low hemoglobin

just got some blood work back.  Haven't been able to speak with the dr yet but the paperwork they gave me came with a prescription for iron supplements.  I am severly anemic so does low hemoglobin go hand in hand with that?
what can i do to get these levels back up where they belong?
I still plan on talking to my dr. but wanted some information from those who may have been there and done that already too.
Thanks

Yes how hemoglabin in directly related to anemia.  Did they draw your ferritin, TBIC, iron saturation also?  What about B-12?

Depending on the severity of the iron levels sometimes it works best to have infusions.  Beware iron doesn't come up quickly.....it does take time.

How are you feeling?  

I was taking 4 feresol a day and my iron and hemoglobin levels were still VERY low. i just completed 8 weeks of iron infusions. I see the doctor again in 1 month to have my labs retaken.

As stated above, it does take time to get iron level up. You have to 1st find out what is causing your iron levels to be low. Could be heavy menstrual flow, internal bleeding, mal absorption, not eating enough iron laden foods.....

Talk to your doctor and follow his/her advice. Take Care

Oxygen is transported in the blood stream on hemoglobin, which is on red blood cell.  Hemoglobin is made up of a protein and an iron.  Without sufficient iron levels, you cannot make hemoglobin.  Without hemoglobin, you cannot fully oxygenate the body.

Take the iron with vitamin C for better absorption.

I have been anemic since I was 13 and severely anemic since having surgery.
That said - take the supplements and take them EVERY day.
Take them with OJ - do not take them w/ milk products.
Increase you intake of iron rich foods.

And remember that a very low hemoglobin can lead to heart failure. Pretty scary stuff.

Anne