iron too low - ThinnerTimes

HAMPTON5555 · 09-05-2005, 09:06 PM

Well it seems my iron is too low and I am taking iron 325 every other day. I have not had stomach upset so I am happy for that.

I was wondering if any one knows what is the problem with having low iron?

I have always been border line, but now my numbers are quite a bit lower.

The range is 35-45 as being normal.
Most of my life i have been around 35,
now at 8 months post op I am 30.

I do feel tired, but what do I need to be concerned with?

Rain

JJ Girl · 09-07-2005, 07:32 AM

My iron was low at my last Dr. visit but Iwas still having problems with meat. I am taking a supplement until my next visit (3 more months) and then he said it should be fine now that I can tolerate more meat.

CiCi · 09-07-2005, 09:12 AM

I take an iron pill every day (but I'm not sure what the mg is). Maybe that would help (with the doc's okay)?

I thought they would make my tummy upset too, but I don't seem to have any problems.

CharMc · 09-07-2005, 09:21 AM

Hi Rain,

Here are some facts about low iron:

"The human body stores some iron to replace any that is lost. However, continual low iron can lead to a type of anemia. (See iron deficiency anemia.) This is the most common nutritional deficiency worldwide.

The symptoms of low iron include lack of energy, shortness of breath, headache, irritability, dizziness, or weight loss. Other symptoms include pica (the development of an appetite for unusual substances such as paper or clay products) and pacophagia (the development of an appetite for ice).

If you have constant tiredness, see your health care provider. There are many causes of such symptoms, and simply taking an iron supplement may not be enough."
---MedlinePlus

You need to talk with your doc or a nutritionist on how best to handle this problem. With our imposed dietary restrictions, we need to compensate for those items that become lacking in our systems. I came up short on beta-carotine (which converts to Vit. A and can cause blindness). Not a problem I need being an avid reader and librarian

So I'm eating apricots, sweet potatoes and spinach!

Attack and conquer, girl...

JohnsWife4Life · 09-07-2005, 09:45 AM

In post partum when we have a new mom that has low iron levels we give her 325 mg tid (three times a day). If you are only taking 325 every other day, you might try every day and see if that helps. You do need to bring your level up. What is your hemoglobin and hematacrit values? The shortness of breath comes from low hemoglobin, as the heme is what carries the oxygen to our tissues, but I don't think you said you had SOB. But that is a reason for shortness of breath. Anemia is very common, however pernicious anemia is the one that you need to get injections of B-12 for. Tjere are lots of veggies that give you iron too.

HAMPTON5555 · 09-11-2005, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOHNS_WIFE_4_LIFE

In post partum when we have a new mom that has low iron levels we give her 325 mg tid (three times a day). If you are only taking 325 every other day, you might try every day and see if that helps. You do need to bring your level up. What is your hemoglobin and hematacrit values? The shortness of breath comes from low hemoglobin, as the heme is what carries the oxygen to our tissues, but I don't think you said you had SOB. But that is a reason for shortness of breath. Anemia is very common, however pernicious anemia is the one that you need to get injections of B-12 for. Tjere are lots of veggies that give you iron too.

Traci,

Kelley said all the food in the world will not help me to absorb iron, due to the bypass.

Here are the numbers you asked for. I think??

hgb 9.7
hct 30.8

Does that help?

Rain