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Anemia

post #1 of 23
1/19/11 at 2:03pm
Thread Starter 
I had some blood work done last week for a wide variety of tests to try and find out why I'm frequently fatigued. I got a call from MA who works for my doctor yesterday saying that I needed to have more testing done because one of the results showed that I was anemic and they need to find the cause. I have ulcerative colitis, and I know that digestive disorders can be a cause for anemia. I also know that an iron deficiency could be another cause. The tests also showed a change in my thyroid levels, which could also be a factor in the fatigue and why I have a lot of trouble losing any weight.

I have asked my GI doctor for a copy of the results, and asked him to send a copy to my primary care physician. I won't do anything until I know for sure what is causing the anemia, but I was curious if anyone here is also anemic, and how do you deal with it?

I know that a lot of foods are high in iron, including red meat, which I love but it doesn't love me anymore. I can eat ground beef, but steak flares up my colitis like nothing else.

You get a point where you start to become sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 23
1/19/11 at 2:08pm
I had anemia so bad, and didn't know it. I had to nap in my car BEFORE work, I was always so tired. And at lunch, and take a nap before dinner, LOL. So...once I was diagnosed, I just took lots of iron pills, like double a one a day dose, and within a couple weeks I actually felt better. (Iron can constipate, so watch out for that.)

They never could figure out why I was so anemic. Except I also had very high inflammation markers and about a year after the anemia episode I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Personally, I think that is the cause for mine.
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post #3 of 23
1/19/11 at 2:28pm
Did they check your B12, too? If not, they should.

Ironically beef (aside from ground) bothers my stomach ( and I get what feels like intestinal cramping) at times, too. I just blamed it on being harder to digest.

I hope supplementing helps.
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post #4 of 23
1/19/11 at 3:00pm
My SIL has pernicious anemia. She has to take B12 shots regularly, but that seems to have done the trick.
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post #5 of 23
1/19/11 at 3:07pm
You can do a search for "iron rich foods" and get lots of ideas. Many are non-meat sources. I took a "sea vegetable" supplement prior to chemo to get my levels as high as possible. They really STINK, though, and I never had the stomach to take them again after the chemo.

I suspect your colitis has a lot to do with the anemia. Even minute amounts of bloodloss, over time, can show itself over time.

I hope you are feeling better soon!

C
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post #6 of 23
1/19/11 at 4:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Essayons89 View Post
curious if anyone here is also anemic, and how do you deal with it?
I tend towards anemia. In fact I can tell what my Hgb is at any given time. It's uncanny.

You can take Ferrous Sulfate tablets 3 times per day which will help. In fact all women should be taking iron supplements provided nothing in their health contraindicates that. But iron is constipating so a higher fibre diet or stool softeners should also be taken.

Foods that are a good source of iron include:
  • liver
  • lean red meats, including beef, pork, lamb
  • seafood, such as oysters, clams, tuna, salmon, and shrimp, etc.
  • beans, including kidney, lima, navy, black, pinto, soy beans, and lentils
  • iron fortified whole grains, including cereals, breads, rice, and pasta
  • greens, including collard greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach, and turnip greens
  • tofu
  • vegetables, including broccoli, swiss chard, asparagus, parsley, watercress, brussel sprouts
  • chicken and turkey
  • blackstrap molasses
  • nuts
  • egg yolks
  • dried fruits, such as raisins, prunes, dates and apricots
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post #7 of 23
1/19/11 at 5:12pm
I'm so sorry, but glad you went to find out what was going on.
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post #8 of 23
1/19/11 at 7:32pm
After your results ask your doctor about meeting with a nutritionist or naturopathic doctor to help you find better foods than beef to help your levels return to healthy.
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post #9 of 23
1/20/11 at 5:05am
I'm sorry you're going through this. I was borderline anemic several years ago, when I was dieting. My doctor told me to eat more iron-rich foods; he did not talk to me about iron pills or anything. But I was just borderline and, after I started eating properly, I was fine.

I had my thyroid checked at that time, too, because of some other concerns. When your thyroid isn't acting right, it can really screw your body up.

Good luck....I hope your doctor can find out the reason behind your anemia.
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post #10 of 23
1/20/11 at 5:30am
I'm iron deficient anemic during my monthly it sucks. I get very dizzy/light headed/tired/ and it also tends to send my panic disorder through the roof from the anemia symptoms.

I take a multivitamin daily and a few days before my monthly I take a rx iron supplement or OTC one (those have to be taken more frequently). I also really watch what I eat as the body usually absorbs any vit/mineral through food, I increase things like lentils/beans, fish and eggs. I don't eat much red meat and no organ meat.

Thankfully I only have to deal with it 1wk out of the month.

I'd definitely suggest vitamins plus foods, but make sure you go over it with your doc as iron supplements can interfere w absorption of other meds.

As someone mentioned, iron is supposed to be constipating for most, but ironically it is the opposite for me. Also it does discolor bms.

Good luck, hope u can find something that works for you.
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post #11 of 23
1/20/11 at 5:57am
I was never anemic before (just hypothyroid) until later in my pregnancy. I had blood work done about a week ago and was told to take Ferrous Sulfate supplements, twice a day, in addition to pre-natal vitamins. Since it's fairly common for anemia to occur later in pregnancy, there's no need to search for the underlying cause...her name is Amber, lol.
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post #12 of 23
1/20/11 at 3:22pm
I sure wish someone would tell my body that iron is constipating.....it has a very much different effect on me! That being said.... I've found the best form for me to get some extra iron in is in a good prenatal vitamin!
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post #13 of 23
1/20/11 at 8:04pm
Thread Starter 
Thank you for the well wishes and the sharing of your personal experiences.

I may try and get the additional blood work done tomorrow. I don't want to wait until Monday if I don't have to. I feel like crap.
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post #14 of 23
1/20/11 at 10:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KittenKrazy View Post
I sure wish someone would tell my body that iron is constipating.....it has a very much different effect on me! That being said.... I've found the best form for me to get some extra iron in is in a good prenatal vitamin!
Hahaha! I have that same problem with coffee. My body thinks it makes me sleepy!
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post #15 of 23
1/20/11 at 10:27pm
I took a Ferrous Sulfate supplament along with a prenatal vitamin after my pregnancy. I havn't had bloodwork done in nearly a year now so I can't tell you if I'm still anemic at all. I stopped taking it maybe a month or so after my daughter was born. My mother could not take any iron supplaments long because of that lovely constipating side effect. Fortunately most new moms are advised to get some colace as well!
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post #16 of 23
1/21/11 at 4:35pm
I was diagnosed with severe anemia in 1995. My red cell count was 4 (a female of child-bearing age should be 12.5-26). Mine had to do mostly with that time of the month problems and eating a mostly vegetarian diet.

I can't take iron pills; they cause huge stomach pains and faintness, so there's not much I can do. I still don't eat much meat, though told I had to by my doctor.

In November, my hemoglobin was 12.5! (But I think that was due the cheeseburger I ate for lunch).

I think anemia is why I get run down and sick a lot--not seriously so--I heal fast--but today is one of those days.

Hope you're feeling better SOON!
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post #17 of 23
1/21/11 at 5:22pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks.

I went and had my blood work done this afternoon. I was told my doctor should have the results by Monday.
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post #18 of 23
1/23/11 at 12:44pm
!!!!!!!!
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post #19 of 23
1/23/11 at 1:11pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks.

I just hope they can narrow down the cause a little more. The sooner I can start treatment the better.
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post #20 of 23
1/23/11 at 1:22pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MargeCat View Post
I was diagnosed with severe anemia in 1995. My red cell count was 4 (a female of child-bearing age should be 12.5-26). Mine had to do mostly with that time of the month problems and eating a mostly vegetarian diet.

I can't take iron pills; they cause huge stomach pains and faintness, so there's not much I can do. I still don't eat much meat, though told I had to by my doctor.
Even if you take them before eating something (veggie snack or a meal), like 30 min or so to reduce the risk of stomach irritation?

I do that on Ferrous Sulfate three times a day, once with a Vit C pill, drink tons of green tea, chicken at lunch and dinner and still manage to pull out a hemoglobin count of 13.6

The normal value for a RBC is between 4-6 if I remember correctly...But if your case is that severe, dietary changes might be trying iron supplements around a snack during the morning on nuts and raisins with some orange juice. Eat a normal evening meal with salad vegetables and more OJ but add some herbs and spices if you can because thyme and curry powder are also top iron rich ingredients.

I hope you feel better soon, and know that you WILL find all the answers out in due time !!! Anemia is horrible. I feel like being off supplements for more than two weeks it is ruining my life. ...
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post #21 of 23
1/23/11 at 2:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by elayman View Post
Even if you take them before eating something (veggie snack or a meal), like 30 min or so to reduce the risk of stomach irritation?

I do that on Ferrous Sulfate three times a day, once with a Vit C pill, drink tons of green tea, chicken at lunch and dinner and still manage to pull out a hemoglobin count of 13.6

The normal value for a RBC is between 4-6 if I remember correctly...But if your case is that severe, dietary changes might be trying iron supplements around a snack during the morning on nuts and raisins with some orange juice. Eat a normal evening meal with salad vegetables and more OJ but add some herbs and spices if you can because thyme and curry powder are also top iron rich ingredients.

I hope you feel better soon, and know that you WILL find all the answers out in due time !!! Anemia is horrible. I feel like being off supplements for more than two weeks it is ruining my life. ...
Yes, I did take the pill with food, but I still had horrible stomach pains and faintness.

As I am a diabetic, I have to be careful with the OJ. I do have a tiny glass when I eat my iron-rich cereal (for those who wonder what the OJ is about, Vitamin C, when taken/eaten with iron-rich foods, helps iron absorption). Raisins are out for me, too--apart from the fact I hate them, they're high in sugar/carbs. NEVER liked them!

When I was diagnosed, the doctor said my anemia was so severe, it was the equivalent of walking around, missing a pint of blood every day.

Interesting sidebar: it is thought that the ancient Egyptians more often than not may have been anemic. Certain parasites that could cause blood loss were apparently very common then, and found in mummies of all social strata. So, elayman and Bryan, we can comfort ourselves with having something in common with the ancient Egyptians--how cool is that? Oh, well, I tried to cheer us all up!

Seriously, anemia stinks. It can cause a lack of concentration, and I work with very-detail-oriented work on a pc all day. Sometimes it's hard to concentrate, especially when I feel worn down.
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post #22 of 23
1/31/11 at 12:14pm
Thread Starter 
The doctor's office called me today about my latest blood test results. He wants me to start taking an iron supplement twice a day. Would these be ok?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wal...847858-product

Would a liquid product be better than a pill?

I also have to get a colonoscopy in a few weeks and do some other tests related to my colitis.
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post #23 of 23
1/31/11 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Essayons89 View Post
The doctor's office called me today about my latest blood test results. He wants me to start taking an iron supplement twice a day. Would these be ok?
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wal...847858-product
A standard daily dosage 65 mg of elemental iron, equivalent to 325 mg should be fine under any manufacturer.

Maybe three a day is too much of a good thing and is what is elevating my b-12 levels slightly above normal ? . All the other bloodwork is perfectly normal, though, or I would be concerned.


Good luck with the colon results !
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