Guest guest Posted September 10, 2002 Report Share Posted September 10, 2002 Do any of you out there suffer from low iron and/or anemia? If so, would you mind sharing with me your experiences with it? I have had problems for as long as I can remember with low iron but now twice in two years I have become anemic. When I went in for some blood work last week related to my flu, it showed anemia. I am going back the week after next when I am truly well for another check as the doctor said it can be lower when the body is fighting an infection - and then we will discuss iron sumplements (which as tired as I am now are well needed). I will also bring in a stool sample to check for blood as I don't want to worry that that could be a cause - it is better to just know. The other thing the doctor said is that I am a menstruating vegetarian woman and that can be a cause. Thanks in advance! Carmen US citizen in Thalwil (Zurich), Switzerland SAHM of Sam almost 7 & Aleksander 3 ml@h=US English, ML=Swiss & High German " Tolerance is withstanding people on our terms. Acceptance is embracing people on their terms. " -unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2002 Report Share Posted September 10, 2002 Carmen, First, when I was vegetarian I was often anemic. My doctors unfortunately always blew it off and even when I took iron I still showed signs of anemia. When I went vegan over seven years ago I never suffered from anemia again. Since my doctors were pretty lame and I didn't push it I will never know for sure why going vegan changed things. Second, doctors tend to advice iron supplements and blame vegetarianism on anemia...this is very scary since anemia can be a sign of more serious problems (not to scare you, but it sounds like you know this since you are taking in a stool sample). I would have a complete blood work up, etc. to look for other things. My mother's cancer went undetected for who knows how long because her doctor kept blaming her anemia and lack of energy on her vegetarian diet. By the time they found the cancer (when she was in for an misdiagnosed gallbladder surgery) it was too late and she died a month later. If you are feeling tired, etc. take your health into your own hands...see another doctor, read medical books, etc. to help find the source of the problem. Sometimes taking supplements can just mask the underlying issue. That said, I would take an honest look at your diet and see if you are eating a balanced varied diet. Sometimes we get into ruts and don't eat a lot of different foods. I would try eating vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables since C helps with absorption. Dairy products inhibit iron absorption per 'Heathly Eating for Life for Women' by PCRM. This book also suggests these blood tests: 1. Serum ferritin (normal values are 12-200 mcg/l) 2. Serum iron and total iron binding capacity (TIBC). When the serum iron measurement is divided by TIBC, the result should be 16 to 50 percent for women and 16 to 62 percent for men. Results below these norms indicate too little iron. If the result suggests iron deficiency, your doctor may request an additional test called a red cell protoporhyrin test for confirmation. A result higher than 70 mcg/dl of red blood cells suggests insufficient iron. To diagnose iron deficiency, at least two of these three values (serum ferritin, serum iron/TBC, or red cell protoporhyrin) should be abnormal. It sounds like you've already had the test, but some doctors do a hemoglobin test that is said to be less accurate than the ones above. Good luck! I hope you feel better soon!!!! Linda - We Remember 9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost http://dir.remember./tribute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2002 Report Share Posted September 11, 2002 Linda Evans wrote: First, when I was vegetarian I was often anemic. My doctors unfortunately always blew it off and even when I took iron I still showed signs of anemia. When I went vegan over seven years ago I never suffered from anemia again. Since my doctors were pretty lame and I didn't push it I will never know for sure why going vegan changed things. Dairy products inhibit iron absorption per 'Heathly Eating for Life for Women' by PCRM. It seems like you answered your own question. Could giving up dairy be the reason you no longer have a problem with anemia? I know I had problems with anemia as an omni, but since becoming vegan (and becoming more conscious of my vitamin C intake as well), it hasn't been an issue. - We Remember 9-11: A tribute to the more than 3,000 lives lost Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 > - and then we will discuss iron sumplements (which > as tired as I am now are well needed). I will also bring in a stool sample > to check for blood as I don't want to worry that that could be a cause - > it is better to just know. The other thing the doctor said is that I am > a menstruating vegetarian woman and that can be a cause. Carmen your menstration has a little to do with some anemia, but the dr. might not have a clue about being vegan either. I suggest taking the herb yellow dock in tincture form. I reccomend it to all my clients who are pregnant. Feel free to email me if you have questions about it. Peace, Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2002 Report Share Posted September 12, 2002 Thankyou everyone for your responses! I will be going back in next week with my stool sample and another blood test - I am going to ask specifically that they check my B-12. I do want to know WHY my iron is low and why twice I have become anemic. I have struggled with low iron since my teenage years, way before I became a vegetarian. But I have no idea if I was anemic and for years I took iron supplements, so who knows. I went in in April and had my blood checked, the iron was low and I was supposed to take Floradix, but I realize now that I only took 1/4 of the bottle. I know all about misdiagnosed things. My doctor in Norway missed my roundworms, basal cell carcinoma on my face, and my anemia the first time (I had to request that she check my iron because I was feeling so run down and depressed). Anyway, I am dreading next week, but I know that it is indeed better to KNOW! Carmen US citizen in Thalwil (Zurich), Switzerland SAHM of Sam almost 7 & Aleksander 3 ml@h=US English, ML=Swiss & High German " Tolerance is withstanding people on our terms. Acceptance is embracing people on their terms. " -unknown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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