activities yet. The good thing is that I don't feel as though I have to lay down ALL THE TIME. However, I'm still waiting for my "get up and go" to get up and come back.
Take it easy and don't push it is the only thing I know to tell you. I never knew anemia could be so debilitating.
Take care,
bev
I believe I'm ok as far as peri symtoms go. I'm on an AD that helps with the anxiety, which was probably the worst peri symptom Ive had. Deep depression early on, but that seemed to subside on it's own.
I experienced severe shortness of breath and the worst fatigue ever. I would get extremely lightheaded when exercising, so I have put that on hold for a bit. I'm still cautious and have not resumed my normal activities yet. The good thing is that I don't feel as though I have to lay down ALL THE TIME. However, I'm still waiting for my "get up and go" to get up and come back.
Take it easy and don't push it is the only thing I know to tell you. I never knew anemia could be so debilitating.
Take care,
bev
I experienced severe shortness of breath and the worst fatigue ever. I would get extremely lightheaded when exercising, so I have put that on hold for a bit. I'm still cautious and have not resumed my normal activities yet. The good thing is that I don't feel as though I have to lay down ALL THE TIME. However, I'm still waiting for my "get up and go" to get up and come back.
Take it easy and don't push it is the only thing I know to tell you. I never knew anemia could be so debilitating.
Take care,
bev
I can relate to all of these posts and all I can say is keep taking the iron alongside orange juice and definitely no grape juice or grapefruit.
My iron level dropped to 8 after years of heavy periods.I had the Mirena and took iron, things calmed down,my iron went up to 13 and I felt like a spring lamb!
Unfortunately the coil came out {twice} and I,m back to square one.building up the iron,only for it to drain away again each month.
Its ok at the moment 11.9 {only because I had the oddest one day flood ever,as oppose to 3 weeks} I darent hope for that next month.....
I really want to get it up to 13 when I felt normal
I have been resting alot,which really helps and have begun playing netball for 1 hour a week,though I,m wiped out after the game.
Before,I could barely get up,get the kids to school and do the minimum amount of housework,without feeling as though I,d run a marathon.I could never be bothered to wash my hair,or if I did,I went to bed with it wet.I have had the chest pains too,which is a sign your iron is dangerously low.Constant anaemia can cause an enlarged heart....you need the iron to get the oxygen around your body....your heart has to work harder.I,ve also got high blood pressure.Doctors dont seem overly concerned.....they wanna try living in my body for a few weeks.
I am now awaiting the ablation after tests showed I wasnt Menopausal.......no test to prove youre Peri though!!!
what the breast pain all about then? hot flushes too.....must be all in my head.
I think the general lethargy which comes with iron deficiency definitaly makes you depressed after so long.If I still feel dreadful,then I,m going to go back on the AD's
I have started taking Agnus Castus,which is supposed to regulate your hormones and may help with heavy bleeding.....let you know how I go on next month
I hope they dont interfere with the iron?
My iron level dropped to 8 after years of heavy periods.I had the Mirena and took iron, things calmed down,my iron went up to 13 and I felt like a spring lamb!
Unfortunately the coil came out {twice} and I,m back to square one.building up the iron,only for it to drain away again each month.
Its ok at the moment 11.9 {only because I had the oddest one day flood ever,as oppose to 3 weeks} I darent hope for that next month.....
I really want to get it up to 13 when I felt normal
I have been resting alot,which really helps and have begun playing netball for 1 hour a week,though I,m wiped out after the game.
Before,I could barely get up,get the kids to school and do the minimum amount of housework,without feeling as though I,d run a marathon.I could never be bothered to wash my hair,or if I did,I went to bed with it wet.I have had the chest pains too,which is a sign your iron is dangerously low.Constant anaemia can cause an enlarged heart....you need the iron to get the oxygen around your body....your heart has to work harder.I,ve also got high blood pressure.Doctors dont seem overly concerned.....they wanna try living in my body for a few weeks.
I am now awaiting the ablation after tests showed I wasnt Menopausal.......no test to prove youre Peri though!!!
what the breast pain all about then? hot flushes too.....must be all in my head.
I think the general lethargy which comes with iron deficiency definitaly makes you depressed after so long.If I still feel dreadful,then I,m going to go back on the AD's
I have started taking Agnus Castus,which is supposed to regulate your hormones and may help with heavy bleeding.....let you know how I go on next month
I hope they dont interfere with the iron?
QUOTE (miserablemum @ Aug 24 2009, 06:04 PM)
I can relate to all of these posts and all I can say is keep taking the iron alongside orange juice and definitely no grape juice or grapefruit.
My iron level dropped to 8 after years of heavy periods.I had the Mirena and took iron, things calmed down,my iron went up to 13 and I felt like a spring lamb!
Unfortunately the coil came out {twice} and I,m back to square one.building up the iron,only for it to drain away again each month.
Its ok at the moment 11.9 {only because I had the oddest one day flood ever,as oppose to 3 weeks} I darent hope for that next month.....
I really want to get it up to 13 when I felt normal
I have been resting alot,which really helps and have begun playing netball for 1 hour a week,though I,m wiped out after the game.
Before,I could barely get up,get the kids to school and do the minimum amount of housework,without feeling as though I,d run a marathon.I could never be bothered to wash my hair,or if I did,I went to bed with it wet.I have had the chest pains too,which is a sign your iron is dangerously low.Constant anaemia can cause an enlarged heart....you need the iron to get the oxygen around your body....your heart has to work harder.I,ve also got high blood pressure.Doctors dont seem overly concerned.....they wanna try living in my body for a few weeks.
I am now awaiting the ablation after tests showed I wasnt Menopausal.......no test to prove youre Peri though!!!
what the breast pain all about then? hot flushes too.....must be all in my head.
I think the general lethargy which comes with iron deficiency definitaly makes you depressed after so long.If I still feel dreadful,then I,m going to go back on the AD's
I have started taking Agnus Castus,which is supposed to regulate your hormones and may help with heavy bleeding.....let you know how I go on next month
I hope they dont interfere with the iron?
My iron level dropped to 8 after years of heavy periods.I had the Mirena and took iron, things calmed down,my iron went up to 13 and I felt like a spring lamb!
Unfortunately the coil came out {twice} and I,m back to square one.building up the iron,only for it to drain away again each month.
Its ok at the moment 11.9 {only because I had the oddest one day flood ever,as oppose to 3 weeks} I darent hope for that next month.....
I really want to get it up to 13 when I felt normal
I have been resting alot,which really helps and have begun playing netball for 1 hour a week,though I,m wiped out after the game.
Before,I could barely get up,get the kids to school and do the minimum amount of housework,without feeling as though I,d run a marathon.I could never be bothered to wash my hair,or if I did,I went to bed with it wet.I have had the chest pains too,which is a sign your iron is dangerously low.Constant anaemia can cause an enlarged heart....you need the iron to get the oxygen around your body....your heart has to work harder.I,ve also got high blood pressure.Doctors dont seem overly concerned.....they wanna try living in my body for a few weeks.
I am now awaiting the ablation after tests showed I wasnt Menopausal.......no test to prove youre Peri though!!!
what the breast pain all about then? hot flushes too.....must be all in my head.
I think the general lethargy which comes with iron deficiency definitaly makes you depressed after so long.If I still feel dreadful,then I,m going to go back on the AD's
I have started taking Agnus Castus,which is supposed to regulate your hormones and may help with heavy bleeding.....let you know how I go on next month
I hope they dont interfere with the iron?
That is interesting regarding the chest pains...well they were more like twinges. I wonder how many of our peri symptoms would be resolved if we increased our iron levels and had our thyroids properly adjusted.
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