My husband and I went to the high school in March and had blood work done. The rotary sponsers it every year and you can get the whole kit and kaboodle done for $40.00. Well, my Dr. called last night and said my iron level was low and I had to go to the drugstore to get Ferrous Sulfate, 325mg and take 1 tab twice a day. I have to be rechecked in 3 months. Normal level is supposed to be between 50 and 170, and mine was 44. Does anyone else have this problem and know the reasons for it? I only have a period maybe once every 5 months so it can't be from menstrual bleeding. All other tests were normal. I'd appreciate any opinions on this.

Thanks,

Susie

Hi Susie,
My ferritin level is on a lower side too, but compl;ete blood count (CBC) is ultimate answer.
Get your thyroid function checked. As we get older, many of us become anemic and not because of prolonged and heavy periods. There are other contributing factors: intestinal bleeding (even gastiritis sores can cause blood loss), inability to absorb iron from food (intristic factor), low iron diet, and - hypothyroid. So without futher evaluation, it's hard to tell which one is applicable. Anemia can cause many problems that mimic menopause: fatigue, irritability, heart palpitation, hair loss, achy and weak muscles, etc. Get your blood test number from your doctor and post them. Taking supplements does not hurt too. Also, I would ask your dr. for B12 blood test, this is important too.
Try to eat more hem-iron rich food and curb whole grains, wheat bran inhibits absorbtiion of iron and other vitamins and minerals. Eat iron rich food with food high in vitmain C in the same meal for better absorbtion. http://www.healthcastle.com/iron.shtml.
HTH,
Iradan

Hi Iradan,

Thank you so much for your reply. You sound like you are really knowledgable about the iron issue. I did have a cbc and the only thing that was off was iron level. My blood cell counts and cell distribution and platelets and all were within normal range. You know, I have had my thyroid checked around 3 or 4 times in the last 9 years, the last time being probably a year and a half ago and it always comes back normal. I thought for sure there was something wrong with my thyroid because I have had alot of the symptoms. The suggestion about getting my vitamin B level checked is a good idea. I have never had that done. I heard that if you take antacids it can slow down your ability to absorb vitamin B. I do take pepcid ac almost every day. What was the reason that your iron level was low?

Thanks again for all the information!

Susie

I have had hypothyroidism since my early thirties and with all the excessive bleeding, had a terrible bout of anemia on top of that. My endocrinologist suggested that I see my gyn because he felt that even for my age and so forth, that my estrogen level was way too low.

I have progesterone (Aygest) to start when and if I get another period. My endocrinologist also said that the studies that were done weren't entirely correct.

I just hope that the progesterone doesnt make me feel even worse.....

I don't know Susie, but I would imagine that I am not absorbing iron well, since I do have mild gastritis. I am not hypoT, however, I have some symptoms, but extensive tests show no hypothyrodism.
I do know that antiacid inhibit B12 absorbtion, so I never take them, even if I have heartburn (take baking soda with water). I also don't eat much red meat, and no iron fortified cereals either.
I am thinking to switch from stainless steel to cast ron skillets and pans, this way I can absorb more iron and try to eat red meat with acidic food like tomatoes too.
My ferritin is on a low side, but I don;t take supplements yet. I am waiting to switch insurance so I can get rid of kaiser, they dismiss everything, LOL. I will get tested for B12 and iron, and see what comes up. I still think it;s pretty common to be anemic as we age. On the other hand, high iron is associated with CAD risk and especially if one take lots of Vitamin C, so you never know.
Be well,
Iradan

Iradan,

Good to hear about the baking soda cause I have taken pepcid for a long time. I know the heartburn is probably from drinking too much coffee. The bad thing about taking these iron pills is now I have to take a stool softener because Boy! was I ever constipated after a week of taking them. I am supposed to take two a day but I only am taking one for now because of the constipation. I tell ya if it ain't one thing it's another. I never thought about all this when my body worked so well when I was young. Let me know how your tests come out.

Susie

I don't think out heartburn and other digestive issues are related to any particulate food (not for me at least), but I am not a big coffee drinker (never was before) so I do drink coffee but only after a good meal and never on empty stomach (especially for BF). I too was Rx PPI and ancticids but they killed my digestion and made me think I had something serious. So try to avoid the triggers and don't take any antiacid, as we age, we have LESS not more stomach acid, and we need it to digest protein and absorb all nutrients. I've noticed that having a salad dressed with oil/vinegar dressign and some plain mineral (carbonated) water (not soda) speeds up digestion, so food does not sit in the stomach and causing reflux. Also, low carb way of eating helps tremendously, so if you can avoid all processed sugars, most starches and eat lots of veggies, some fruit, protein and good fat, you woul find emmdiate relieve from heart burn, like I did. Most heartburn and reflux comes from not completely digested food that sits and fermentes causing gas, which in turn cause the LES to open. Eliminate this food and you wil feel no need for antiacid. I do have hormonal heartburn attack few days before TOM, in this case - baking soda mixed with water works like a charm.
Be well,
I.

My ferritin level was even lower than yours at 40, but the the lab range for "normal" where I went was 10 to 232 (labs differ), so my doctor thought 40 was just fine.

However, I know 40 is a bit low, regardless what a lab claims is normal, because I have had low iron most of my life. My former doctor wanted me to take a daily iron supplement for the rest of my life, so I usually do.

The problem with iron supplements is they are constipating, which is a problem for me.

Same problem with me. They cause constipation, so I have been taking Senna tablets when I take my iron pill. I have only been taking one pill every other day because they constipate me so bad. Just wondering what causes low iron. Is it just a woman thing? There are so many women taking iron pills and these are women that are in menopause mostly so it can't be from menstrual bleeding.

Susie

Yes, menstrual bleeding is a big contributor I'm sure, but I've been a life-long vegetarian and non-heme iron is really much harder for the body to absorb. They tell you spinach, for example, is a good source of iron, but it really isn't due to a plant chemical also in spinach that blocks iron's absorption.

So I guess it's iron pills and constipation forever!

I agree that non-hem iron is card to absord, but also phytic acid and fiber in grains (this is why they fortified with iron) and vegetables block iron and other minerals (zinc) from being absorbed properly. Getting older impares digestion too, we need strong stomach acid and healthy colon to digest food and absorb all nutrients. To get more iron, I eat liver once a week and rare steak, and eat iron rich food with something containing vitmian C, that makes absorbtion easier. Also cooking with cast iron pans helps. Compomized digestion and elimination are roots of all deseases and aging, JMO.

I'd just add that what you put into that digestive tract is really important, too, LOL.

I will never eat any meat products, so that's out for the iron. But my doctor thinks my level is fine, so I don't really worry about it. I also do not like the metal taste that cast iron pots/skillets give off, so I don't use those (but it's O.K. for baked things, I've found).

I'm trying to get off sugar entirely, since it definitely feeds yeast (even cancer) and causes other health problems (like glycation that contributes to the aging process and skin wrinkling). But it is so hard! I have one sweet per day, like a cupcake or whatever. But I'd really like to make it a treat only for special occasions, or even just once per week!

Just an update to my low iron problem. I had a Dr. appt. yesterday and told him I have not been taking my pills religiously because they cause constipation and also told him about my ectopic beats still acting up, being dead tired, anxious, dry itchy skin patches, burning tongue and nausea occasionally and he is doing blood tests to re-check my iron and blood cell counts and checking my hormone levels. Also a thyroid test and a B vitamin test. I admitted to him I have been taking pepcid ac for almost 10 years which reduces the acid and from what I understand you do not absorb iron or vitamins very well. I do drink alot of coffee which doesn't help either and I smoke. Anyway hope whatever they find it isn't serious. I always hate waiting for test results because I always imagine the worse. He also wanted me to have the scope thing to check out my stomache which I told him let's wait till the tests come back and see. I am a big chicken when it comes to those kind of tests. Although my stomach does not hurt, I just get alot of heartburn which I think is from the coffee and cigarettes. Prayers please that there is nothing serious. Thanks girls.


Susie

I can't agree more, we are what we eat. As for meat, it's personal, and I eat a variety of animal proteins (not onyl red meat) but also lots of salt water fish and seasfood. Liver has so much vitamins and menerals, that no single food can beat it, and is best blood builder. But it's also aquired taste, so if you can't stomach it, there are liver tabels, which are good substitute.
Cast iron pants needs to be properly seasoned to avoid this metallic taste, and are the healthiest cookware.
We al are diferent in fatc, I haven't eaten things like cupcakes or such, nothing with sugar and flour since for a long time now. I eat fruit and 85% cocoa dark chocolate when I crave dessert, or berries with cream but mostly fresh fruit. Try it, you will be amazed how good it works for sweet tooth.


I had scope done twice, and it's a breeze, they give you anastesia and amnesia meds, so you never remember the procedure, LOL. I had heartburn and burning pain in my stomach too, and they could not find anything. Now, coffee and cigs are the worst combo and they trigger adrenalin, that irritates your stomach.
I stopped drinking coffee and cut back on alcohol, and now the heart burn is rare ocation.
I would suggest Betane HCL for digestion, and good ezymes with meals. Also, eat lots of good quality animal protein, it raises acidity and "tightens" the LES. LES won't close until gastric juice reacehs certain pH.
Avoid irritants like sugars, white flour, coffee, and alcohol, and try to quit smiking, I know it's hard, but I managed to do it a whle ago and survived, and so will you.
Best wishes,
I.

Iradan,

Thanks for your reply. I know I really should quit smoking and I need to set my mind on it and try. What is the Betane hcl? I have never heard of it. Does it come in pill form or what and where do you get it and how much do you take?

Thanks
Susie

Susie,

Susie,
You can buy it at any health food store and/or order on line. aWe need acid for good digestion, ancti-acids are the most dangerous drugs IMHO, malabsorbtion leads to many serious health issues.
HTH,
I.



Forgot to post the rest of the article:

regards,
I.

Iradan,

Thanks so much for all the information. I didn't really know that antacids could be so dangerous and here stupid me has been taking them for 10 years!!!!! Live and learn I guess. Thanks again!

Susie

Susie,
When I started peri, I had non-stop burning pain in my stomach and under rib cage, and chest. This was something new to me, so my dr. gave me Prevacid (on the house, LOL). It took me 1 week to start getting side effects but the burning did not stop. I had headaches, hausea, gas, bloating, etc. So I did a little home work, and found out that those are the worst meds ever, actually the most dangerous ones and #1 selling drungs in US (I wonder why, LOL), and these are typical side effects. Anyway, I just tossed Prevacid, and worked around my diet avoiding irritants, and took a teaspoon of baking soda if I had a heart burn. Now heartburn is very rare, but I never take antiacids.
You can try Bromelain or eat some fresh pineapple with meals, if you have troubles digesting food, Puneapple and papaya have natural enzyme that are great for digestion, the supple,ents are sold in health food stores.

What is "normal"? Do you know the actual TSH number? And did your doctor also check T4 and T3 levels and thyroid antibodies?

"The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has revised these guidelines as of early 2003, narrowing the TSH range to .3-3.0. Many labs and practitioners are not, however, aware of these revised guidelines."

A word of warning: I went to a doctor whose lab used the old standard of .5-5 and my TSH came back as perfectly "normal" at 2.6. But I knew something was wrong because I had so many symptoms. So I went to another that used a lab with the newer standards and my TSH came back as 4.2, not normal! The doctor I'm seeing now treats anyone with a TSH over 2.0 if they have symptoms. I've been on Levoxyl for 6 weeks now and am feeling much better. Don't trust "normal" if it's over 2 or even if it's less than 2 if the lab uses old standards. Also have them check your T4 and T3.