topic Re: Hemoglobin results in Wellness

Hemoglobin results

hondagirl — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:13:32 GMT

My test came back 11.6,,, Dr. says to take iron pills... Does anyone have info on taking these supplements and any side effects. I haven't purchased them yet but told to take one on Monday and another on Friday...

Re: Hemoglobin results

cherry — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:19:03 GMT

I read something the other day about taking iron pills. I think there is some negative things, about them, they have discovered recently

I can't recall what it was. Google will help you

Re: Hemoglobin results

IMW — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:19:41 GMT

Can cause severe constipation. Also difficult to absorb iron. Look up and eat iron rich foods.

Good luck

Re: Hemoglobin results

kitcat51 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:43:15 GMT

I take 2 iron pills a day down from 4, taking 4 bothered my stomach but I manage 2 fine...I'm grateful I don't need iron infusions. **Don't be alarmed about what is written here, I take lots of iron because that's what my body needs. Taking 2 pills a week, I don't think you'll notice anything. Your Dr will have you take a blood test to see if the iron pills are working & the pill amount may increase, decrease or stop. I have a blood test every 6 months & my count varies from 12 to 13. I drink a glass of water with each pill & found taking them at night works best for me & I avoid the 1hr before & 2hrs after drink & food issues. I buy coated slow release iron pills & they help with stomach upsets, if you have constipation Senokot works great. Hope your iron issue is resolved quickly, be well.

Re: Hemoglobin results

bikerbabe — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:51:53 GMT

Can cause stomach upset or constipation. Do not take with dairy or antacids or anything containing calcium. Vitamin C can actually help absorption so you can take with a little bit of orange juice. Take with a little bit of food to help stomach upset. Drink fluids to help with any constipation.

Re: Hemoglobin results

cherry — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 18:58:15 GMT

It can be toxic if you over dose

The Dark Side of Iron - Why Too Much is Harmful

Iron is an essential mineral.

However, like many other nutrients, it is harmful in high amounts.

In fact, iron is so toxic that its absorption from the digestive tract is tightly controlled.

For the most part, this minimizes the harmful effects of excess iron.

It is when these safety mechanisms fail that health issues arise.

This article discusses the potentially harmful effects of consuming too much iron.

What is Iron?

Iron is an essential dietary mineral, mostly used by red blood cells.

It is a crucial part of hemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells. Hemoglobin is responsible for delivering oxygen to all of the body's cells.

There are two types of dietary iron:

Heme iron: This type of iron is only found in animal foods, mostly in red meat. It is absorbed more easily than non-heme iron.
Non-heme iron: Most dietary iron is in the non-heme form. It is found in both animals and plants. Its absorption can be enhanced with organic acids, such as vitamin C, but is decreased by plant compounds like phytate.

People who get little or no heme iron in their diet are at an increased risk of iron deficiency (1, 2).

Many people are iron deficient, especially women. In fact, iron deficiency is the world's most common mineral deficiency (3).

BOTTOM LINE:Iron is an essential dietary mineral that plays an important role in transporting oxygen throughout the body. Iron deficiency is common among women.

Regulation of Iron Stores

There are two reasons why iron levels are tightly regulated within the body:

Iron is an essential nutrient that plays a role in many basic body functions, so we must get a small amount.
High levels of iron are potentially toxic, so we should avoid getting too much.

The body regulates iron levels by adjusting the rate of iron absorption from the digestive tract.

Hepcidin, the body's iron-regulatory hormone, is responsible for keeping iron stores in balance. Its main function is to suppress the absorption of iron.

Basically, this is how it works (4):

High iron stores -> Levels of hepcidin increase -> Iron absorption decreases.
Low iron stores -> Levels of hepcidin decrease -> Iron absorption increases.

Most of the time, this system works quite well. However, a few disorders that suppress hepcidin production can lead to iron overload.

On the other hand, conditions that stimulate hepcidin formation may cause iron deficiency.

Iron balance is also affected by the amount of iron in our diet. Over time, diets low in iron may cause a deficiency. Likewise, an overdose of iron supplements may cause severe iron poisoning.

BOTTOM LINE:The rate of iron absorption from the digestive tract is tightly regulated by the hormone hepcidin. However, several iron overload disorders may disrupt this fragile balance.

Re: Hemoglobin results

x Hedge — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:02:06 GMT

Many foods, and my water are full of iron.

Since you're already at 11.6 and he's only asking you to take two a week, I'd guess he's watching for something else, and how it responds to a predictable, controlled increase in iron.

I never had any negative side effects from daily iron.

Re: Hemoglobin results

SilleeMee — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:08:41 GMT

You can always move to a higher altitude. Here in my state of Colorado people have an abundance of HGB because of the altitude. Iron pills don''t sell too well here. But if you have to take them, be sure to take them with your vitaminC for better absorption.

Re: Hemoglobin results

hckynut — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:08:51 GMT

@hondagirl

I have had many Iron Infusions, and tons of blood transfusions. Some because of being Anemic from blood loss, others because my Iron Ferritin Levels were/are way too low.

The only thing that helps keep both my Hemoglobin(14 and above) and Iron Ferritin Levels(higher than 32) in a good range for me, has been the Vitamin B-12 Injection 1 time a month.

For many an 11.6 Hemoglobin is a low number, for some they are happy with that number, as are their doctors. Even higher Hemoglobin numbers(for me like a 13.5), does not correlate with not needing an Iron Infusion. I've needed them with my Hemoglobin numbers low and good, for me anyways.

Never taken Iron Supplements, but I do know that some people(my wife for 1) that cannot tolerate even a low dosage number. She too gets Iron Infusions when her Iron Ferritin levels get too low, and she also gets a monthly B-12 shot.

Re: Hemoglobin results

sidsmom — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:14:57 GMT

@hondagirl

I would ask the doctor why my iron is low in the first place.

Is there a blood loss?

Is there an inability to absorb iron?

Figure out the root cause is...because taking unneeded

supplements are not only wasted money but very dangerous.

After that, I would champion to increase iron levels through nutrition

over an agreed time frame. Then....if the levels are still low,

supplementation would be needed.

But to have the doctor just look at a piece of paper with a number &

shove pills at you is so unprofessional, IMO.

Re: Hemoglobin results

SXMGirl — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:15:17 GMT

For a long time my hemoglobin levels were between 8.5 and 11. Since I am a life-time blood donor, I eat lots of spinach and kale. If I need an extra boost, I add raisins, which is not my preference because of the sugar level. That allows me to get the level up to 12.5, which is required to give blood.

Re: Hemoglobin results

Love my grandkids — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 19:46:26 GMT

Last year, after surgery and chemo, I was started on a coure of radiation. My sainted oncologist, at the start of chemo, told me to take iron (ferrous sulfate) 2X a day and to take Vitamin C at the same time, as this helps the ferrous sulfate/iron work better.

It has helped me TREMENDOUSLY but if you have questions it's best to talk to your doctor. Only your doctor knows YOUR medical history and needs.

Re: Hemoglobin results

x Hedge — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:06:33 GMT

11.6 is not low for a mature woman. Believe me, I know low, having been hospitalized twice for acute anemia due to prolonged internal bleeding combined with stubbornness.

In fact, 11.6 suggests Doc is looking at something else, since I was taken off iron when I was consistently at/above 11.

I've never heard of someone needing iron supplements being dosed only twice a week. Sounds like Doc is ruling out a possibility, as a good Doc should.

Re: Hemoglobin results

kitcat51 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 20:27:01 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

@hondagirl

I have had many Iron Infusions, and tons of blood transfusions. Some because of being Anemic from blood loss, others because my Iron Ferritin Levels were/are way too low.

The only thing that helps keep both my Hemoglobin(14 and above) and Iron Ferritin Levels(higher than 32) in a good range for me, has been the Vitamin B-12 Injection 1 time a month.

For many an 11.6 Hemoglobin is a low number, for some they are happy with that number, as are their doctors. Even higher Hemoglobin numbers(for me like a 13.5), does not correlate with not needing an Iron Infusion. I've needed them with my Hemoglobin numbers low and good, for me anyways.

Never taken Iron Supplements, but I do know that some people(my wife for 1) that cannot tolerate even a low dosage number. She too gets Iron Infusions when her Iron Ferritin levels get too low, and she also gets a monthly B-12 shot.

hn

I was told in the future I may need iron infusions & that they're painful...is that true? During a blood transfusion they had to do something called a push & it hurt like heck, they said the iron infusions are worst. Hope you don't mind me asking & it isn't to personal to share.

Re: Hemoglobin results

Love my grandkids — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 22:25:59 GMT

I also have been receiving a series of B12 injections. My anemia was caused largely due to chemo. I'm getting better all the time and I thank God for my wonderful doctors, every one of them.

Re: Hemoglobin results

151949 — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 22:36:54 GMT

11.6 is not a bad hemoglobin. I have kidney disease and if mine stays above 9 my doctor is telling me how well I'm doing. Just look up what foods are high in iron - like spinach . I eat some spinach almost every day - usually raw in salads or on my sandwich for lunch.

Re: Hemoglobin results

maestra — Mon, 23 Apr 2018 23:09:15 GMT

Durng chemo, my hg was at 7.7; I began to faint daily.

Chemo changes and adding wheatgrass to diet helped almost immediately.

Re: Hemoglobin results

hckynut — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 06:41:56 GMT

@kitcat51

No, your question is not too personal. I am happy to share most of my many medical events with those interested. If you have ever had an IV inserted into your arm, that is the extent of anything close to pain, at least for myself, and my wife.

As I mentioned in another post in this thread, I have had over 125+ blood transfusions, and lots of Iron infusions. I have no idea what "called a PUSH" even means. The only thing to me that resembles a "push" is when the IV is inserted into my arm. Sure, some nurses are better than others, but I have never experienced what I call "pain" from the many hundreds I have had inserted into my body.

With Iron Infusions they have to keep a closer eye on the patient's vitals during the Infusion than with a Blood Transfusion. Some have been known to have an allergic reaction to the Iron, so Pulse Rate/Blood Pressure and Oxygen Saturation readings are checked regularly during the Infusion.

Anything else feel free to ask.

Re: Hemoglobin results

ID2 — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:08:48 GMT

Years ago I had to take ferrous sulfate (iron) to cure my low iron problem. I welcomed taking them to cure my horrible symptoms I was plagued with. I had absolutely no issues taking them.

Re: Hemoglobin results

kitcat51 — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:12:34 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

@kitcat51

No, your question is not too personal. I am happy to share most of my many medical events with those interested. If you have ever had an IV inserted into your arm, that is the extent of anything close to pain, at least for myself, and my wife.

As I mentioned in another post in this thread, I have had over 125+ blood transfusions, and lots of Iron infusions. I have no idea what "called a PUSH" even means. The only thing to me that resembles a "push" is when the IV is inserted into my arm. Sure, some nurses are better than others, but I have never experienced what I call "pain" from the many hundreds I have had inserted into my body.

With Iron Infusions they have to keep a closer eye on the patient's vitals during the Infusion than with a Blood Transfusion. Some have been known to have an allergic reaction to the Iron, so Pulse Rate/Blood Pressure and Oxygen Saturation readings are checked regularly during the Infusion.

Anything else feel free to ask.

hn

Goodness, you & your wife have been through alot & I appreciate your time answering my question. The push I mentioned is a fluid they inject into the IV so the blood flows quicker during the transfusion, it makes the blood feel scalding hot & it hurts...I needed the push for the last 2 units of blood they had to get into me before a medical procedure. I'm relieved your experience with the iron infusion doesn't sound anything like the push, having an IV inserted is easy for me. I do get hives when I get blood, it doesn't happen until halfway through the 2nd unit, I tell them ahead of time but I'm dismissed & they insist any reaction will happen with this first unit but I prove them wrong with hives head to toe. I've worried about the infusions so Thank You for sharing. I wish you & your wife well, your kindness is deeply appreciated. Sorry for the small print, I couldn't get the print size larger & not sure if it's my tablet or a Q issue.