Question:
Anemia?

I am 15 mos. post-op and my bloodwork has been good until recently. Started feeling bone chilling cold and tired. Ran bloodwork and all is good except red blood count has dropped and hemoglobin is low. My doctor says I'm anemic and need to take iron. Is there anyone who has had this happen? and if so other than iron what can I do to bring levels back up? Thanks!    — Sheryann Z. (posted on October 24, 2003)

October 24, 2003
I have been anemic off and on for years. I was on a double dose of iron prior to surgery because my doctor did not want any problems during surgery. I am always cold also. I take a multi-vitamin and I take an additional iron pill each day, but my iron level still usually stays borderline. Another thing that has been a cause of my being anemic is heavy periods, however I recently got the Mirena IUD put in and will no longer be having heavy periods, as a matter of fact they will probably stop all together. So hopefully this will help with my anemia also. Just my rambling thoughts, hope it helps.
   — Dawn P.

October 24, 2003
I don't know what can bring your count up besides iron. Make sure it is an eaily absorbed kind, like carbynol iron. And taking it with a vitamin c pill or orange juice will make it easier to absorb.
   — mrsmyranow

October 24, 2003
I've always been anemic but since the surgery I've gotten down to an 8 despite the additional carbonyl iron and an ablation to greatly lessen my periods. I no longer absorb iron at all and have my second iron transfusion this coming week. My co-worker who is also rny has the same pblm but hers was so severe that she had to have an immediate blood transfusion and is now also getting the iron iv's as well and is scheduled for uterus removal.
   — lessofme170

October 24, 2003
I have always been on the anemic side too (due to heavy periods) and on September 4th of this year I had an iron infusion (my ferritin was 4!) and now I cannot be still! Inside I feel like I am running a race and have to do everything as fast as I can possibly do it. It's weird. Anyway, I'm not taking iron supplements at this time...but will be watching those levels to make sure I never get that low again because feeling tired all the time is for the birds. Good luck.
   — Jeralyn Merideth

October 25, 2003
I, too, don't know what you could use besides Iron, but my doctor told me to make sure I took ferrous Fumerate, it is one of the only ones that your body is still able to absorb. good luck!
   — Katrina K.