The important question to ask is WHY are you anemic. A hemoglobin of 10 is not normal. Do you have chronic kidney disease? Are you slowly bleeding from your bowel. Do you have a vitamin B deficiency? If you find the cause, most times you can find the cure, or at least an explanation.

Good advice from sleeperblues. I had diverticulosis in May, my first trip to the Emergency room. (landed back in Emergency room 2 weeks later.) Lost 2 units of blood and opted not to have a transfusion. Needless to say, I was anemic. I know the cause so I just went straight to dealing with it. Ate red meat, oysters, chick peas (in the form of hummus) spinach, raisins and anything else I could find that was high in iron, plus took iron supplement. Getting better does not happen overnight.

About a year and a half ago I had no energy.....laid on the couch most days and a 20 minute trip to the grocery store wore me out. I also had an unexplained high white blood count. My primary care sent me to a hematologist. I ended up having two iron infusions and that did the trick. Of course, the dr wanted to find the source so I had a colonoscopy as well as a full GI work up. All was normal. The high white count went back to normal after six months and they never did figure out the cause. I see the hematologist twice a year now and so far all is OK and my energy level has been fine.

Takibg supplements are a first step I imagine. It may take time to kick in or your body may have trouble absorbing iron. It's good you are going for another blood test. if your numbers haven't improved I'm sure your dr will take things to the next level. Hang in there!

Ask your Dr. About taking B12 to help with energy. If you do take it, make sure it is sublingual Methylcobalamin and not cyanocobalamin (its at least as effective as b12 shots and in some cases more so.) Get tested for pernicious anemia if you don't improve. If you like liver, eat it. If you don't like liver find a way to eat it (paté on crackers, for instance.)

Been there, no fun. Think positively, though- in most cases its pretty easy to remedy and get back to feeling good.

I agree that finding the source for the anemia is most important. I was so anemic five years ago that I literally could not stay awake. I was working at the time and would nod off while in front of the computer. I went to the dr. who did some blood work and I got a call that night telling me to immediately go to the ER. Two days later I was diagnosed with colon cancer. I never had any blood in the stool and even the occult test done in ER was negative. Please please follow through and find the cause of your anemia. I had only really been aware of the symptoms for a little over two weeks.

Ditto! The reason for such a low blood count needs to be investigated....don't miss your next blood draw. I do have chronic kidney disease and a 10 red blood cell count....I get injections bi-weekly, so you really DO need to follow-up with your MD or a specialist to find the cause.....and a remedy.

I also got that call to go to the ER right away for a blood transfusion. Followed by hysterectomy six weeks later and all has been well since then. But when I was taking the iron pills, I remember there were a lot of "rules". Like if you don't take it with Vitamin C it won't be absorbed well (knock it back with a glass of juice). If you take it with caffeine it won't absorb well. It seems like there may have been more, but those are the two I remember.

I hope you are feeling back to normal soon.

Just a note to add to my original message. I did have a colonoscopy and endoscopy and they found nothing. So I will have to go on from there to find out the cause.

One other thing. When you take your iron pill, make sure it's not with any other medications you are on. Years ago I decided to take one-a-day vitamins with iron and after a month or so I had no energy at all. Turned out the pill was blocking the absorption of my thyroid medication.

My grandfather, who lives with me and I take care of, is anemic. When it was first discovered, we went to a blood doctor (hematologist) who prescribed iron pills and monitored the situation. Grandad doesn't like the side effects of the iron pills, so now he goes in for what is referred to as 'an iron push'. It's 2 treatments, a week apart, where iron is put into him through an IV. It's done at the doctor's office (the hematologist shares the office with cancer specialists) where they have a room for chemotherapy. I take him each time, and it works out to twice a year or slightly less.

Grandad's system accepts the treatment with no problems whatsoever, and he feels better after each time. He goes to this doctor every 3 months so they can keep track and schedule the next treatment when his iron levels drop.

If you don't have any bleeding, and they can't find any causation to 'fix', then the first thing to look at is diet. Increase your consumption of such foods as nuts, beans and leafy greens. Some people eat red meat, that's your choice. Next, if, like Grandad, diet isn't enough, it's iron pills. If your system has a tough time with those, and you have decent insurance (Grandad only has medicare, and the co-pays aren't bad) you might be a candidate for the iron push.

Oh, and if you steam or boil your veggies, drink the water like a tea. It's quite good and you'll get the lost minerals.

Good point on thyroid medication since I take that also. Thanks for the information Rgreen 48. I do steam veggies so will try drinking the water.

All the information I have received from everyone has been so useful.

r

i was very anemic, and was one point away from needing a transfusion. My doctor did an endoscopy and we find out that my esophagus was bleeding. Very scary. i went on pills to reduce the acid in my stomach, and that worked very well. i still take two pills every day, and haven't had problems in over 20 years.

I was anemic after a couple of the operations. They had me taking iron supplements but didn't tell me about how it should be taken and even the nursing home was giving it to me incorrectly so that prolonged the anemia. I started researching all the meds I was on and found that Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron so I started taking a Vitamin C with it. Also, calcium works to block the absorbing of the iron so I started taking them at different times of the day. Even a multi-vitamin should be taken at a different time of day. Don't take things like antacids that contain calcium or again, you're working against yourself. WebMD and Drugs.com (which I prefer but check both) have drug interaction pages that are very helpful, plus a little other research was very enlightening. It surprised a couple of the doctors how I knew as much as I did from the research. Some of it they didn't know, some they did but hadn't told me. I keep a running list of everything I might have to take and check it when something new comes in. Even on over the counter meds since they can have interactions in a surprising number of cases. Taking some of the pain meds together can cause seizures. Granted it was rare, but not worth the risk for me so I'm very careful on what I take. When I was in severe pain following surgery I started logging when I took what so I could check how long before I could take something. You gotta look out for yourself these days.

Of course you need to find the cause, but one cause could be that the iron isn't being absorbed properly. That one might be easily remedied.

I also did some research on drug interactions. it is very upsetting to learn what to eat or not to eat while taking iron pills and I don't know why this is not explained when you are told to take any new medication. Thanks for your information

socalgal is right, find out the cause, see a hematologist if you need to.

I'm sure your doc is hard at work calling in specialists, if they don't yet know the cause - years ago I had anemia severe enough they sent me home for a month prior to scheduled surgery. Lots of iron tablets - use the type the doc prescribes, red meat and way too much liver - then I was good to go. Unfortunately a side effect of iron is that constipation. Check with the docs to see how best to deal with this. At any rate back then info on what food to eat or not eat seemed to be available nowhere.

(I'm sure for you, they've ruled out the cause for anemia that gave me mine - for 4-5 days every 3.5 weeks I was a slave to my "less than monthlies".)

I worked for Women Infants and Children(WIC) for awhile. When children come in initially they get their fingers pricked, we check their iron levels. If its low low we recommend a doctor visit but if its just in the low normal range we recommend a high iron cereal, dry as a snack along with a glass of orange juice..that's WIC's orders from a pediatric Hematologist. The doctors say the iron is not very beneficial without a Vit C chaser.

What is your diet like?

I used to have a high iron level in my blood - was told so when donating blood. But since I have had a less than ideal diet (need more greens) I have had to have an iron supplement.

I don't like iron tablets so I have iron injections every three months.

However, this season I plan to grow a lot of my own veggies.

People often say to eat red meat, but when my iron levels were good, I only ate small amounts. However, I always had 3 different kinds of vegetables at dinner time.

I had been for years and it was never looked into. It was always attributed to menstruation. LOL, never understood that as it was normal (menstruation) and most of the other women I knew weren't anemic. My son was also really low at age 12. Also not looked into. Radical diet changes has brought our iron levels up immensely. We generally eat lower carb, gluten free (along with eliminating other foods that seem to irritate us), and very little processed foods. When we get off track we get problems - not sure what my iron levels read during that time as they weren't checked. At the time we ate iron fortified cereals, red meats, cooked in iron pans, etc. and still low. We no longer eat fortified cereals, less red meat, still cook in iron pans and iron levels are much better? I think lots of veggies makes a huge difference too.

Regarding question by tete-a-tete. I thought I was eating right as I had a green Romaine lettuce salad with meals sometimes twice a day. Ate lots of apples and other fruit, however, I did not eat much meat but when I did I usually cooked in a iron skillet.

When I found out I was anemic 20 years ago, my doctor sent me for Celiac testing. Bingo. I have Celiac. Might be something to investigate. Anemia is still a struggle for me, though.

Adding on: I should mention that I could never get my ferritin to budge without taking B12 (methylcobalamin - sp?) (in large amounts) sublingually.

Iron supplements alone may not do the trick. Your body need vitamin B complex to use iron, more specifically, its B6 that is needed. I started taking a B-complex tablet (B12 and B6). Its too early for me to know if that is making a difference - It seems to have increased by stamina.

However, one can overdose on B6 and ruin the kidneys. Its a dangerous drug and should be taken and monitored under the care of a doctor. That's probably the reason there is a small dose of B6 in the usual vitamin pill. The amount is usually below therapeutic levels.

Find out the root cause. Maybe you also have thyroid issues? Hashimotos? Check your cortisol levels. Maybe your thyroid isn't working properly due to an immune disorder? So many health issues caused by the thyroid not working properly. Also, the celiac issue, mentioned above could be the reason. Try gluten-free, dairy-free (as it mimics gluten), Soy-ree, sugar-free, grain-free diet for a while. Do an AIP (Auto-immune Paleo diet). But get checked by an integrative doctor or a well-informed Endocrinologist. Most MDs and Endos do NOT know enough about the thyroid and you'll be banging your head against the wall in frustration.

I was the person who posted that I have Celiac. I also have Hashimoto's. I wouldn't go gluten free if you plan to be tested for Celiac. The poster above is correct - most doctors do not know the correct information about thyroid issues.

Yes, I know about waiting to go gluten-free before being tested for Celiac. Also, even if you don't have Celiac, you could still have issues with Gluten which may effect the brain as well. I also have Hashimotos. I always have my hormones, cortisol, B vitamins, D3, ferritin checked as well as the obvious thyroid tests. I came very close to getting Addison's Disease.

I was interested in these tests you mention. Does your primary care Dr. give you these tests? I have always have just a regular thyroid test I guess and I know there is more they can test. I have inquired about it but NP seems to think that is enough and don't know how to convince her there more testing that can be done. My sister has Hashimotos.

I had fairly severe pregnancy anemia- probably not your issue ;) , but something important when you are taking the iron supplements - colace, every day, TRUST ME!

I was told to take my thyroid meds at least 1 hour before eating, and only take with water, as anything else to drink or eat would stick to it and it wouldn't absorb into my system.

Is is your dream aware your sister has Hashimotos? I asked to have my free t3 and t4 checked as it had been since 1991 that mine had been check other than general blood work. My dr suggested an ultra sound, as insurance doesn't usually pay for the t3 without reason. That is when we found all the nodules. Hope you find what the cause is.

Yes, that's correct Tami. In order to have correct testing, you have to fight with your doctor, find a doctor who will listen, go to an integrative doctor, pay out of pocket for the tests. Good luck.

Primary Care Doctors are clueless. I went to an endo for a year, then found they weren't helping. Now I go to an integrative doctor who specializes in thyroid, hormones and adrenal health. I pay out of pocket for many tests. Good luck. pump_toad

I have it , started 21 years ago, while pregnant. I have red meat every 2 days or I start seeing black spots at my peripheral vision. When unable to get red meat, I have nearly died in my chair, was unable to get out of it.

Take the illness seriously. If I feel dizzy while shopping I usually find a snack of cold roast or corned beef from the deli fixes me up in hours. It's my medication!