topic Re: Low Iron in Wellness

Low Iron

Patriot3 — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 15:32:57 GMT

Does anyone else have a low iron count with hemoglobin in the okay range? I can't figure it out. And I can't take any iron because my stomach does not tolerate it.

Re: Low Iron

BlueFinch — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 16:15:58 GMT

It's not that uncommon, but the cause can be a diagnostic challenge. I think you'll need to review your health history with your doc to see if he/she can pinpoint something. There are some cases where they never can, but just continue to monitor over time.

It's imperative that you treat the low iron though. If your level is not too low, maybe dietary additions could help, along with lower dose supplements. Ask your doc if this would be possible for your case for better treatment comfort.

Re: Low Iron

kaiwahini — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 16:17:45 GMT

I have had low iron (my lowest count was 7). Since you can't take iron tablets, I suggest you eat iron rich foods. Cream of Wheat is the highest iron rich food you can eat (per my blood bank info). Watch your intake of Advil or other ibuprofen meds. They will deplete your iron levels. There are also some supplements you might be able to take that help your iron levels - B vitamins are a big one.

Re: Low Iron

IMW — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 16:35:12 GMT

Check ferritin levels----that shows store house of iron.

My hemoglobin is ok, while I need ferritin infusions

every 10-12 weeks due to avms (small bleeds in lower

bowl)

'How do you feel? I get tremendous symptoms when ferritin is low------

Re: Low Iron

Love my grandkids — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 19:09:43 GMT

@Patriot3 It is important that you discuss this with your medical provider. THAT is the person who can diagonose and treat you. It's not for you to figure out.

When I was having chemo my levels got so low that I needed 3 infusions over a matter of weeks.

Tho I am no longer anemic, my oncologist put me on a regimen of iron (ferrous sulfate) and vitamin C (which works with the iron/ferrour sulfate) and will be on it for my lifetime. My PCP is on board with this.

Haven't you talked to your doctor about this?

Re: Low Iron

Jk9 — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 19:16:56 GMT

Yes. My hgb is good now and my iron is dropping. Will get an infusion when it reaches a certain level. I see a hematologist for this.

Re: Low Iron

Mindy D — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 16:03:58 GMT

@Patriot3 @Keep a food diary for two weeks. See how you are doing. Know that Vitamin C increases iron absorption. You can use the app called MYFITTNESSPAL for your food diary. You might be able raise your iron level with food, once you keep track of the foods you are consuming and increase your Vitamin C. Eating iron rich foods with Vitamin C rich foods increases the iron you absorb.

Re: Low Iron

Mindy D — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 20:04:43 GMT

@Patriot3 @Please read this article. It's from the National Institute of Health and it describes what you are experiencing.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjU5Yq-vNX2AhVJiOAKHbrJChQQFnoECCUQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC5986027%2F&usg=AOvVaw2dyc5UUdYNVOo9HzUsRi1M

Re: Low Iron

Patriot3 — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 20:12:46 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@Patriot3 @Please read this article. It's from the National Institute of Health and it describes what you are experiencing.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjU5Yq-vNX2AhVJiOAKHbrJChQQFnoECCUQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fpmc%2Farticles%2FPMC5986027%2F&usg=AOvVaw2dyc5UUdYNVOo9HzUsRi1M

@Mindy D Interesting.......thank you.

Re: Low Iron

Qvcchristmas — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 21:22:32 GMT

I have dropping ferritin and iron but normal hemoglobin. Can't take oral iron either because of stomach issues. I even tried "gentle iron" and it was a no go. It's such a mystery, not bleeding and don't have absorption issues. I do have a hematologist who gives iron infusions when I reach a certain level, but it's kind of awful just waiting to drop further.

Re: Low Iron

hckynutjohn — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 21:40:57 GMT

@Patriot3 wrote:
Does anyone else have a low iron count with hemoglobin in the okay range? I can't figure it out. And I can't take any iron because my stomach does not tolerate it.

@Patriot3

What do you mean by "ok range". With my bleeding colon my Hemoglobin number meant the difference between needing another blood transfusion or not.

Have you checked the numbers that fall into the normal range when it comes to you personally. If you don't know the numbers, get them.

Numbers are important, not just "ok or normal". What is normal for some is too low for others. A lot depends on several health factors.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Low Iron

judianne — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 22:49:37 GMT

I was just diagnosed with low hemoglobin , got iron pills RX to take . Haven't started , l too have stomach issues from iron pills . I do have symptoms , so tired all the time .

Re: Low Iron

hckynutjohn — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 23:16:16 GMT

@judianne

Low hemoglobin numbers make you tired because you are not getting adequate amount of oxygen from your red blood cells. I was Anemic for several years because of my bleeding colon and constant need of blood transfusions and Iron Infusions.

Won't go through my colon issues, will just say I have had 130+ blood transfusions and 30+ Iron Infusions. And being one that has had 2 heart attacks, my Hemoglobin numbers were that much more important.

My Hemotolohist said I would be ok with a number of 9g/dl. My Cardiologist said with my heart condition he wanted it at 10g/dl or above. Mine got as low as 6.8g/dl and it wore me out blinking my eyes.

Mine now runs around 14.5g/dl-15.8g/dl. I feel great at those levels. I get a B-12 shot every month, and my Iron Ferritin level checked every 3 months. If my Ferritin is low, I need an Iron Infusion, even if my Hemoglobin is 13g/dl or more.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Low Iron

qvcaddition — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 03:56:22 GMT

@judianne

@judianne wrote:
I was just diagnosed with low hemoglobin , got iron pills RX to take . Haven't started , l too have stomach issues from iron pills . I do have symptoms , so tired all the time .

Andrew Lessman Iron vit don't cause stomach upset.

Re: Low Iron

ID2 — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 10:08:23 GMT

A very dark peiod of my life is when I had low iron and wasn't diagnosed for quite a while. My life ws miserable. Once I was diagnosed with severe low iron my doctor had me take ferrous sulfate and I was cured! Yay!

Re: Low Iron

hckynutjohn — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 20:32:10 GMT

@ID2 wrote:
A very dark peiod of my life is when I had low iron and wasn't diagnosed for quite a while. My life ws miserable. Once I was diagnosed with severe low iron my doctor had me take ferrous sulfate and I was cured! Yay!

@ID2

Your post has the key word, diagnosed! Having a low Iron reading, in and of itself, means very little. The reason has to be diagnosed. You can have a very good level of Hemoglobin, but still be iron deficient, and vice versa.

Your doctor prescribed what you should take, be it a prescription or OTC substance. Good for that Doctor.

Too many hear "low iron" and think "supplements", when it could be caused by say, a low Iron Ferritin Level. A regular blood test does not give an Iron Ferritin Level, unless it is specifically asked for by your doctor.

I mentioned in my other post that my Iron and Hemoglobin levels can be very good, while at the same time, my Iron Ferritin Level is not. For me that means an Iron Infusion is necessary.

It is similar to a Blood Transfusion, but for me, much more risky. I had suffered Anaphylactic Shock, during an Iron Infusion, and this can be deadly. Fortunately I get my Infusions in the hospital.

For those that say I have "low iron" I think I will take an AL supplement? I would suggest getting a Full Blood Panel Workup, which includes Hemoglobin and Iron Ferritin, before hoping a supplement will be all you need.

hckynut 🇺🇸

Re: Low Iron

chrystaltree — Tue, 22 Mar 2022 18:57:01 GMT

I did a few years ago. I had iron deficiency anemia buy my hemoglobin was normal. I had to take supplements to get it up to normal. I maintain it by taking a multivitamin with iron and eating oatmeal and iron rich seafood 3 times a week. I don't eat red meat and I hate leafy green vegetables so I get my iron checked every 6 months.