I was just wondering if anyone else has had or does have a problem with Anemia? I have had issues with it for over a year. I am taking high iron supplements and vitamins, trying to eat foods with lots of iron, but when I get my blood tested every 12 weeks there doesn't seem to be much of a change. I guess I am looking for any suggestions?
Physcially I am in the best shape I have been in years, except for the anemia. I am just wanting to not be tired all the time, and I also feel like it has had an impact on my moods.
I guess I never realized how being anemic can impact your daily life. Its very frustrating...

You could use a cast iron skillet. I just restored one that I found in my mother's attic and read online that it releases iron into your food.

Rebecca

What does your doctor say??

When you comsume foods high in iron, it helps to also consume foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron. For instance, eat a bowl of cereal that is high in iron and drink 100% pure orange juice with it.

What high iron foods are you eating? Do you check cereal boxes for the iron content?

Good luck!

She is having me take the extra iron pills, and I see her every three months to have my iron levels checked. I just had a complete physical a few weeks ago. She also sent me to have some tests done to make sure I didn't have fibroids, because my periods are so heavy (everything checked out fine). She feels at this point that the problem could be related to my heavy periods. She suggested I might want to go on the pill to help, but I am trying to avoid that because I also get occasional migraines, which are more frequent when I am on the pill. So, we are just taking it day to day at this point. I actually will be going in to have my blood work done again in a few weeks. I am hoping to see some changes, but I can almost tell.....nothing has changed because of the way I feel.

I have been dealing with anemia for nearly 23 years (since I was pregnant with my son). Right now also all my test came back as normal but I am taking 3 2 mg iron pills a day plus all the iron rich foods to even attempt to maintain a normal iron level.

Since your monthly's are heavy is there something BESIDES the pill she can do for you?

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I found out I was anemic about 2yrs ago, the same time I found out I have a thyroid problem and nerve damage in both my feet and legs. My Doc has me taking a multi w/iron and a 150 mg iron complex. I also have very heavy monthly's (always have) and wondered how much of an effect it's had on my iron level. It's probably about time I get mine checked again. The last time I had it checked (6 months - 1 year ago), she said I was in the low-normal range and she wanted me to continue taking the iron suppliment. She also has me on a Super B Complex for the nerve issue (which I think has really helped), plus I'm taking garlic, flax seed, cinnamon & calcium w/D. I've wondered if maybe another suppliment I'm taking has a cancelling effect on the iron (or any of the others), but I don't know where to find this out. When I grocery shop, I just try to compare products and chose the one with the higher iron and fiber, providing they're in the same price range.

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~~~MsMiser

I have been severely anemic for over 5 yrs - when I first went to see my doctor I had no idea what was wrong with me. I couldn't walk more than a few steps without gasping for air, was white as a sheet, and soooooo tired. After checking my blood, I found out I was almost totally depleted of iron and they wanted to do an iron infusion. I should have done it, but after hearing how painful the infusion was, I decided to try pills first. I started out taking two a day of Slow Release Iron, 50 mg each. I also got a B12 shot every month.

It has been a long, slow climb but my last blood test a couple weeks ago said I was just barely anemic. I now take one slow-release iron tablet each day, but will continue to get the B-12 every month. I missed a few months of the B-12 shot, and man did I feel it.

I don't think it is a quick fix unless you do the iron infusion, but you would still need to keep it up with the slow release iron pills and the B-12 shots.

I was also told that once I enter menopause the anemia should get better, and maybe it is because last summer I had a uterine fibroid embolization and my periods have been sparse since then.
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I thought of one other thing - my doctor recommended that I eat Total cereal - she said it has the highest iron content. I did eat it for a long time, but got totally sick of it!

I do check the cereal boxes, I eat Kashi products for cereal, and oatmeal. I also eat spinach often, and fruit. I try to eat some meat for protein. I am also taking Iron w/ferrous sulfate. 65 mg, twice a day! I appreciate some of the ideas mentioned.

make sure to take vitamin "C" with the iron to help with absortion(sp?) of the iron. That's what I was told when I was a teenager and severely anemic. Mine was due to very heavy, long and unpredictable periods. Mine cleared up when I finally went on the pill.
Judy

Vitamin B 12 is good for nervous system. People who do not eat meat have to be aware that they are not getting B-12. My husband was on a daily shot of B-12 for a while. Now it is once a month. He gives it to himself. The doctor said I should take one every couple of months.

You can buy little sublingual B12 tablets that are easy to take, and I thought they helped with depression, of all things. Mine are from Trader Joe's, and have B6 and folic acid, as well.

When you take your iron supplement, take it on an empty stomach, with orange juice for maximum absorption. You could also take a vitamin C tablet if you prefer.

Avoid Milk products, Calcium supplents, antacids, and coffee or tea for an hour before or 2 hours after the iron supplement. All of these items decrease iron absorption.

Anemia seems to affect many of my family members including myself. I have pernicious anemia (lack of vitamin b-12). I have to take a double dose (2cc) shot of b-12 every month (I give them to myself in my hip). My iron levels dropped when I was pregnant with my DD (16 years ago) and never seemed to rebound. In fact, they got worse. The levels were so low when I was first diagnosed that I was getting the b-12 shots weekly for almost two months to get within a normal range. Now, as long as I get my shot every month (I mark it on the calendar but I can tell when I am due---I ache all over and am tired all the time right before I am due a shot) I'm OK. My mother has this also. My grandmother has low iron levels from time to time and gets b-12 shots a few times a year but does not have pernicious anemia.

My uncle is in the process now of the iron infusions. He said it IS painful and at first, it made him sick with flu-like symptoms. He is on his 4th round and his levels aren't up to normal yet. They think he will have to have at least two more infusions.

I know that pernicious anemia is hereditary and I am guessing that other forms of anemia are as well. I was told that I will have to take the shots the rest of my life and that there is not enough liver (YUCK!) or b-12 tablets in the world to bring or keep my levels in the normal range. So...really it's no biggy. I take a shot once a month...it makes me feel better!

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I had been anemic for years and took iron supplements which did nothing. For years my level was so low my primary Dr tried to convince me to have an infusion. I resisted. Recently I had no choice because my oncologist wouldn't start me on chemo until I had an infusion. There was absolutely no pain (just very boring) it's just an IV that takes about 6 hours. She told me that I should be good for 7-10 years. Two weeks later I got my level tested I was in the normal range and must say that I actually had alot of energy and felt good. I have no idea why I fought years with my doctor to have the infusion, I thought the iron pills would work eventually and I had no idea how really fatigued I felt. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have waited so long to feel "normal".

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For the average person the pills work, but for people that have problems the shot is the only thing that will bring the B12 levels to normal.